Fort Valley State University

Hundreds of policymakers, administrators, bioenergy experts and university researchers from the Southeast gathered in Tifton for the 2008 Southeast Bioenergy Conference from Aug. 12-14.

Dr. Surinder Gulia, a research professional at Fort Valley State University, attended this conference which included a daylong bioenergy industry tour.

“It was a good opportunity to attend this conference and learn about the research developments and status of bioenergy and bioethanol production in Georgia and the Southeast,” Gulia said.

Researchers discussed technology developments used to produce bioethanol, biodiesel and bioenergy from various biomass feedstocks ranging from starch fermentation, which comes from grain, to cellulosic biomass.

“It looks like Georgia is going to be the leader in bioenergy production research and development not only among Southeastern states but in the country,” Gulia said.

“I am very excited and enthused after attending this conference and industry tour. This is a vital research issue that coincides with our current research thrust. FVSU is currently engaged in research on ethanol production both from starch and cellulose-based feedstocks,” said Gulia, an expert in molecular biology and breeding for grasses. “Our emphasis is on genomic and molecular research to improve the potential feedstocks for higher yield and ethanol production efficiency.”