Rob Anex

Rob Anex is a Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, affiliated with the Biological Systems Engineering Department in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. He holds program affiliations in Energy Analysis & Policy and the Graduate Certificate in Environment & Resources. His research focuses on systems for producing energy, fuels, and biorenewable products, emphasizing life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA).

Dr. Anex earned his B.S. (1981) and M.S. (1983) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, followed by a Ph.D. (1995) in Environmental Engineering from the same institution. His work integrates laboratory process development with large-scale system modeling to address food, water, and energy security challenges.

Research Interests:

• Biorenewable chemicals and fuels production
• Nutrient recovery and cycling in biofuel systems
• Environmental impacts of biomass production
• Climate change mitigation via carbon capture and utilization
• Agrisolar co-location and land-use efficiency

Key Awards:

• Federal Biomass Research & Development Technical Advisory Committee (2019–present)
• USDA Partnership Award for Multistate Efforts (2016)
• U.S. EPA Board of Scientific Counselors (2008–2009)

Grants & Advising: Dr. Anex has led projects on biorefinery systems, sustainable agriculture, and carbon-negative materials. His advising focuses on interdisciplinary challenges in bioenergy and environmental engineering. He is affiliated with the Wisconsin Energy Institute and collaborates across engineering, agricultural, and environmental disciplines.

Labs & Teams: Active in the Engineering Research Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) and the Wisconsin Energy Institute, advancing technologies for sustainable energy production and resource management.