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VERSION:2.0
METHOD:PUBLISH
PRODID:-//Virginia Tech//VTCalendar//EN
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20251110T211000Z
UID:AAAOxXAAVAADjNcAAV@thor.lawrence.edu
CATEGORIES:Speakers
DTSTART:20251110T211000Z
DTEND:20251110T222000Z
SUMMARY:Recent Advances in Biology Lecture Series - Romare 
 Antrobus, PHD
ORGANIZER;CN="Biology Department":
 about:blank
DESCRIPTION:
 Speaker: Romare Antrobus, PhD\n
 Post-Doctoral Research Scientist at Fashion Institute 
 of Technology\n
 \n
 Title: Building Better with Biology: Biofabrication 
 of Microbial Nanocellulose for Advanced Biomaterials 
 in Textile and Tissue Engineering\n
 \n
 Abstract:\n
 A bold vision of our future is that all human-made 
 products emulate nature's circular life cycle 
 by demonstrating tunable, high functional performance 
 and being fully regenerative or degradable at 
 the end of service. Traditional manufacturing, 
 rooted in cradle-to-grave linear production models 
 that rely on the extraction of finite resources 
 and chemically-intensive processes, drives global 
 climate change, wastewater and microplastic pollution, 
 and generates large volumes of nondegradable waste, 
 thereby compromising both human and planetary 
 health. Biofabrication has emerged across industries, 
 facilitating the transition from an environmentally 
 destructive linear economy to a circular economy. 
 Inspired by the regenerative potential of nature, 
 this presentation will highlight microbial biosynthesis 
 of nanofibril cellulose for the sustainable development 
 of non-medical and medical biomaterials. By controlling 
 biosynthesis and integrating sustainability considerations 
 into polymer processing strategies, I will showcase 
 research that regulates bacterial metabolism and 
 tailors the material properties of engineered 
 nanocellulose to meet performance goals for textile 
 and tissue engineering applications. Currently, 
 this research is transitioning from lab to market 
 with Roseau, a New York-based startup that leverages 
 the power of microbes to engineer PFAS- and microplastic-free 
 home-compostable packaging. Throughout the presentation 
 I will highlight firsthand insights into the challenges 
 and opportunities of commercializing sustainable 
 biomaterials and explore pathways for entrepreneurship 
 in biotechnology.\n\n
 Price: n/a\n

LOCATION:Warch Campus Center 204 - Cinema
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