I earned my doctoral degree in Chemistry and Chemical Biology from Rutgers University, and I currently work as a postdoctoral researcher associate at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the field of bioeconomy and industrial-scale fermentation. My current work focuses on leveraging biological processes to create environment friendly and sustainable solutions for large-scale industrial applications, bridging innovation with practical impact.
Bojing Jiang is a Ph.D. candidate in Biomedical Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, with a focus on developing protein-based materials for biomedical and environmental applications. Her research integrates synthetic biology, materials science, and tissue engineering to create innovative biomaterials for regenerative medicine, drug delivery, and micro-nanofabrication. Bojing’s work emphasizes sustainability and biocompatibility, leveraging fully protein-based materials to design eco-friendly alternatives with enhanced functionality.
She has contributed to groundbreaking projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including materials for neuron regeneration, vascular repair, and wound healing. Bojing has published in high-impact journals such as Science Advances and Advanced Functional Materials, with her research recognized for its role in advancing green and scalable nanofabrication techniques using protein-based resists.
In addition to her technical expertise, Bojing excels in protein design, gene editing, fermentation, and biomaterials characterization, with a commitment to developing solutions that bridge scientific innovation and real-world impact. She is passionate about contributing to the next generation of healthcare technologies while advancing sustainability in the field of biomedical engineering.
This is an invitation-only event.
Building on the success of the previous EBRC Global Forum events, the third Forum will be held in March 2025 at the J. Craig Venter Institute in La Jolla, California. This summit will continue the important work of bringing together global leaders to advance national engineering biology roadmaps and bioeconomy strategies.
Over the course of two days, participants will engage in dialogue on the latest developments, opportunities for collaboration, and the evolving challenges facing the field. As with previous Forums, the event will provide an invite-only, not-for-attribution environment, encouraging candid discussions among representatives from across the globe.
Key agenda topics will include:
The Forum will take place at the J. Craig Venter Institute in La Jolla, California. Known for its leadership in genomics and engineering biology, the Institute will be a fitting setting for these critical discussions. Additional details about accommodations, including discounted rates at nearby hotels, will be shared with attendees.
Participants are expected to cover their own travel and accommodation costs. EBRC will work to secure discounted room blocks at nearby hotels, with further details forthcoming. Limited financial assistance may be available on a case-by-case basis for attendees requiring support. Stay tuned for more information on travel logistics and accommodation options.
Dr. Sara Molinari graduated from the Systems, Synthetic and Physical Biology Ph.D. program at Rice University with a thesis on programming differentiation in bacteria. This work enabled the creation of a novel pattern formation by physically separating genetically distinct cells. As a postdoctoral researcher, she created the first de novo macroscopic living material that grows from engineered bacteria. This work presents the only genetically encoded synthetic matrix that hierarchically assembles cells over four orders of magnitude and allows the genetic control of ELM mechanical and catalytic properties. In her laboratory in the Department of Bioengineering at The University of Maryland College Park, she investigates the design rules for engineering de novo ELMs from different bacteria to enable a wide array of applications. Sara is a full member of the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society, a 2022 Distinguished Young Scholar (UWDYSS), a 2022 BME Future Faculty, and a rising star at the SynBYSS seminar series.
Wheaton Schroeder is a new Assistant Professor at Washington State University in the Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering (started in August 2024). His research lab specializes in computational metabolic modeling (often referred to as genome-scale modeling) with various applications. Emerging applications in his research includes studying neurometabolic coupling (through the Astrocyte-Neuron Lactate Shuttle) including its role in seizures and designing an inducible cyanobacteria bioproduction platform leveraging the heterogeneity in photobioreactors for division of labor. Previous to his current position, Wheaton was most recently a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the Pennsylvania State University advised by Costas D. Maranas (for three years). In this position, his research, still in systems biology, was funded by the Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI). In CBI, his research focused on fundamental understanding of the target organism for consolidated bioprocessing, Clostridium thermocellum, and improved phenotype of process feedstock, Populus tricocarpa. In this role, he worked closely with synthetic biologists for hypothesis testing and model validation. Wheaton earned his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, advised by Rajib Saha. In his doctoral studies, Wheaton applied mathematical modeling to designing and modeling genetic circuits, creating a lifecycle model for the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, studying fungal melanogenesis, and studying nitrogen-stressed maize root metabolism, among other application. Given this diversity of application, his thesis was entitled “Creation and Application of Various Tools for the Reconstruction, Curation, and Analysis of Genome-Scale Models of Metabolism”, defended in June of 2021. Wheaton earned a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering and Mathematics at Iowa State University in May of 2015.
The Johns Hopkins University’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering seeks applicants for a tenure-track faculty position. Candidates with research and teaching interests in Synthetic Biology and Artificial Living Systems relevant to chemical and biomolecular engineering will be considered.
Candidates in these areas will contribute to the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Johns Hopkins University community and mission to educate tomorrow’s leaders in ChemBE and pioneer technological advancements to address critical global challenges in energy, materials design, and precision medicine, to build a stronger, cleaner, and healthier future.
Candidates in Synthetic Biology will seek to build living systems and components of living systems that address our greatest sustainability and bioproduction challenges in climate, chemicals, energy, food, and the environment in order to shape the green and circular economies of the 21st century. Candidates may also have a secondary thrust of applying synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, artificial biological systems, ML/AI, systems biology and other approaches to biomedical areas such immunology, virology, and cell therapies to continue building on our current strengths at Johns Hopkins University.
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is highly collaborative with an established track record of national leadership and developing new disciplines within chemical and biomolecular engineering. The Department has large, vibrant educational programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and Ph.D. levels as well as post-doctoral level. This past year, Johns Hopkins announced a major new investment in data science and the exploration of artificial intelligence that will be included in a new data science and translation institute, a new state-of-the-art facility and recruitment of 110 new faculty over the next five years. The institute will bring together world-class experts in artificial intelligence, machine learning, applied mathematics, computer engineering, and computer science to fuel data-driven discovery in support of research activities across the institution including within the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department.
In addition to its role in this initiative, the department is a leader in other major research centers and institutes at Johns Hopkins, including the Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI), the Institute for Nanobiotechnology (INBT), the Advanced Mammalian Biomanufacturing Innovation Center (AMBIC), International Biomanufacturing Network (IBIoNe), MINDS (Mathematical Institute for Data Science), the Maryland Area Research Computing Center (MARCC), the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute (HEMI). Faculty also collaborate frequently with scholars in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Applied Physics Laboratory, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences.
Applicants should have a Ph.D. in chemical and biomolecular engineering or a related field, a track record of outstanding research, and a commitment to excellence in education and student mentoring. The Johns Hopkins Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering recognizes the value and experience of individuals of different backgrounds. The Department and Johns Hopkins University are strongly dedicated to fostering an inclusive, diverse, and welcoming environment for all faculty, staff, and students, and to improving and sustaining equitable structures throughout our community.
Priority will be given to applications received before 12/2/2024, however applications will be accepted through 12/31/2024. http://apply.interfolio.com/156559
Leo Green is an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Purdue University. His research program converges DNA nanotechnology, microbiome engineering, and computational models to design bacterial theanostics.
Publication Date: December 2024