Erin Cortus

Erin Cortus is an Associate Professor and Extension Engineer in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota, College of Science and Engineering. She holds a Ph.D. and B.E. from the University of Saskatchewan and is a licensed professional engineer in Minnesota and South Dakota. Her work bridges engineering and agriculture with a focus on sustainable livestock systems.

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Saskatchewan, 2007
• B.E., University of Saskatchewan, 2002

Her research centers on sustainable livestock production, particularly in measuring sustainability metrics, improving air quality, managing manure, and enhancing biosecurity. She investigates hydrogen sulfide mitigation, greenhouse gas emissions, and nutrient dynamics in livestock systems. Her work includes practical applications in manure storage, mass mortality management, and environmental monitoring in deep-pit cattle facilities.

Her recent publications reflect a strong trend in environmental impact assessment of livestock systems, with focus on gas emissions (NH₃, H₂S, N₂O, CH₄), manure characteristics, and modeling environmental outcomes. She emphasizes interdisciplinary and systems-based approaches, particularly through system dynamics and cohort-based graduate education.

Scientific Awards:

• Dean's Award for Distinguished Team - Extension Biosecurity Education Team (2018-19)

Erin Cortus mentors graduate students and leads extension education initiatives. She is involved in advising and leading research on biosecurity practices, manure management, and sustainability capacity building for dairy farms. She collaborates across departments and institutions, particularly in public engagement and cross-disciplinary teaching. She is active in professional organizations including the American Society of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and the Air & Waste Management Association.

She leads or contributes to key projects such as ManureDB, Greenhouse Gas Sampling Methods for Minnesota Livestock Farms, and Biosecure Entry Education and Research. Her lab and team focus on applied engineering solutions for real-world agricultural challenges, integrating environmental protection with food production systems.