Dr. Stephanie Lansing leads the Bioenergy and Biotechnology Lab at the nexus of renewable energy, water quality, waste treatment, and human health. She is committed to understanding the ecological, engineering, and social systems that influence these intertwined areas. Dr. Lansing serves as a Vice Chair of the Maryland Food System Resiliency Council. Her research focuses on strengthening the biocircular economy, anaerobic digestion, bioplastic formation from waste, microbial fuel cells, and nutrient management. She has 20 years of experience in renewable energy research, extension education, and conducting sustainability life cycle assessments of waste to energy systems. Her work in bioenergy spans from large to small-scale anaerobic digestion in the US, Africa, and Latin America.
Dr. Lansing is leading two new grants totaling >$6 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to develop sustainable products, such as biofuels and bioplastics from food waste. These grants are aimed at understanding the waste sources we have, particularly the quantities of food waste, and determining what opportunities exist for us to create renewable resources and energy from that waste. One grant is focused on the production of bioplastics from food waste, while the other is focused on characterizing the municipal solid waste stream to create biofuels that can replace liquid fuels like aviation fuel.
Video explaining the process of converting landfill waste into energy. Dr. Stephanie Lansing and her team from the Bioenergy and Biotechnology Lab within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources are scouring landfills and capturing energy from food waste using a unique thermochemical process. Working alongside other universities and local municipalities, their research could revolutionize local waste management and energy resources.
Anaerobic digestion is a technology that transforms waste into renewable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During anaerobic digestion, biogas is produced from a natural consortium of microbes that break down biodegradable material inside a sealed, oxygen-free reactor. Anaerobic digesters can use a wide range of waste, such as food scraps, manure, crop waste, or sewage sludge.
Topics include:
Additional Resources:
Find below example fact sheets, but for more information see the Anaerobic Digestion Overview page.
Research Fact Sheet: Waste to Energy
Anaerobic Digestion Fact SheetAnaerobic Digestion: Basic Processes for Biogas Fact Sheet
Dr. Stephanie Lansing explains how anaerobic digestion works while visiting the Maryland Bioenergy Center in Jessup, Maryland.

In the US, 34 million people are food insecure. Yet a third of the food produced in the US is wasted. Our integrated team, NourishNet, funded by that National Science Foundation, offers a cutting-edge toolbox that enhances food security and reduces food waste by putting healthy food in the hands of the food insecure. Our tools include the complete integration of a real-time software app, named FoodLoops, to optimize surplus food distribution with an electronic sensor, named Quantum Nose, to detect early-stage food spoilage. The FoodLoops platform incorporates consumer education, connects small farmers within the food ecosystem, and provides greenhouse gas emission data to allow for data-driven decision-making on food system resiliency. The collaborative NourishNet team includes University of Maryland researchers and entrepreneurs, Prince George’s County Food Equity Council, ChowMatch, LindaBen Foundation, SCS Engineers, and Well Said Media.
Our tools will strengthen food system resiliency by promoting equitable donations and redistribution of nutritious surplus food. Our real-time data collection and modeling will empower government agencies and institutions to strategically invest in waste prevention, food diversion, anaerobic digestion, composting, and climate-smart infrastructure for local food markets. The nationwide deployment of FoodLoops and Quantum Nose will increase equity, connect key food system stakeholders, empower underserved populations, create new educational resources, and allow for real-time forecasting and data-driven decision-making.
Dr. Lansing explains how NourishNet is counteracting the issue of food insecurity. NourishNet, funded by that National Science Foundation, offers a cutting-edge toolbox that enhances food security and reduces food waste by putting healthy food in the hands of the food insecure
Video explaining how to understand food date labels.
Comprender las etiquetas de fecha de los alimentos (en español)
Food, water, and energy systems are intimately connected. Water and nutrients are needed to grow crops and feed animals. Agricultural runoff can degrade water quality and increase eutrophication, while energy is integral to both agricultural production and water treatment. The connection between these systems is known as the Food-Energy-Water (FEW) Nexus.
Topics include:
Additional Resources:
VOA News: Algal Turf Scrubbers
Food Energy Water Nexus Research featured on the Big Ten Network
How Maryland is cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay: With a specially-built algae growth system, University of Maryland researchers are scrubbing excess nutrients from Chesapeake Bay waters, a process that will help restore oxygen levels in the troubled coastal ecosystem. The algae, in turn, can be used to produce methane, a renewable resource for green energy.
Antimicrobial resistance is of increasing concern, with antibiotics use in agriculture and public health settings leading to an increase in bacterial resistance in the environment.
Topics Include:
Additional Resources:
Video explaining how farmers, veterinarians, farm workers, and lab technicians are working to ensure food safety through responsible antibiotic use.
Video explaining how farmers, farm workers, and veterinarians are working hard to make sure that dairy cows stay happy and healthy to produce the safest food and to address growing antibiotic resistance.
Video explaining how farmers, veterinarians, farm workers, and technical experts like animal housing engineers and ruminant nutritionists work together to ensure cows stay healthy (and don't need antibiotics).
Find the full list of publications on Google Scholar.
Awarded >50 grants valued at >$20 million. I served as the PI for >$15 million of the grant dollars awarded. Granting agencies have included federal government (DARPA, NSF, USAID, USDA-AFRI, DOE, US Air Force, US Dept. of Transportation, Sustainable Agricultural Research & Education (SARE), private foundations (Gates Foundation - 2 grants), state agencies (MD Dept. of Agriculture, MD Energy Innovation Institute, MD Industrial Partnerships, MD Energy Admin), UMD competitive programs, and one patent approved.
1. Presistent Oceanographic Device Power (PODPower)
News release on the DARPA grant for marine-based microbial fuel cells
Fuel Cell Works article on revolutionizing renewable energy for ocean monitoring devices
2. NSF Convergence Accelerator Track J: NourishNet - A Food Recovery Toolbox
3. NSF Convergence Accelerator Track J: MidAtlantic Food Resiliency Network – Securing the Future of Food through a Multi-Mindset Approach
4. Systematic Characterization of Variability in MSW Streams to Identify Critical Material Attributes for Fuel Production
5. Global FEWture Alliance: Transformative Food-Energy-Water Solutions to Ensure Community Resilience in a Changing Climate
6. Innovative Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) Production with Microbial Electrochemical Technology (MET) Incorporation for Community-Scale Valorization
7. Maryland Animal Waste Technology Assessment and Strategy Planning
8. Quantifying Cattle Manure-AMR Perceptions and Treatment System Variabilities to Develop a Novel Communication Framework for Conveying AMR Science and Mitigation Opportunities
9. NSF-INFEWS: UMD Global STEWARDS (STEM Training at the Nexus of the Energy Water Reuse and FooD systems)
10. STTR: Production of Biogas for Energy Production using Hydrodynamic Cavitation, Anaerobic Digestion, and Microbial Electrolysis Cells
11. Poultry Litter Biochar: Markets and Sustainability
12. Poultry Litter Digestion and Nutrient Recovery: Maryland Eastern Shore
13. Surveys and Communication of AMR: Human Dimensions Conference
Some of Dr. Lansing's lectures and teaching recordings on renewable energy and ecological design topics are available on her YouTube Channel: @stephanielansing5768.
ENST 415/ENST 615/MEES 615 (3 credits)
An overview of renewable energy technologies, their current applications and design criteria. Emphasis is placed on bioenergy (anaerobic digestion, biodiesel, and ethanol) solar, and wind energy. Fall Semester. See syllabus for more details.
ENST 481/ENST 681 (3 credits)
This is an advanced survey course on the field of ecological design and engineering. Principles of ecological engineering are applied through design of biologically-based waste treatment systems. Spring Semester. See ENST481 syllabus for more details. Or ENST681 syllabus here.
MEIH691
A data analysis course for the NSF-funded Global STEWARDS. See syllabus for more details.
ENST 689K (1 credit)
This seminar is co-taught via Zoom with six participating institutions (UMD, University of Nebraska, University of Minnesota, Oklahoma State University, North Carolina State University, Washington State University) with guest lectures in-person or via Zoom from experts in AMR throughout the world.
Principal Investigator
Contact: slansing@umd.edu

Assistant Research Scientist & Lab Manager
Dr. Amro Hassanein's experience includes anaerobic digestion, microbial fuel cell, microbial electrolysis cell, coagulation, nutrient capture, modeling, bioenergy, life cycle assessments, pyrolysis, and nanotechnology.
Contact: ahassane@umd.edu
Website: www.amrohassanein.com
Food Waste and Farm Waste Digestion and Fermentation Specialist & Laboratory Manager
Contact: emccoy19@terpmail.umd.edu
Budget Manager
Contact: cpoindex@terpmail.umd.edu
Contact: ahackula@umd.edu

Dr. Eid Gul is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Bioenergy Lab, University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on integrating artificial intelligence, Energy systems, Life cycle assessment, and techno-economic analysis to model sustainable energy and food systems. He currently leads Objective 3 of NSF-funded NourishNet project, developing AI-driven decision-support frameworks to optimize greenhouse gas reduction and resource recovery across U.S. food systems. His broader interests include AI for energy systems, carbon mitigation strategies, and the digital transformation of sustainability research.
Contact: egul@umd.edu
PhD Candidate
Anaerobic Digestion of Municipal Solid Waste
Contact: mnabulim@umd.edu

PhD Student
Anaerobic Co-digestion of Poultry Litter and Perennial Crops (Switchgrass and Miscanthus)
Contact: fahmidwi@umd.edu
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fahmi-dwilaksono-72373a86/
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MS Student
Animal Waste Technologies
Contact: rafian@umd.edu

Graduate Research Assistant
MS Applied Economics student assisting Nourishnet - NSF funded project headed by Dr Lansing.
Contact: radha@umd.edu

MS Student
Bukola Temitope Fabunmi is a Microbiologist, currently a master's student in Environmental Health Science at the School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park. My thesis research uses qPCR to detect antimicrobial resistance genes and zoonotic pathogens in biodigester effluent from Nepalese subsistence farming households. Molecular surveillance of these resistance genes and zoonotic pathogens is needed to generate evidence for targeted interventions, improve waste management, and develop more effective stewardship strategies.
Lab rotation at the Bioenergy and Biotechnology Lab will provide hands-on experience with anaerobic digestion systems, strengthen my skills in environmental health, and deepen my understanding of how biodigesters can be optimized to reduce pathogen and resistance risks.
Contact: btemioo@umd.edu
Bioenergy and Volatile Fatty Acids Production from Farm Waste, Food Waste, and Municipal Solid Waste
Bioenergy and Volatile Fatty Acids Production from Farm Waste, Food Waste, and Municipal Solid Waste
Bioenergy and Volatile Fatty Acids Production from Farm Waste, Food Waste, and Municipal Solid Waste
Bioenergy Production from Municipal Solid Waste
Bioenergy and Volatile Fatty Acids Production from Farm Waste, Food Waste, and Municipal Solid Waste
| Name | Current Position |
|---|---|
| Naresh Kumar Amradi, PhD | Postdoctoral Associate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Danielle Delp, PhD | Postdoctoral Associate, Rutgers University |
| Jenna Schueler, MS | Water Quality Research Assistant, Chesapeake Bay Foundation |
| Andrew Moss, MS | VP of Research & Development, Chomp |
| Katherine Klavon, MS | Senior Project Engineer, Stantec |
| Abhinav Choudhury, PhD | Environmental Research Engineer, Freshwater Institute, The Conservation Fund |
| Freddy Witarsa, PhD | Assistant Professor, Colorado Mesa University |
| Ashley Belle, PhD | Great Lakes Areas of Concern Specialist, University of Illinois Extension |
| Andrea Yarberry, PhD | Organic Chemical Metrology Group, NIST |
| Ahmed Abdellah | University of Pennsylvania Undergraduate Student |
| Emily Keller | |
| Emily McCoy, MS | Natural Resource Planner, Maryland Department of the Environment |
| Adanyro Atilago, MS | International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering PhD Student |
| Calder Baldwin-Bott |
