Ben Heavner

Motivated by a strong interest in sustainability, I'm interested in applying biological processes to biomass conversion. I'm particularly interested in optimizing fermentations (and fermentors) for the production of ethanol from cellulosic feedstocks. At the moment, I'm learning to build and use genome-scale computer models of yeast (aka systems biology).

This semester (Spring 2008), I'll be continuing coursework (numerical analysis and metabolic engineering this semester) along with my ongoing research efforts.

Cornell coursework to date: BIOBM 331 – Biochemistry
BEE 671 – Subsurface Flow
BIOBM 440 – Biochemistry Lab
BEE 450 – Bioinstrumentation
CHEME 543 – Bioprocess Engineering
BIOGD 280 – Genetics

I've gone a bit Wiki-crazy, and have made the following resources for research collaborators:

• Walker Group Wiki - for the Walker Laboratory Group to use.
• Research Wiki - to keep track of my own research.
• Systems Biology Wiki - for group work relating to systems biology.
• Cellulost Wiki - for a group trying to understand cellulose.

In addition to this website, my wife and I share a personal site at gretchen-and-ben.com, mostly to share pictures with our friends and family.