[IISE Faculty List] New Bezos Center co-led by ISE faculty Rohan Shirwaiker

[Julie Swann]

Dear IE Faculty:

On Friday, May 31, there was a public announcement and launch of a new
center at NC State, funded by the Bezos Foundation. The center was proposed
by and is co-led by Rohan Shirwaiker, with several other ISE faculty
involved (e.g., Jordan Kern, Russell King, Fred Livingston come to mind).
I believe this is the first major investment of the Bezos Foundation at a
university.

The interdisciplinary center is focused on making it efficient and
effective to produce protein to help sustainability feed the world's
population, which is expected to be 10 billion people by 2050. It involves
numerous partner universities (including NC A&T, Duke, and others),
companies, and governmental organizations across agriculture, food science,
and other areas.

I think this is an exciting new opportunity led by faculty in Industrial
Engineering, and I wanted to share it with you.

Best,
Julie Swann

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May 31, 2024 | ArticlesShirwaiker Co-leads Bezos Center for Sustainable
ProteinBy Rob Lasson

Original Article
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Today, the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein launched at North Carolina
State University. ISE’s Rohan Shirwaiker, a co-director of the center along
with Bill Aimutis, expressed his excitement about the initiative. The
Bezos Earth
Fund awarded NC State $30 million over five years to lead a center of
excellence aimed at creating a biomanufacturing hub for environmentally
friendly, healthy, tasty, and affordable dietary proteins. The Earth Fund’s
commitment of $100 million establishes a network of open-access research
and development centers focused on sustainable protein alternatives,
expanding consumer choices.

The center plans to collaborate with partners from academia and industry to
conduct research, develop innovative technologies, and commercialize
sustainable protein solutions. It will also provide training for the
emerging industry workforce and gather insights into consumer preferences
regarding protein.

Chancellor Randy Woodson acknowledged NC State’s unique position as a
land-grant university in a state with significant animal agriculture,
emphasizing its role in shaping the future of sustainable food production.
He expressed gratitude for the support from the Bezos Earth Fund, which
will drive economic and workforce development in sustainable protein
production.

Protein is essential for human health, and as the global population grows,
ensuring access to environmentally responsible protein sources becomes
increasingly important. Andrew Steer, President and CEO of the Earth Fund,
highlighted the urgency of finding ways to feed a growing population
without degrading the planet.

The grant funding will support research on three main types of sustainable
proteins: plant-based products, precision fermentation for food
formulations, and cultivated meat grown from animal cells. The aim is to
reduce prices, enhance flavor and texture, and ensure the availability of
nutritious and affordable protein options.

As co-director of the center, Rohan Shirwaiker is committed to expanding NC
State’s biotechnology and advanced manufacturing expertise. The center’s
partnerships and capabilities will significantly contribute to advancing
sustainable protein research and development.

Moreover, the initiative is expected to attract biomanufacturing firms to
North Carolina, leading to job creation and economic growth. Collaborations
with university and community college partners will prepare the workforce
for advanced food technology jobs, while industry partnerships will support
food production and processing, benefiting small companies and start-ups.

By working closely with academic and industry partners, including N.C. A&T
State University, the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Duke
University, and Forsyth Tech Community College, the center aims to drive
innovation, technology transfer, and workforce development.

This announcement builds upon the Bezos Earth Fund’s broader commitment of
$1 billion to transform food and agricultural systems. Together, they
strive to support healthy lives without degrading the planet, with a
particular focus on reducing emissions from livestock.
-- 

Julie L. Swann, PhD

A. Doug Allison Distinguished Professor & Department Head, Fitts Industrial
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North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC 27695-7906

jlswann at ncsu.edu
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