Welcome to the Vasco Bioeco Lab
We work to develop a sustainable bioeconomy that adds value to biomass and waste resources and uses the power of photosynthesis for decarbonization
The PI
Juliana Vasco-Correa
Assistant Professor
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Penn State. I am a biological engineer, a scientist, and a systems thinker.
My lab uses process systems engineering tools to develop and analyze integrated biosystems for the valorization of biomass resources and the upcycling of waste streams.
Our research
Advance bioprocessing
We develop solid-state microbial systems to deconstruct biomass, convert organic matter into fuels and chemicals, and mitigate contaminants.
Process systems engineering
We use tools such as process modeling, techno-economic analysis, optimization, and life cycle assessment to analyze integrated biorefineries and agricultural systems.
Bio-based solutions for climate change
We design and analyze sustainable integrated biorefineries and other bio-based solutions to remove and capture greenhouse gas emissions.
Bioeconomies for a sustainable future
We develop sustainable biorefining processes that transform bio-based resources into products for the food, bioenergy, and biomaterials sectors. Our goal is to add value while harnessing the power of agriculture to generate carbon-negative bioproducts.
The power of biomass
Photosynthesis removes tens of gigatons of CO2 per year from the atmosphere, which we can harness through agriculture and forestry to produce raw materials for the food, fiber, and energy industries.
Complex systems
In biorefining, complex engineering systems at multiple scales converge, from microbial fluxes to supply chains. Understanding the interconnectedness of those systems is fundamental to ensure the resilience of the bioeconomy.
