UTSA engineering researchers receive $290K from USDA to study clean energy

UTSA researcher Krystel Castillo

By Christi Fish
Director of Communications

(Oct. 30, 2014) -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has awarded a four-year, $290,000 grant to Assistant Professor Krystel Castillo, Ph.D., Sc.D., in The University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Mechanical Engineering to support the Water Treatment, Agricultural-logistics and Renewable Energy (WeARE) systems project.

The project will establish a multidisciplinary platform to investigate new mathematical models, methods and optimization techniques applied to agricultural and biomass logistics, renewable bioenergy integration, production and technology, and water resources systems.

"I am particularly delighted that our project team will help students acquire knowledge to model, innovate and optimize agricultural supply chains, renewable bioenergy and water resources systems to meet the full range of human needs in a sustainable way," said Castillo, who will serve as the project's principal investigator.

According to Castillo, energy and water are intimately linked and have a vital role in the future of Texas and our nation.

"San Antonio is uniquely positioned as an emerging energy leader," she said. "To this end, the WeARE team will develop new courses and technical workshops to build the theoretical foundation in WeARE systems, partner with USDA agencies, and train and conduct outreach activities to nurture next-generation sustainable/green scientists and engineers."

The WeAre project team will include Castillo, UTSA Professor Frank Chen (mechanical engineering); UTSA Associate Professor Heather Shipley (civil and environmental engineering), and UTSA Assistant Professor Marcio Giacomoni (civil and environmental engineering).

"This interdisciplinary faculty team, with the support of the USDA, will develop the knowledge base, training, mentorship, outreach and partnership initiatives needed to support the professional development of our rising leaders here in the college," said JoAnn Browning, dean of the UTSA College of Engineering. "These researchers will positively impact society by enhancing the use of clean energy to support our nation's energy independence and security."

-------------------------------

Learn more about the research at the UTSA WeAre website and the UTSA College of Engineering website.

Connect online with UTSA on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Events

Friday, May 3, 11:30 a.m.

McNair Scholars' Spring Celebration

This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.

North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main Campus

Wednesday, May 15, 6:00 p.m.

Doctoral Conferral Ceremony

At this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.

Arts Building Recital Hall, Main Campus

Thursday, May 16, 3:00 p.m.

Roadrunner Walk

Roadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.

Student Union Paseo, Main Campus

Friday, May 17, 10:00 a.m.

Commencement: Ceremony One

Celebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Friday, May 17, 4:30 p.m.

Commencement: Ceremony Two

Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.

Alamodome, 100 Montana St.

Submit an Event

Spotlight

UTSA’s Mission

The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.

UTSA’s Vision

To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.

UTSA’s Core Values

We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.

UTSA’S Destinations

UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.