On December 4, 2024, the Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research representatives participated in a panel discussion entitled “Strengthening Nebraska’s Bioeconomy – Public & Private Partnership” as part of the annual Agricultural Research Division (ARD) Research Day conference held at the Innovation Campus. Dr. George Gogos, Energy Center Director, moderated the panel discussion along with Dr. Nicole Buan, UNL Professor of Biochemistry, who is a noted Energy Center funded researcher. Panelist Alan Dostal, Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) Associate Director of Research, spoke on the nearly two-decade partnership that NPPD has with UNL for energy-related research that engages with many aspects of the university’s research strengths.
Other panelists included Dawn Caldwell, Executive Director of Nebraska Renewable Fuels, Royce Schaneman, Executive Director of the Nebraska Wheat Board, Jan Bostelman, PE., PMP – Bostelman Engineering, LLC, and Andrew Dunkley - Deputy Director of Government Affairs & Public Policy, Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. After initial presentations/comments by the panelists, the moderators engaged the audience with a spirited question and answer session.
The event concluded with a Heuermann Lecture on “Industry & Sustainability: What next? And What’s next?” by Dr. Stephen Evans, Director of Research in Industrial Sustainability at the University of Cambridge, UK.