---

Field tour

---

Led by Dr. John King, Dr. Maricar Aguilos, Dr. Tevor Walker, Miko Lorenzo Belgado and Mariano Habagat,  the filed tour was supported by the Bioenergy Research Initiative/Emerging Crops Programs of North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and highlighted key research efforts in forestry and biomass production in North Carolina. Attendees explored the  Butner Long-Term Field Trial (BLTFT) with American Sycamore, learning about its history, experimental methods, and growth results. The tour also featured the  Biomass Pine program, showcasing the NCSU Industry-Supported Cooperative Tree Improvement Program’s work to enhance pine productivity. Participants then visited the  Umstead Forest Mixed Pine-Hardwood Eddy Covariance Experiment, where methods and results from flux tower measurements, as part of the USDA Forest Service and US DOE Ameriflux Programs, provided insights into forest carbon dynamics and ecosystem performance. The tour concluded with transportation to the  Oxford Tobacco Research Station, showcasing innovative research in sycamore, miscanthus, and biochar applications.

---

Conference Highlights

---

Over two days of sessions and discussion, we explored MASBio’s legacy and future through:

3 Keynote Presentations:

• Opportunities and Challenges in the Biomass Industry – Rachel Burton, ProcessWerx
• Science, Policy, and Partnerships: Advancing the Next Generation of Biobased Solutions – Dr. Tim Rials, University of Tennessee
• Biomass + AI: Fueling a Data-Driven Future – Clarence Neese, Orbis

5 Panel Discussions on feedstock logistics, value-added bioproducts, emerging technologies, AI, and the future workforce

23 Student Poster Presentations, showcasing innovation and collaboration from across the MASBio network.

---

Key Takeaways

• Strengthen collaboration with  industry partners and stakeholders
• Advance  marketing and commercialization of biomass innovations
• Invest in  next-generation leaders and education for the future
• Embrace  emerging technologies and AI for data-driven solutions
• Expand  grants, support, and hands-on workshops
• Address  uncertainties to strengthen the bioeconomy

---

---

MASBio's 2025 Annual Meeting was held on September 10-12th in SUNY-ESF, Syracuse, NY. The agenda included a field trip, highlights of MASBio task groups, stakeholder engagement, and industry partners panel discussion, breakout sessions, student panel and poster sessions, and other interaction activities.  

On September 10, attendees had a tour at SUNY ESF in Tully, NY, featuring discussions on chestnut and willow research, including the longest-running willow trial in the U.S. and transgenic American chestnuts with enhanced blight tolerance. The group also visited the Solvay site for a solar panel overview and explored willow evapotranspiration covers.

"Signifying MASBio Deliverables for the Regional Bioeconomic Impacts"

On Wednesday, activities began with a welcome from Dr. Jingxin Wang, Dr. Tim Volk, and Christopher Nowak SUNY ESF's Forest Resources Management, followed by presentations highlighting MASBio Technical Groups (TGs). Breakout sessions focused on "Ripple Effects".  The panel discussion covered policy and socio-economic perspectives of growing a regional bioeconomy, featuring experts:

• Marissa Jordan, Senior Behavioral Scientist, Evidn, NY, USA
• Danielle Kloster, Assistant Professor, Department of Sustainable Resources Management, SUNY-ESF
• Tristan Brown, Director of the Bioeconomy Development Institute and Associate Professor, Department of Sustainable Resources Management, SUNY-ESF, Task Group 4 Sustainability Lead
• Tim Volk, Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Sustainable Resources Management, SUNY-ESF, Lead of Task Group 2 Harvesting Logistics

Participants engaged in breakout sessions on stakeholder interactions and concurrent discussions on MASBio's work and impacts, while students had one-on-one interactions with faculty. The day wrapped up with a poster session and dinner.

Poster Session Graduate Student Competition Winners:

• First Place: Mica Keck, PhD student at NC State University.
• Second Place: Gundeep Kaur, PhD student at SUNY-ESF.
• Third Place: Piumi Jayalath, PhD student at SUNY-ESF, and Jinghan Zhao, PhD student at NC State University.

Poster Session Undergraduate Student Competition Winners:

• First Place: Ameris Chadband, West Virginia State University.
• Second Place: Jana Whitlock, West Virginia State University.

During Year 5 (Sept 2024- Sept 2025), MASBio continued to strengthen the regional bioeconomy through cutting-edge research, education, and outreach. From mine reclamation to new biobased materials, we delivered tangible impacts for communities, industry, and the environment.

---

Highlights (2024–2025)

---

• 19 peer-reviewed papers published; 15 more submitted/in prep.
• 28 outreach & engagement activities reaching students, teachers, industry, and communities.
• Graduated 17 students (6 PhD, 4 MS, 7 BS) into academia, government, and industry.
• Breakthroughs in bioproducts: adhesives outperforming soy, CO₂-to-nanomaterials, and high-density biochar pellets.
• Large-scale pilots in biochar asphalt, methane reduction, stormwater filtration, and urban forestry.
• AI-powered models cut supply chain analysis time by 99%.
• Community impact: workshops and field days in WV and OH shared practical biochar and soil health solutions.