The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) at Iowa State University is an academia of faculty, staff and students immersed in nationally and internationally recognized chemical and biological research. It was formed in 1913 as one of the first chemical engineering departments in the country.<br>Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of scholarly literature in the area of study.<br>Form testable hypotheses and articulate research objectives that, when met, will lead to significant contributions to the field of study.<br>Conduct quantitative research via appropriate acquisition, analysis, and reporting of data.<br>Interpret research results appropriately, integrating them into the existing knowledge in the discipline.<br>Clearly and accurately communicate research findings orally and in writing.<br>Conduct independent scholarship in ways that consistently demonstrate ethical practice and professionalism.<br>Carbon-based molecules are the primary basis of the fuels, chemicals and materials required by society. The rise of the chemical engineering profession coincided with developing technology to convert fossil-derived carbon from oil, natural gas and coal to these valuable products. Biorenewables research is developing analogous technologies that instead use biomass-derived carbon. While the chemical engineering principles refined from fossil-derived carbon have direct applicability to this alternative carbon source, new technologies are required for the distinctly different characteristics of biomass-based feedstocks. New breakthroughs are needed in protein engineering, synthetic biology, microbial metabolic engineering, systems biology, separations, reaction engineering, and catalysis to utilize biomass.