Research Roadmapping
EBRC’s Research Roadmapping efforts create ambitious and visionary technical research roadmaps that identify priority areas for research over the next two decades. The roadmaps provide a point of convergence and discussion for companies, universities, policymakers, funding bodies, and the broader society as to the advancement, impact, and applications of engineering biology. Led by the Roadmapping Working Group, EBRC roadmaps set forth technical research goals that, when achieved, will be integral to solving broad societal challenges including energy resilience, sustainable food production, addressing and mitigating climate change, and combating disease and ill-health. The Working Group informs the community about challenges and the potential of engineering biology, guides better-coordinated efforts throughout the U.S. government to fund and expand engineering biology research, and brings new stakeholders into the engineering biology community. EBRC’s roadmapping is an “evergreen” activity; we endeavor to honor the acceleration of science and technology advancement through the ongoing creation of deep-dive and cross-cutting roadmaps and through assessment and renewal of our existing roadmaps.
Check out EBRC’s published roadmaps!
Interactive roadmaps available at https://roadmap.ebrc.org
View the Roadmaps →
Current Programs & Activities
In 2025-2026, we will be focusing on efforts to support the implementation and strengthen the impact of EBRC’s six published technical research roadmaps. Initiatives will identify and address challenges and opportunities for engineering biology technology translation and bottlenecks to application, scale-up, and commercialization. Please contact us at roadmapping@ebrc.org to learn more.
Published Roadmaps
Check out EBRC’s published roadmaps at roadmap.ebrc.org!
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Engineering Biology for Space Health (October 2024)
EBRC’s newest technical research roadmap describes opportunities for advancement in engineering biology to support the health and well-being of humans in space and related applications here on Earth.
More →
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Engineering Biology for Climate & Sustainability (September 2022)
A Research Roadmap for a Cleaner Future
More →
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Engineering Biology & Materials Science (January 2021)
A Research Roadmap for Interdisciplinary Innovation
More →
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Microbiome Engineering (October 2020)
A Research Roadmap for the Next-Generation Bioeconomy
More →
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Enabling Defense Applications through Engineering Biology (June 2020)
A Technical Roadmap
More →
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Engineering Biology (June 2019)
A Research Roadmap for the Next-Generation Bioeconomy
More →
Working Group
The Roadmapping Working Group is responsible for leading the technical research roadmapping efforts for EBRC and the engineering biology community. The Roadmapping Working Group hosts a variety of activities designed to seek insight and input from EBRC members and the broader engineering biology community to build and update the EBRC roadmaps.
CHAIR: MICHAEL KÖPKE
STAFF DIRECTOR: EMILY AURAND
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Adam Arkin
University of California, Berkeley
Professor
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Emily Aurand
EBRC
Senior Director of Roadmapping and Education
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Nils Averesch
University of Florida
Assistant Professor
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Council Member
Mark Blenner
University of Delaware
Associate Professor
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Council Member
Nicole Buan
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Professor
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James Carothers
University of Washington
Assistant Professor
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Erin Garza
J. Craig Venter Institute
Staff Scientist
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Council Member
Karmella Haynes
Emory University
Associate Professor
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Chelsea Hu
Texas A&M University
ACES Assistant Professor
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Miguel Jimenez
Boston University
Assistant Professor
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Council Member
Lauren Junker
BASF
Innovation Scout
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Ross Klauer
University of Delaware
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Council Member
Michael Koepke
LanzaTech
Director
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Daniela Matias de Carvalho Bittencourt
Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology
Researcher
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Council Member
Romel Menacho
Roke Biotechnologies
CSO
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Sara Molinari
University of Maryland College Park
Assistant Professor
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Council Member
Tae Seok Moon
J. Craig Venter Institute
Professor
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Council Member
Jean Peccoud
Colorado State University
Professor, Abell Chair in Synthetic Biology
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Pamela Peralta-Yahya
Georgia Institute of Technology
Professor
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Kristala Prather
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Arthur D. Little Professor
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Elibio Rech
National Institute of S&T in Synthetic Biology/EMBRAPA
Dr.
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Efrain Rodriguez-Ocasio
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Lynn Rothschild
Brown University
Professor (Adjunct)
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Council Member
Howard Salis
Pennsylvania State University
Associate Professor
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Aaron Schaller
MeliBio, Inc
CTO and Co-founder
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Council Member
Kevin Solomon
University of Delaware
Assistant Professor
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Vikramaditya Yadav
The University of British Columbia
Professor
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Eric Young
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Associate Professor
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Council Member
Jesse Zalatan
University of Washington
Associate Professor
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