Michael R. Ladisch

Michael R. Ladisch is the Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Director of the Laboratory of Renewable Resources Engineering (LORRE) at Purdue University. He holds a joint appointment in the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering. With degrees in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University and Purdue, his career spans academia and industry, including serving as CTO of Mascoma (2007–2013). His research focuses on bioprocess engineering, bioseparations, and sustainable biorefinery technologies, particularly in biofuels, bioproducts, and pathogen detection. He leads LORRE, emphasizing renewable resource utilization and interdisciplinary innovation. Ladisch has authored textbooks, holds over 20 patents, and is recognized with prestigious awards, including NAE membership and the Morrill Award. His work bridges lab-to-market through startups and licensing.

Education

• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Drexel University (1973)
• M.S., Chemical Engineering, Purdue University (1974)
• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Purdue University (1977)

Research Interests

Ladisch’s research addresses bioseparations, biocatalysis, and lignocellulosic biomass conversion. His team developed microfiltration technology for rapid pathogen detection (FDA Food Safety Challenge winner, 2015) and energy-efficient biofuel production. Current efforts include enzyme-assisted biomass liquefaction, lignin valorization, and AI-driven biocatalytic pathway design. His work on hyaluronic acid matrices and Doppler imaging for pathogen detection integrates biomedical and agricultural engineering.

Publications & Awards

With over 20 patents and 200+ publications, Ladisch’s contributions span process engineering, biotechnology, and entrepreneurship education. Awards include NAE membership (1999), ACS Fellow (2011), and National Academy of Inventors (2014). He edits 12 journals and co-teaches an entrepreneurship course.

Grants & Impact

Ladisch’s labs (LORRE, Maha Center) collaborate with industry (Eli Lilly, Forest Concepts) and national labs (Argonne, Idaho). Projects include USDA-funded biorefinery studies and NIH-supported biomedical diagnostics. His work on oxalic acid sequestration and lignin monomer conversion exemplifies sustainable innovation.

Labs & Teams

LORRE’s interdisciplinary teams tackle bioprocess scaling, bioseparations, and AI-driven synthesis. Recent initiatives include enzymatic lipid A synthesis and microbial sentinel platforms for infection detection.