B. Brian He, Ph.D., P.E.

• Utilization of biobased resources for value-added products and renewable energy through chemical / thermochemical processing
• Biomass conversion, biofuels, and bioproducts

Brian is a chemical engineer by training and a licensed Professional Engineer of Chemical Engineering with more than 7 years of industrial experience.

Brian’s expertise is in the areas of processing of biobased resources for renewable energy and value-added products.

Brian teaches in the areas of engineering analysis and design, bioprocessing of biomass for biofuels and bioproducts via biological and thermochemical conversion technologies.

Brian’s recent research activities include biofuel production technologies, chemical/ thermochemical processes for value-added products, and nutrient cycling from agriculture-based and other renewable resources.

As a PI / co-PI, he has conducted multiple research projects totaling more than $5 million in funding at the University of Idaho. Brian has published peer-reviewed research papers, and book chapters in the areas of biofuels production and utilization, biomass conversion for renewable energy, glycerol conversion for value-added applications, and nutrient cycling from agriculture-based resources.

Brian is an active member in his professional societies and has served as a grant reviewer and/or panelist for multiple federal and state grant programs, including USDA, DOE, and NSF, in the area of biomass conversion and renewable energy.

Brian has also served as an associated editor for three technical journals, including his current associate editorship role in BioEnergy Research. He has been an ad hoc reviewer for numerous scientific journals.

Book Chapters

• He*, B., and S. Pryor. 2020. Chapter 3 Biodiesel from Oils and Fats. In Biosystems Engineering Digital Library, section of Bioenergy Systems. Editors: Mary Leigh Wolfe and Nicholas M. Holden. Section editor: Ruihong Zhang. ASABE (in press)
• Bi, Z. and B. He*. 2020. Chapter 13: Biodiesel from Microalgae. In Handbook of Microalgae-Based Processes and Products. pp 329-371. Editors: E. Jacob-Lopes, M. Maroneze, M. Queiroz. L. Zepka. Elsevier/ Academic Press (UK). ISBN: 9780128185360.
• He*, B., and D. Shrestha. 2020. Chapter 6 Production of Biodiesel from Oilseeds: Canola/ Rapeseed. In Achieving carbon-negative bioenergy systems from plant materials. pp. 217-241. Editor: Chris Saffron. Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing. ISBN-13: 978-1786762528. ISBN-10: 1786762528. doi:10.19103/AS.2019.0027.13.
• He, B. 2019. Biodiesel. Article entry in Encyclopedia of Agricultural, Food and Biological Engineering (EAFE). EAFE Manager: Kelly Daugherty. Taylor & Francis Group. (in press)
• He, B. 2019. Chapter 1 Biodiesel Production Technologies. In A Closer Look at Biodiesel Production. Editors: L. F. R. Pinto, E. Takase, and H. S. Santana. Nova Publishers, Inc. (ISBN 97815361 48848; ISBN 97815361 48855).
• He, B. and Zhidan Liu. 2017. Chapter 4: Properties of Biofuels. In Biofuels Production and Processing Technology. Editors: M. R. Riazi and David Chiaramonti. CRC/Taylor & Francis. ISBN-13: 978-1498778930; ISBN-10: 1498778933.
• He, B., Jon H. Van Gerpen, Matthew J. Morra, and Armando G. McDonald. 2017. Chapter 26: Lipid-based Biorefinery. In Bioenergy: Principles and Applications. Editors: Y. Li and S. Khanal. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New Jersey, USA. ISBN 9781118568316.
• Van Gerpen, J., and B. He. 2014. Chapter 20: Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Production. In Advances in Biorefineries - Biomass and waste supply chain exploitation. Pages 441-475. Editor: Keith Waldron. Woodhead Publishing Ltd (UK). ISBN: 978-0-85709-521-3.
• He, B., Jon H. Van Gerpen, Matthew J. Morra, and Armando G. McDonald. 2016. Chapter 26: Lipid-based Biorefinery. In Bioenergy: Principles and Applications. Editors: Y. Li and S. Khanal. Wiley (in press).
• Van Gerpen, J., and B. He. 2014. Chapter 14: Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel Production. In Advances in Biorefineries - Biomass and waste supply chain exploitation. Pages 441-475. Editor: Keith Waldron. Woodhead Publishing Ltd (UK) (ISBN: 978-0-85709-521-3).
• Van Gerpen, J.H., and B. He. 2010. Chapter 15: Biodiesel Production and Properties. In Thermochemical Conversion of Biomass to Liquid Fuels and Chemicals. Pages 382-415. Editor: Mark Crocker. London, UK: Royal Society of Chemistry Publishing (ISBN-10: 1849730358).
• Hansen, A.C., and B. He. 2010. Biodiesel fuels for off-road vehicles. In Encyclopedia of Agricultural, Food and Biological Engineering, 2nd edition, 1:114-116. Editor: Dennis R. Heldman. Taylor & Francis Group (ISBN: 978-1-4398-1111-5).

Journal articles

• Kruger, K., L. Chen, and B. He*. 2020. Nutrient starvation and light depravation effects on starch accumulation in Landolita punctata cultivated on anaerobically digested dairy manure. Journal of Environmental Quality 49:1044–1053. doi:10.1002/jeq2.20092.
• Kruger, K., B. He, and L. Chen. 2019. Growth and nutrient uptake rates of duckweed cultivated on anaerobically digested dairy manure. Chinese Journal of Eco-Agriculture 27(9):1402-1408. doi: 10.13930/j.cnki.cjea.19025.1.
• Menchavez, R., M. Morra, and B. He. 2017. Co-production of ethanol and 1,2-propanediol via glycerol hydrogenolysis using Ni/Ce–Mg catalysts: effects of catalyst preparation and reaction conditions. Catalysts 7(10):290-303 (doi:10.3390/catal7100290)
• Menchavez, R., M. Morra, and B. He. 2017. Glycerol hydrogenolysis using a Ni/Ce-Mg catalyst for improved ethanol and 1,2-propanediol selectivities. Can. J. Chen. Engr. 95(7):1332-1339 (doi:10.1002/cjce.22779)
• Bi, Z. and B. He. 2016. Phospholipid Transesterification in Sub-/Super-critical Methanol with the Presence of Free Fatty Acids. Fuel 166(2):461-466 (doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2015.11.009)
• Bi, Z., B. He, and A. McDonald. 2015. Biodiesel Production from Green Microalgae Schizochytrium limacinum via in situ Transesterification. Energy and Fuels (published online on July 14; DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5b00559)
• Maglinao, R, and B. He. 2015. Optimization of in situ hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propylene glycol and ethanol. Biofuels 55(5):569-577 (doi:10.1080/17597269.2014.1002998).
• Kafle, G., L. Chen, H. Neibling, and B. He. 2015. Field evaluation of wood bark-based down-flow biofilters in mitigating odor, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide emissions from confined swine nursery barns. Journal of Environmental Management 147:164-174 (doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2014.09.004).
• B. He. 2014. Removal of heterogeneous elements: another critical step towards microalgal biofuels utilization. Biofuels 5(1):1-3 (doi:10.4155/bfs.13.60).
• Bi, Z., and B. He. 2013. Characterization of microalgae for the purpose of biofuels production. Trans. ASABE 56(4):1529-1539 (doi:10.13031/trans.56.10090).
• Maglinao, R, and B. He. 2012. Verification of propylene glycol preparation from glycerol via acetol pathway by in situ hydrogenolysis. Biofuels 3(6):675-682 (doi:10.4155/BFS.12.65).
• He, B., and J. H. Van Gerpen. 2012. Application of ultrasonication in transesterification processes for biodiesel production. Biofuels 3(4): 479-488 (doi:10.4155/bfs.12.35).
• He, B., and J. H. van Gerpen. 2012. Analyzing biodiesel for contaminants and moisture retention. Biofuels 3(3): 351-360 (doi:10.4155/bfs.12.19).
• Maglinao, R, and B. He. 2011. Catalytic thermochemical conversion of glycerol to simple and polyhydric alcohols using Raney nickel catalyst. Ind. & Eng. Chem. Research 50 (10): 6028–6033 (doi: 10.1021/ie102573m).
• Hansen, A., B. He, and N. Engeseth. 2011. Food versus fuel characteristics of vegetable oils and animal fats. Trans. ASABE 54(4): 1407-1414 (doi:10.13031/2013.25154).

• Nutrient cycling from dairy manure via hydrochar produced by thermochemical carbonization. $339,245. 09/2020-08/2024. Brian He (PI). A sub-project of the master project ($10M) of Creating a new bioeconomy for dairies to increase nutrient recycling, enhance productivity of crops, and stimulate prosperity in rural America, led by Dr. Mark McGuire.
• Biobased Energy Educational Material Exchange System (BEEMS). $59,800. 10/09 — 09/12. USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants. Brian He (PI). Collaborated with Ohio State University and three other universities. The total project award was $459,867.
• Application of Metal Catalysts for High Selectivity of Glycerol Conversion to Alcohols. $50,000 (KLK 758). 08/09 — 12/10. National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. Brian He (PI).
• National biodiesel education program (Phase 2). $1,000,000. USDA Biodiesel Fuel Education Program. 10/08 — 09/13. Jon Van Gerpen, Brian He (co-PI), Doug Haines, Dev Shrestha.
• Thermal processing of low-grade glycerol to alcohols for biodiesel production $141,171 ($78,092 for Year 1, KLK 750; $63,079 for Year 2, KLK 754). 08/07 — 12/09. National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. Brian He (PI).
• Washington State Ferries Biodiesel Utilization Project. $68,171. US DOE through Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. 01/07 — 01/09. Brian He (PI), Jon Van Gerpen. Collaborated with Washington State University. The total project award was $299,950.
• Biodiesel Quality Affected by Sulfur Content Originated from Different Feedstocks and A Database for the Same. $59,327 (KLK 432). National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. 08/06 — 12/07. Brian He (PI), Jon Van Gerpen.
• A virtual education center for biorenewable resources: building capacity and humanizing distance education. $122,500. USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants. 10/06 —09/09. Jon Van Gerpen, Brian He (co-PI). Collaborated with Iowa State University (the lead institution) and University of Kentucky. The total project award was $489,929.

• Engineering R&D on hydrochar production from dairy manure as a means of nutrient cycling for organic/green farming (on-going research with multiple pending proposals) Brian He (PI), Lide Chen.
• Curriculum Development: Preparing A Capable Workforce for The Idaho Dairy Industry on Manure Management Thru Online Distance Education (on-going curriculum development effort with a pending proposal) Brian He (PI), and Sarah Wu
• National biodiesel education program (Phase 3). $906,000 (FGK 001). USDA Biodiesel Fuel Education Program (award #2014-45300-22312). 10/2014 – 09/2019. Dev Shrestha (PI), Brian He (co-PI), and Jon Van Gerpen.
• Commercialization of novel biopesticides: filling engineering gaps required for scale-up. M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust. $119,049 (FGK162). 09/2014 – 08/2017. Brian He (PI), and Matt Morra.
• Multiple enhanced-value co-products from regionally important oilseed feedstocks. $599,210. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Research (Award #: 20116700920094). 07/2011-12/2015. M. Morra, Brian He (co-PI, spending right $194,623, BFK 007), C. Nindo.
• Advancing glycerol conversion technology for commercialization for sustainable biodiesel industry. $50,000 (BF2889). Idaho State Board of Education (award # IF13-005). 07/2012 – 06/2013. Brian He (PI).
• In situ transesterification of microalgal oil to produce algal biodiesel (Phase 2). $69,922 (KLK902). US Department of Transportation, via University Transportation Center (UTC) program (grant # DTRT12-G-UTC17) at the University of Idaho. 07/2012 – 06/2013. Brian He (PI).
• Production of renewable diesel fuel from biologically-based feedstocks. $59,998.40 (KLK848). US Department of Transportation, via the Pacific Northwest Transportation Consortium (PacTrans; USDOT grant # DTRT12-G-UTC10) at the University of Washington. 07/2012 – 06/2013. Jon Van Gerpen, Brian He (co-PI).
• Implementation of biofiltration technology. $328,328 (BFK 010). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. 09/2011– 08/2014. Lide Chen, Howard Neibling, Brian He (co-PI), Mario Emanuel DeHaro Marti.
• Production of renewable diesel fuel from biologically-based feedstocks (Year 2). $90,000 (KLK 766). National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. 08/2011 – 07/2012. Jon Van Gerpen, Brian He (co-PI).
• In situ transesterification of microalgal oil to produce algal biodiesel (Phase 1). $57,000 (KLK 768). National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. 08/2011 – 07/2012. Brian He (PI).
• Production of renewable diesel fuel from biologically-based feedstocks (Year 1). $70,000 (KLK759). National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. 08/2010 – 07/2011. Jon Van Gerpen, Brian He (co-PI).
• Continuous-flow reactor system for improved catalytic glycerol conversion. $55,000 (KLK 765). National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. 08/2010 – 12/2011. Brian He (PI).
• Biobased Energy Educational Material Exchange System (BEEMS). $59,800. 10/09 – 09/12. USDA Higher Education Challenge Grants. Brian He (PI). Collaborated with Ohio State University and other 3 universities. The total project award was $459,867.
• Application of Metal Catalysts for High Selectivity of Glycerol Conversion to Alcohols. $50,000 (KLK 758). 08/09 – 12/10. National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology. Brian He (PI).
• National biodiesel education program (Phase 2). $1,000,000. USDA Biodiesel Fuel Education Program. 10/08 –09/13. Jon Van Gerpen, Brian He (co-PI), Doug Haines, Dev Shrestha.

• Most influential faculty member, Alumni Associate, University of Idaho.
• Superior Paper Award. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). 2007. First & corresponding author.
• Faculty Excellence Award. Naval ROTC at U of I/WSU. 2007.
• Nominee, R.M. Wade Excellence in Teaching award. College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Idaho. 2006.
• Teacher of the Year. Biological and Agricultural Engineering, U of I. 2006.
• Nominee, R.M. Wade Excellence in Teaching award. College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Idaho. 2004.
• Teacher of the Year. Biological and Agricultural Engineering, U of I. 2004.
• Superior Paper Award. American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE). 2001. First & corresponding author.
• Gamma Sigma Delta, Honor Society of Agriculture. Inducted in 1998.
• Alpha Epsilon, Agricultural Engineering Honor Society. Inducted in 1997.