Guy Sander

Guy Sander is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s Swenson College of Science and Engineering. He teaches core biochemical and biorenewable‐energy courses while leading the college’s Biochemical Engineering minor.

Education:

• Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, Iowa State University
• B.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth

Research Interests:

Professor Sander’s research integrates biochemical engineering and plant biology to advance sustainable production of valuable chemicals and fuels. His laboratory focuses on metabolic engineering of plant tissues, particularly Catharanthus roseus hairy roots, to enhance yields of terpenoid indole alkaloids with pharmaceutical relevance. Complementary projects investigate fungal enzyme systems for converting lignocellulosic biomass and waste streams into biorenewable fuels and materials, reducing chemical and energy inputs.

Awards & Honors:

• Award for Excellence in Academic Unit Service, 2025
• UMD Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor, 2017
• SCSE Young Teacher Award, 2014
• Omega Chi Epsilon Award, 2011
• Roy J. Carver Fellowship in Molecular Biophysics, Iowa State University, 2007–2009

Advising & Engagement:

Professor Sander is widely recognized for outstanding undergraduate mentoring and active service on campus sustainability committees. He regularly supervises undergraduate researchers in his laboratory and coordinates the Biochemical Engineering minor program, fostering interdisciplinary training in renewable energy and biochemical processes.

Laboratory & Teams:

He directs a research group that combines molecular biology, analytical chemistry, and bioprocess engineering to study plant metabolism and develop greener biotechnological solutions. The group’s facilities support metabolite profiling, genetic engineering, and bench-scale bioprocess evaluation.