The Office of Bioenergy Programs at the University of Tennessee is housed within the Institute of Agriculture. The office is divided into two focus areas: Research and Development and External Relations. Faculty involved in the OBP program areas come from departments across the Institute of Agricuture, including the Agricultural Experiment Station and UT Extension. These faculty are not listed individually here, but can be found through other portions of the website, including the Southeastern Sun Grant Center.
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Dr. Timothy G. Rials
Director, Research and Development |
Dr. Kelly Tiller
Director, External Operations |
| Dr. Timothy G. Rials is a polymer chemist who oversees activities associated with refining the biomass conversion process and the development of co-products – valuable commercial products expected to result as part of the biomass-to-ethanol conversion process. Rials will also continue in his roles as director of the Forest Products Center and as director of the federally funded Sun Grant Southeastern Regional Center. |
Dr. Kelly Tiller is an agricultural economist who helped to author the Initiative’s business model. Her duties will include general oversight of the Tennessee Biofuels Initiative and managing development of the pilot biorefinery as well as managing relationships with external partners interested in collaborative projects associated with the plant or working to develop a bioenergy industry in the state. |
OBP Staff |
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Sachiko Hurst, IT Analyst
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 Chris Helton, Research Coordination
Email
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 Samuel W. Jackson, Sun Grant
Email
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Ann Ryan, Administrative Specialist
Email |
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 Amanda Silk, Administrative Specialist
Email
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 Patterson Wilson, Information Specialist
Email
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