STILLWATER, Okla. – The future is now for Mark Wilkins of Oklahoma State University’s Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, an outlook and commitment that is providing long-term benefits to Oklahoma and the region.
“Mark has a talent for examining processes from engineering and biological perspectives that are not only needed but are being developed, and then he fosters improved understanding of what those processes require to be turned into practical applications and technological advances that improve an industry or a product,” said Ray Huhnke, OSU Cooperative Extension agricultural engineer and director of the university’s Biobased Products and Energy Center.
An OSU associate professor, Wilkins’ research focuses on the processing of biological materials into fuels and chemicals, with emphases on machinery development for agricultural production and processing, food engineering and renewable energy engineering.
Dan Thomas, department head, said Wilkins has been a significant contributor to the multidisciplinary, multi-institutional OSU Biofuels Team, as well as other high-priority programs conducted by the university’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
“Dr. Wilkins has helped us maintain a national leadership role in syngas fermentation, which has an excellent energy conversion rate and potentially stands to strengthen and diversify Oklahoma’s economy and status as an energy provider,” he said.
Huhnke agreed, citing that Wilkins’ contributions not only promote eventual increased opportunities for the state and region’s agricultural industry as a biomass producer, they stand to position energy companies to take better advantage of new technologies as they develop.
“We all know there is a finite supply of fossil fuels, and most of us are aware of issues and challenges that come with being too dependent on foreign sources of oil,” Huhnke said. “Science moves at the rate science moves. It doesn’t happen with the snap of the fingers. What is being developed right now is a step in the process to where Oklahoma and the region eventually will be as an energy provider in the future.”
Wilkins’ outstanding contributions toward promoting and providing a better future for the agricultural and energy industries are part of the reason why he was named the 2012 recipient of the Gale A. Holloway Professional Development Award by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers.
First presented in 2008, the award was established in honor of Holloway, past president of ASABE, the ASABE Foundation and a Fellow of the international organization.
“Dr. Holloway was passionate about ensuring early-career members were actively involved in professional, technical and networking activities,” said Darrin Drollinger, ASABE executive director. “He felt it not only enhanced their careers, but also played a key role in helping to advance engineering solutions to real-world issues while providing energy and new ideas to the engineering fraternity as a whole.”
ASABE is an international and scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering applicable to biological, agricultural and food systems. Its members hail from more than 100 nations, and are consultants, managers, researchers and others who employ the interrelationships between technology and living systems to improve the quality of life for people.
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REPORTER/MEDIA CONTACT:
Donald Stotts
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
143 Agriculture North
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
Phone: 405-744-4079
Fax: 405-744-5739
Email: [email protected]
Oklahoma State University, U. S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local governments cooperating; Oklahoma State University in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures, and is an equal opportunity employer.
