Brent D. Feske

Brent D. Feske serves as Associate Vice President for Research and Professor in the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry & Physics at Georgia Southern University's College of Science and Mathematics. Joining the university in 2005, he has established himself as a leading researcher in biocatalysis and asymmetric synthesis with significant contributions to pharmaceutical development.

Dr. Feske earned his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Florida (2005) and his B.S. in Chemistry from Southeastern Louisiana University (2000). His research expertise spans Biochemistry, Asymmetric Synthesis, Catalysis/Biocatalysis, Organic Chemistry, and Enzyme Engineering, with particular focus on amine dehydrogenases and their applications in pharmaceutical synthesis.

His publication record demonstrates a consistent trajectory from fundamental enzymatic studies to practical pharmaceutical applications. Recent work emphasizes enzyme stability optimization, reaction engineering for biocatalytic processes, and development of novel amine dehydrogenase applications for chiral amine synthesis. His research bridges academic biochemistry with industrial pharmaceutical manufacturing needs, addressing challenges in sustainable drug production.

As Associate Vice President for Research (effective March 2025), Dr. Feske has significantly strengthened Georgia Southern's research infrastructure by expanding internal funding mechanisms, improving research expenditure tracking systems, and enhancing pre-award support services. He has prioritized understanding college-specific research needs to better position the university's scholarship enterprise for growth.

Dr. Feske directs the Sustainable Aquaponics Research Center (SARC), a 4,100 square-foot facility with four independent recirculating systems. Through SARC, he has developed impactful community partnerships including collaborations with Nine Line Foundation to train homeless veterans in aquaponics and with America's Second Harvest to address food insecurity. These initiatives demonstrate his commitment to applying academic research to real-world challenges while fulfilling UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable development and good health.