Mark R. Wilkins

Mark R. Wilkins is a Professor and Department Head in the Carl and Melinda Helwig Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at Kansas State University (K-State). He holds a Ph.D. (2004) and M.S. (2001) in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a B.S. (1999) in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from Purdue University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Oklahoma.

Education:

• Ph.D. - 2004, Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• M.S. - 2001, Agricultural Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• B.S. - 1999, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Purdue University

Research Interests: Wilkins focuses on bioprocessing, biofuels, and sustainable materials. His work emphasizes converting waste products (e.g., corn fiber, citrus peel) into valuable products like bioplastics, succinic acid, and chemicals through fermentation. He has pioneered packed bed fermenter design and explores lignin monomers as feedstocks.

Awards:

• 2011 ASABE Best Reviewer Award
• 2019 Leadership Citation for ASABE Meetings Council
• 2021 LEAD21 Program Graduate

Advising & Grants: Supervised 9 doctoral, 10 master's students, and 6 postdocs. Holds 2 U.S. patents on ethanol production from citrus waste.曾获玉米种植者总统主席奖支持玉米副产品研究.