Sigifredo Castro Diaz

Sigifredo Castro Diaz is a Teaching Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Kansas State University. His career spans both academic instruction and applied research in sustainable chemical processes.

• Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University (2003)
• M.S., Chemical Engineering, Kansas State University (2001)
• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Universidad Nacional de Colombia (1998)

Castro's research focuses on recovering valuable products from industrial waste streams, including biogas, biodiesel, phosphate fertilizers, and biopolymers. He emphasizes environmentally responsible and economically feasible solutions through chemical engineering methodologies.

His scientific awards include:

• Ad Astra Kansas Initiative Top 150 Scientists (2011)
• Sigma Xi Outstanding Junior Scientist Award (2007)
• Alliance for Hispanic Affairs Leadership Award (2005)

Castro has secured funding from the Kansas Corn Commission and Kansas Soybean Commission, collaborated on USDA/NSF grants, and co-invented U.S. Patent 8017019 B2 ('PHRED®' phosphate recovery technology). He mentors engineering interns and advises senior design projects.