MnDRIVE Events

April 21, 2023 – MnDRIVE Environment Research Impact Presentation

Join the MnDRIVE Environment Community on April 21 from noon to 1 p.m. for the next session in our 2023 series focused on research outcomes and impact. This session (rescheduled from early April) will feature presentations by:

Dr. Sam Toan – Effective Catalysts for Efficient CO2 Capture From Flue Gas

Riley Lewis – Enhancing PFAS Phytoremediation Mechanisms Using Novel Nanomaterials

January 11, 2023 – MnDRIVE Environment Research Impact Presentation

View the first session in our 2023 Research Impact Series. This session will featured two project presentations:

Reuse of Tire Recycling Byproducts – Rajneesh Singh, postdoctoral researcher

Biofilm-Flow Interactions Within Porous Media Systems – Sang Lee, postdoctoral researcher

November 11, 2022 – MnDRIVE Environment Research Impact Presentation

Following a well received summer series of Research Impact presentations, MnDRIVE Environment presented a fall Research Impact Session featured:

Bioremediation of Polluted Waters Using Microorganisms – Enhancing Cold Temperature Nitrification During Wastewater Treatment – Sebastian Behrens and Timothy LaPara

A Conversation with the Office of Technology Commercialization on Research Impact – Chris Ghere and Rayla Vilar

August 23, 2022 – MnDRIVE Environment Research Impact Presentation

The fifth session in a summer-long series of events focused on research outcomes and impact. This session featured:

Stormwater Bio-filtration for Duluth-based Foundry – Steven Sternberg
Process Developments for Food Waste Treatment and Valorization – Bo Hu

August 11, 2022 – MnDRIVE Environment Research Impact Presentation

The fourth session in a summer-long series of events focused on research outcomes and impact. This session featured:

Optimizing bioreactors to reduce nitrate losses from tile drainage water: Update from the last four years – Gary Feyereisen

Application of Minnesota-sourced biochar and iron materials for stormwater treatment – Bridget Ulrich

July 28, 2022 – MnDRIVE Environment Research Impact Presentation

The third session in a summer-long series of events focused on Seed Grant and Demonstration Grant research. This third session will feature two research impact presentations from the Seed Grants Program:

Low-Grade Weirs: Evaluation of Bio-augmentation and Bio-stimulation for Nitrogen Removal in Agricultural Drainage Ditches – Jeffrey Strock

Advanced Bio-composite materials for bioremediation – Claudia Schmidt-Dannert

July 13 2022 – MnDRIVE Environment Research Impact Presentation

The second session in a summer-long series of events focused on Seed Grant and Demonstration Grant research. This session featured two Seed Grant research teams, as they provide an overview of their work, the outcomes, and some insight into the impact of their efforts.

Can microbial sulfur-reduction enhance chromium removal from industrial stormwater – Brandy Toner

Innovative Enzyme Technologies for Safer Waters in Minnesota – Mikael Elias

June 30, 2022 – MnDRIVE Environment Research Impact Presentation

The first session in a summer long series of events focused on Seed Grant and Demonstration Grant research. This first session featured two Seed Grant research teams, as they provide an overview of their work, the outcomes, and some insight into the impact of their efforts.

Using Iron Bearing Minerals for Remediation of Sulfide Contaminated Water – Lee Penn and Spencer Brigham

Green alternatives to toxic chemical waste: A Minnesota-based solution for bioremediation of contaminants in fertilizer – Larry Wackett and team

April 14, 2021 – Recycling and Reuse of Critical Minerals and Metals

This Listening Session explored the space of “critical minerals and precious metals recovery and reuse” by hearing from industry experts and UMN researchers actively working on innovative technology and remediation solutions. Participants from organizations and institutions working in the critical minerals and precious metals recycling and reuse space were welcomed to address environmental contamination issues and develop economically and sustainably viable solutions.

March 3, 2021 – Remediation of Environmental Plastics 

A dynamic and diverse group of experts offered comments on an array of topics ranging from natural degradation of plastics in the environment to sustainable polymers to enzymatic degradation of plastics. The speakers represented both industry and academic research perpectives, but all presentations held a central theme of ‘how can we do better at designing and formulating plastics that are more biodegradable or more easily deconstucted and reused in various ways. The event drew over 100 participants and nearly half remained to participate in breakout discussions about the biggest challenges and how to solve them.

November 18, 2020 – Mixed Feedstock Anaerobic Digestion 

MnDRIVE Environment hosted a group of about 50 to hear three unique perspectives from across the state on the topic of mixed feedstock anaerobic digestion. The invited speakers included Tim Farnan (MN Pollution Control Agency), Leigh Behrens (Ramsey/Washington County Recycling & Energy Team), and Tracy Hodel (St. Cloud Public Utilities Director). The audience got to hear a range of comments and perspectives that covered successes from St. Cloud’s Wastewater Treatment facility to the regulatory and governence side of AD at the state agency level to the ongoing and future plans of the R&E Team to spin up and operate a new anaerobic digestion system.

October 14, 2020 – Pathogens and Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water

In partnership with the Minnesota Trade Office, MnDRIVE hosted a conversation that explored, educated, and discussed aspects of drinking water contamination. Across the United States and within Minnesota, water quality has increasingly been thrust into the public spotlight. Whether this is due to runoff of agricultural fertilizers, outdated water infrastructure, irresponsible dumping, or other contaminant sources, the levels of regulated contaminants and the appearance of emerging contaminants require innovative remediation technology and solutions.

Join our invited experts from the MN Department of Health and the City of Minneapolis address these and other important questions. Also, feel free to review summary questions, challenges, and opportunities that were discussed in breakout sessions following the presentations.