Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

From the Chair

The new year is setting up to be an exciting one for our department, in terms of continuing impactful scholarship, teaching, and outreach (See a few highlights below), and in terms of our trajectory for the future. I am particularly excited to announce that we have initiated a cluster-search for three new BAE faculty members in the general area of “Climate-Smart Food and Ag Systems Engineering” (See link to details below). Across our mission foci of food, environment, energy, and health, our department already has significant expertise and activity directed at understanding, managing, and mitigating climate impacts, and this cluster hire is designed to further solidify and bolster our leadership on campus and nationally in this important overall area – working toward innovative solutions that positively impact our stakeholders and the world. The search is open across all our mission areas, with particular interest in data system for food safety and security, SmartAg systems for specialty crop production, and microbiome engineering. If you know of high-quality potential candidates, please forward/distribute/circulate the link below to the position announcement.

I also want to highlight the ongoing commitment of our faculty and staff in applying innovative approaches to delivering our programs in ways that elevate flexibility, accessibility, and inclusion. Many of our faculty have been teaching their courses in HyFlex mode the past two semesters, enabling students to participate in-person or remotely as circumstances dictate dynamically during the semester. This, of course, takes extra effort on the part of the faculty, but they remain dedicated to optimizing the student experience for all. These experiences continue to inform our strategies for formal instruction, non-credit training programs, and international collaborations and conferences. The past two years have been challenging, but those challenges have also inspired innovations and creativity that will serve us well as we continue to elevate BAE going forward.

Please feel free to drop me a note anytime if you want to connect or discuss ideas or opportunities to engage.

Go Green!

Signature of Dr. Bradley Marks, Chair of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

Bradley Marks, Ph.D., P.E.

Professor and Department Chair

MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering

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MSU BAE Seeks Candidates for 3 New Faculty Positions in "Climate-Smart Food and Ag Systems Engineering"

The Department of Biosystem and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) at Michigan State University invites qualified applicants for three full-time, academic-year, tenure-track Assistant Professor positions under the general theme of Climate-Smart Food and Ag Systems Engineering. Various combinations of assignments across the mission areas of research, teaching, and extension/outreach are possible, with the expectation that the primary area for all three positions will be research. The projected start date for each position is August 16, 2022.

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MSU ranked No. 6 undergraduate biological/agricultural engineering program in U.S.

According to the latest rankings from U.S. News and World Report, the MSU Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering is the No. 6 program of its kind in the country.

Undergraduate research on Salmonella reduction in raw flour wins poster competition

Do heat treatments done by consumers at home on raw flour reduce Salmonella in flour? This is the question BAE Senior Kasey Nelson set out to answer. Her presentation of her experimental findings won 1st place in the International Association of Food Protection(IAFP) Annual Meeting undergraduate poster competition.

MSU Professor discusses the importance of preventing phosphorus loss

The focus of BAE Associate Professor and Graduate Director Dr. Steven Safferman's research is managing phosphorus. Read here to learn how phosphorus is essential for life and achieving high crop yields, which is critical to feed a growing world population.

MSU Researcher awarded grant to develop a mobile waste-to-electricity solution

BAE Professor and International Programs Director Dr. Wei Liao, together with Qnergy Co., Bollinger Motors, and Ingham County, received a grant to develop a mobile waste-to-electric solution to allow small- and medium-scale farm operations to convert organic wastes into electricity for electric vehicles or farm equipment. The project will help meet the ever-growing demand for energy while alleviating negative environmental impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting water resources.

Analysis of infant formula results in database

As part of a study on infant formula, BAE Assistant Professor Dr. Ilce Medina-Meza conducted analysis of oxidative and non-oxidative lipid profiles. This study resulted in a database of information that will be instrumental for scientists interested in infant nutrition.

Spartan philanthropist and trailblazer gives back

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering alumnus and Adjunct Professor, Larry P. Walker, Ph.D., is a true philanthropist giving back his time, talent and treasure to advance Michigan State University.

2022 Spring Seminar Series

BAE is pleased to be hosting speakers that represent the diverse and interdisciplinary research interests of the department. Seminars (virtual, via Zoom) will begin at 8:30 AM on Thursdays and will last approximately 45 minutes, followed by a Q&A for 15 minutes. All are welcome to join. Depending on the availability of the speaker, there will also be a 30 minute Q&A for graduate students only.

Keep a lookout for Spartan Engineer Chelsie Boodoo’s artwork in the Greater Lansing area.

Her newest creative piece demonstrates space and time with two astronauts and a black hole. It was selected by the Greater Lansing Arts Council for the Art in the Sky Billboard Project.

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