I am currenty the Grant Program Manager in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering and for the South Central Sun Grant Program and the Biobased Products and Energy Center at OSU. I am also teaching at the Environmental Science Undergraduate Program. I am a holder of a B.S. degree in Agriculture from the Visayas State College of Agirculture (now Visayas state University in Leyte, Philippines), M.S. degree in Botany from the University of the Philippines, and a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the North Carolina State University.

Research Interests:

Plant Ecophysiology

Dr. Hasan Atiyeh is a Professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Oklahoma State University. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Ottawa, Canada, and has broad academic and industrial experience in bioprocess engineering, fermentation, carbon capture, reactor design, hydrogen production, and process scale-up. Dr. Atiyeh has published over 65 journal articles, three book chapters, and delivered 200+ presentations. He holds four U.S. patents and 13 additional applications. His research has received over $5.7 million in funding from agencies including NSF, USDA-NIFA, EPA, Sun Grant, OCAST, NSERC, KACST, and SABIC. He is a senior member of AIChE, and a member of ASABE and ASEE, and is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ontario, Canada.

Research Interests: Dr. Atiyeh’s research focuses on the development of innovative conversion technologies for the production of fuels and chemicals, supporting key sectors such as energy, biotechnology, food, chemical, and environmental industries. His work emphasizes:

• Bioprocess development for converting gases, sugars, and waste materials into biofuels and biochemicals
• Utilization of novel microorganisms and biocatalysts
• Process modeling, simulation, reactor design, and scale-up
• Carbon capture and utilization
• Water treatment, reuse, and minimizing water use in processing

His research integrates lab experimentation with process modeling to pioneer sustainable solutions. His team is a leader in the development of hybrid gasification–syngas fermentation technologies and other cutting-edge bioconversion processes at OSU, with the goal of advancing the biorefinery industry as a complement to the petroleum-based economy.

Dr. Bach is an Professor at OSU MAE, conducting industry relevant research in HVAC&R systems and components. His focus is heat pumps and their components and controls. Current projects include heat exchanger testing and simulation, compressor testing and simulation, as well as transitioning an updated defrostign controls algorithm to the industry sponsor.

He received his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 2014 and his Dipl.-Ing.(FH) from the University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Experience outside OSU includes working for Cool Expert GmbH and MIPack GmbH & Co.KG as well as internships at Siemens ICN in Germany and Minus 40 Pty. Ltd. in Australia.

He served as committee member or mentor for over 20 graduate students and mentored over 20 undergraduate class projects. He is an active member of ASHRAE and co-adviser for the OSU student branche of ASHRAE.

I am currently the department head of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at Oklahoma State University, and started my new responsibilities and role in January 2021. Prior to joining Oklahoma State, I was a Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at North Carolina State University and had established a well-recognized research program in development of integrated biomass production and conversion systems for biofuels and bioproducts since joining that faculty in 2003. I completed my BS (1998) in Biological Systems Engineering at UC Davis and earned my MS (2000) and PhD (2003) in Biosystems Engineering from the University of Kentucky. I have led and collaborated on several multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional projects securing over $11.5 million dollars in funding prior to 2021 and supported an active team of research associates, post-doctoral scholars, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers. I provided instruction for undergraduate and graduate education and through academic, research, and student organization advising have mentored students on the importance of professional development, leadership, teamwork, interpersonal communication, life-long learning, and commitment to civic service. As an extension of my research activities, I engaged in multiple outreach opportunities with constituencies outside the university including local, regional, national and international stakeholders.

Research Interests:

I continue to support a well-recognized, functioning program in biological engineering with an emphasis in bioprocessing and bioproducts that integrates both lab and field operations and is relevant, dynamic and engaging to the constituents within the southeastern US, nationally and in some cases internationally. My research program involves the production of biofuels and value-added products from renewable biomass and I have initiated projects as the lead PI that range from basic to applied research and that encompass a number of different bioprocess engineering expertise areas, including aerobic and anaerobic fermentation technology, enzymatic hydrolysis, extraction, analytical and near-infrared spectrophotometric method development, gasification, reactor design, instrumentation and control, biomass harvest, storage and scale-up operations. I have experience assembling multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional research teams and developing large grants to address bioenergy and energy sustainability challenges related to biomass feedstock improvement, biomass production and supply chain development, biofuel and bioproducts processing, on-farm systems, and environmental, economic and life cycle impact of bioenergy systems. My experience and training in engineering, and the life and agricultural sciences has allowed me to effectively interface with ag/life scientists and engineers, identify unique opportunities for collaboration and synthesize innovative directions to solve real problems. The applied aspects of my research program have given me broad perspectives in engaging stakeholders and farmers while appreciating their needs in the development of useful solutions and technologies. In addition to research, many of the large proposals I have led and participated in involve development of educational and extension programming.

Heterogeneous Catalysis; Reaction Engineering; Nanoporous Materials; Catalyst Design; Zeolite; Sustainable Chemical Process; Hydrogen Technology; Chemical Sensor; Biomass Conversion; Environmental Remediation

Dr. Mary Foltz joined the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Oklahoma State University as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2021. Her focus area is Environmental Engineering and her research group investigates greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability, agricultural nutrient cycling, passive treatment systems for biogeochemical water treatment, and nature-inspired solutions to environmental issues. Her team incorporates multiphase contaminant transformations and uses a combination of field, lab, and modeling at different scales to accomplish research goals.

Research Interests:

Agricultural nutrient loss
Greenhouse gas emissions
Multiphase biogeochemistry
Multiscale modeling
Nutrient cycling
Passive treatment systems

Sustainability

Dr. Frazier joined the department in June 2008 and currently has a teaching and extension appointment. He comes from the OSU Industrial Engineering Department where he was a visiting assistant professor teaching both upper division and graduate-level IEM courses. He was also the Assistant Director of the OSU Industrial Assessment Center. His Extension, Teaching and Applied Research focus on energy and resource management in the agricultural and commercial/industrial sector. He is involved in extension activities that educate stakeholders in residential and commercial energy usage, biofuel technologies and sustainability. A major focus since 2015 has been the energy and water delivery efficiency of irrigation systems in Oklahoma. In conjunction with resource management he conducts Life Cycle Assessment studies to determine the sustainability of various ag-processes and products. He also teaches university classes on engineering fundamentals and energy systems.

Research Interests:

Energy Management
Renewable Energy Systems
Life Cycle Assessment
Irrigation Efficiency
Decision Science

Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics
Assistant Director & McLaughlin Family Endowed Chair, OSU Food & Agricultural Products Center

Education:
1997: Ph.D., Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University
1991: B.S., Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M University

Dr. Rodney Holcomb is a Professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics and the Charles B. Browning Endowed Professor of Food Studies with the Food & Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) at Oklahoma State University. He has been on the faculty at Oklahoma State University since March 1997. His research interests lie in the areas of value-added manufacturing economics and market evaluations. His goals are to identify economically feasible activities and business structures for adding value to regional agricultural commodities, along with determining the impacts of these activities on local and state economies. From 2020 through 2022, he served as director of the Oklahoma SBDC Data Center, overseeing the collection of market and industry data for small businesses planning their growth in Oklahoma. He is an appointed board member for Oklahoma AgCredit and chairs the audit committee for that association. He is also the instructor of two Agribusiness Management courses, in which students develop business/marketing plans for Oklahoma companies as their class projects.

The primary technical services he provides are food business trainings, industry analyses, market evaluations, and venture feasibility assessments. His programs have received awards from commodity organizations, professional associations, industry groups, the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma State University, and the Oklahoma Governor's office. He has also received the USDA Plow Honor Award for Exceptional Service, the highest award given by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Research Interests:

Agribusiness Development
Commodity Organizations and Cooperatives

Process systems engineering, sustainability, digital agriculture, industrial decarbonization, food-energy-water nexus

I am a natural resource social scientist having interdisciplinary training in forestry and applied economics. My work integrates concepts and approaches from social psychology, human dimensions research, economics, and regional science to address issues critical to natural resource management and policy development.

Research Interests:

- Ecosystem Services valuation of forest and other natural resources
- Human dimensions and economics related issues in natural resources
- Wood-based and other renewable energy issues
- Wildlife and energy economics

Food safety is a critical aspect of public health and global food systems, ensuring that the food we consume is free from harmful pathogens and contaminants. Professor Peter Muriana, a distinguished academic affiliated with Purdue University and Oklahoma State University, has made significant contributions to advancing food safety through his research, teaching, and outreach efforts.

Professor Muriana's work focuses on food microbiology, particularly the study of foodborne pathogens and interventions to mitigate their risks. His research has explored innovative strategies, such as the use of lactic acid bacteria and biopreservatives, to enhance food safety. These approaches aim to reduce the prevalence of pathogens like Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, which pose serious threats to human health.

At Oklahoma State University, Professor Muriana has been instrumental in conducting validation studies for food safety processes. These studies not only benefit the food industry but also provide hands-on learning opportunities for students. His mentorship has helped shape the careers of many graduates who now hold positions in food microbiology labs, quality control, and HACCP management.

Beyond academia, Professor Muriana collaborates with food processors to improve safety protocols and ensure consumer protection. His work spans various food products, including poultry, deli meats, and ready-to-eat items. By bridging the gap between research and practical applications, he has contributed to safer food production practices 

The significance of Professor Muriana's research lies in its impact on both public health and the food industry. By addressing critical food safety challenges, his work helps prevent foodborne illnesses, supports regulatory compliance, and fosters consumer trust. His dedication to education and outreach further amplifies the importance of food safety as a shared responsibility. In conclusion, Professor Peter Muriana's contributions exemplify the vital role of research in advancing food safety. His efforts not only protect public health but also inspire future generations to continue the pursuit of safer food systems. 

Professor Peter Muriana has conducted numerous studies in the field of food safety. Here are some examples of his research:

1. Bacteriocins of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB). Numerous studies showing the presence of bacteriocin-producing LAB in retail foods, their ability to inhibit foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Clostridium) and how use of multiple bacteriocins, each with a different mode-of-action on pathogens could enhance antimicrobial activity when combined and applied as an antimicrobial intervention.
2. Microbial Profiling of Biltong Processing: This study analyzed the microbiome of biltong (dried beef) processing using both culture-dependent and culture-independent methods.
3. Validation of Air-Dried Beef (Biltong, Droewors) Processing: Research focused USDA-FSIS designated 'knowledge gaps' in air-dried beef research. Dr. Muriana's group achieved a 5-log reduction of Salmonella, STEC E. coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus on biltong without a heat lethality step and the contribution of individual marinade components pathogen reduction.
4. Sanitizer Efficacy: Evaluated the effectiveness of commercial sanitizers in food processing facilities for inactivating biofilms of pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella. Demonstrated the isolation of multiple alkaliphillic bacteria isolated from biofilms on worksers boots as the result of continuous use of same type of sanitizer (BiQuat) in food processing facilities and the need to alternate types of sanitizers. 
5. Natural Nitrite Production: Explored the use of nitrate-reducing bacteria to convert vegetable-derived nitrate into natural nitrite for food applications. Demonstrated that vegetable-derived nitrite was effective in prohibiting spore germination by Clostridium spp. in hotdogs.
6. Pre- and Post-Package Pasteurization of Deli Meats. One of the pioneers in research on deli meat surface pasteurization as a post-process lethality treatment that was cited by USDA-FSIS as treatments that could render RTE meats more safe. These processes targeted the inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes on deli meat products which has been notorious for re-contamination issues in meat processing plants.

Dr. Francisco M. Ochoa Corona is a Professor at the Institute for Biosecurity & Microbial Forensics (IBMF) and the Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, since August 2008. Dr. Ochoa Corona is a forensic plant pathologist specializing in the development and delivery of reference diagnostics for exotic, naturalized, and indigenous plant viruses, as well as other phytopathogens relevant to agricultural biosecurity and microbial forensics. His work applies to plant pathogens, and recently to animal, public health, and waterborne plant viruses and insects that can be intercepted at borders or detected through general surveillance of field settings or within transitional facilities. Ochoa Corona's research in plant pathology contributes scientific input to regulatory officials regarding plant health emergencies and focuses on targeted aspects of forensic plant pathology that are relevant to agricultural biosecurity in Oklahoma, the southern plains, the United States, and other regions of the world, such as the South Pacific and Central and South America. Dr. Ochoa Corona joined OSU from the Investigation and Diagnostic Centre (IDC) at Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ), a branch of the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), formerly Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), where he served as Principal Adviser in Virology.

Research Interests:

The research in my laboratory focuses on developing, innovating, and improving tools for collecting microbial specimens applicable in biosecurity and microbial forensics. I lead my team in developing and improving detection, discrimination, and diagnostic platforms for microbes and insects. My research also aims to identify molecular landmarks and signatures of value for detection, as well as the implications of this genetic data on taxonomic relationships, including host-pathogen associations, waterborne plant viruses, arthropods, animals, and public health. Also, the use of plant pathogens as surrogates for biomedicine applications. My research output is applied to regional pests overseas, regulated organisms, select agents, or high-consequence microorganisms. My team has been developing solutions for wheat and Poaceae crops, citrus, grapevines, pome fruit trees, roses, chrysanthemums, ornamentals, and addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. My research program is also interested in developing decision-support tools for prioritization, emergency management, and the prediction of biosecurity threats. We are also interested in monitoring the dynamics of relevant plant pathogens, tracking their pathways and global dispersal routes, and delimiting their biogeographic distribution.

Research Philosophy:
The way I understand and teach research defines "Invention as the occurrence of an idea for a new product or process, while innovation is the attempt to carry it out into practice" (Jan Fagerberg, Innovation: A Guide to the Literature": "The Many Guises of Innovation: What we have learned and where we are heading", Ottawa, October 23-24.2003). Therefore, I distinguish innovation from invention, and understand both are dynamic, time-lapsed, and that both are core-complementing processes of creativity. The invention is the idea, and innovation is the realization of the invention. In practice, my research program involves solving its own or given problems and innovating its own or given ideas. The application of these concepts enables my team to be an effective and flexible science provider. Similarly, I believe extraordinary ideas are out of the ordinary, and even if they appear conventional, extravagant, or 'silly', it is never put away immediately, but given equal consideration and analysis. As a consequence, we prioritize ideas, some are innovated and some others archived, 'further munched' then innovated at the right time.

Dr. Ochsner is originally from Chattanooga, Oklahoma. He earned a B.S. in Environmental Science at OSU in 1998. He then studied Soil Science and Water Resources at Iowa State University, earning a M.S. in 2000 and a Ph.D. in 2003. From 2003 through 2008, he worked as a soil scientist for the USDA Agricultural Research Service in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2008, he joined OSU as a faculty member in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences. He helps lead OSU's Rural Renewal Initiative and also participates in the OSU Fellowship of Christian Faculty and Staff. The mission of his soil physics research and teaching program is to help people better understand and appreciate the soil, the soil water balance, and the surface energy balance so that we can more wisely manage and conserve the land and water with which we have been entrusted. The primary focus is on multi-scale soil moisture monitoring and improved utilization of soil moisture data in agriculture, hydrology, and ecology.

Research Interests:
* soil science
* water resources
* physics
* agriculture
* environmental science
* coupled human-natural systems
* rural renewal