JOHN M. OWENS
PO Box 2924, High Springs, FL 32655 USA, Tel: 352/281-4936, owensjm@ufl.edu
AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION
Microbial conversion processes and bioprocess engineering involving optimization and control of microbial conversion of biomass and waste to food, fuels, chemicals and fertilizers. Microbial engineering, advanced soil and water management engineering, biological and agricultural systems simulation, municipal refuse disposal, advances in biodegradation and microbial bioengineering, aquatic microbiology, principals of water chemistry, engineering analysis, groundwater remediation, statistics, biochemistry, microbiology, sanitary microbiology, biological treatment, agricultural waste management, biochemical engineering, process control, industrial waste management, water quality, wastewater treatment, environmental microbiology, energy from renewable resources, microbiology of anaerobic environments, degradation of toxic organics, global biomethanogenesis, development of web based course materials and web sites, training for web site development.
EDUCATION
| Year | University | Degree | Major/Minor |
| 1993 | University of Florida | Ph.D. | Agricultural and Biological Engineering / Env. Eng. |
| 1987 | North Carolina State University | M.S. | Biological and Agricultural Engineering / Biochem. Eng. |
| 1981 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | B.S. | Agricultural Engineering |
WORK EXPERIENCE
1994 - Current: Professional consulting services in areas of expertise: research and training in organic waste conversion and utilization in agricultural operations, microbial fermentation and product development, business development for transfer of related technology, and development and training for internet-based materials.
2008: Associate Director BioFuels Pilot Plant for the Florida Center for Renewable Chemicals and Fuels. Responsible for equipment procurement, set-up, training, safety, experimental design and analysis for new biofuels process development laboratory in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at The University of Florida. The lab is initially focusing on supporting process design of the Cellulose Ethanol Research Plant to be located adjacent to Florida Crystals Sugar Mill and New Hope Biomass Power Plant in South Bay, FL. The lab includes a 10-L batch steam hydrolyser, scale-up of fermentation equipment to 140 L, fractional distillation for by-product development and various analytical instruments.
2007: Adjunct Faculty/Lecturer for the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept. at the University of Florida. Teaching ABE 2062 Biology for Engineers. Assist in research and training on research for conversion of sugar beet tailings to biogas.
2006 - 2007: OPS Professional Teaching Assistant in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept. at the University of Florida. Teaching ABE 2062 Biology for Engineers. Research and training for NASA sponsored SEBAC project. Research and training in bioprocess engineering on the Biochemical Methane Potential analysis of biomass materials.
1999- 2006: President of Walkable Communities, Inc., a non-profit corporation, established in the state of Florida in 1996. It was organized for the express purposes of helping whole communities, whether they are large cities or small towns, or parts of communities, i.e. neighborhoods, business districts, parks, school districts, subdivisions, specific roadway corridors, etc., become more walkable and pedestrian friendly.
1996-2004: Assistant for Dr. David P. Chynoweth, in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Dept. at the University of Florida. Design, Instructor for ABE 3062L Biological Engineering Laboratory for Spring 2003. Research and training for NASA sponsored SEBAC project. Research and training in bioprocess engineering on the Biochemical Methane Potential analysis of biomass materials. Set-up and administration of Microsoft Frontpage for remote web-site development on departmental network. Development of and training for web based course materials for ABE 2062, Biology for Engineers I and ABE 4660, Bioprocess Microbiology.
1999 - 2002: Coordinator of the Santa Fe Springs Water Quality Work Group.
1995 - 1996: Substitute teaching in Alachua County schools.
1993 - 1994: Bioprocess Engineer, Vice-President, Corporate Treasurer, Member of Board of Directors, and principal owner of Full Circle Solutions, Inc., Gainesville, Florida. Fulfilling technical requirements of various client's waste management needs including design calculations, technical reviews, cost estimation, permitting, and training requirements. Contributing to internal technology research and development efforts. Preparing proposals, publications, developing marketing information, developing business plans, completing accounting and tax needs for the firm.
1992 - 1993: Bioprocess Engineer and General Partner for Full Circle Associates, an organic-waste management firm. Consulted with various clients to meet their needs including, poultry waste treatability analysis, expert testimony on dairy waste management, and permit review. Contributed to internal technology research and development efforts. Prepared proposals and publications, developed marketing information, completed accounting and tax needs for the firm.
1989 - 1992: Research Assistant in the Agricultural Engineering Dept. at the University of Florida. Conducted research in bioprocess engineering on numerous anaerobic digestion related projects. Activities included proposal preparation, experimental design, analytical procedures, supervision of OPS employees, systems and economic analysis, computer instrumentation and programming, report and publication preparation.
1987 - 1989: Process Engineer at Floyd Agricultural Energy Corp., Ltd., a fuel ethanol producer. Responsible for research and development, technical design modifications, and start-up of a full scale UASB digester treating distillation bottoms. Designed biogas cleanup, storage, and utilization systems. Supervised a research engineer and a laboratory technician, provided training to plant operators, facilitated fermentation start-up, designed cooling water system for distillation and anhydrous columns. Solicited and managed grant funding from DOE/TVA. Negotiated Industrial Water and Sewer contracts with county Public Service Authority.
1984 - 1986: Research Assistant under Dr. L.M. Safley in Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept. at NCSU. Operations, monitoring, and modification of full-scale anaerobic digester converting poultry manure to methane used in peak power electrical generation. Construction of covered lagoons treating swine and dairy manures. Operation of bench scale study of swine waste digestion in upflow sludge bed digesters.
1983 - 1984: Residential Building and Construction of custom designed homes with Contractor David Cole, Moneta, VA. Plumbing, electrical wiring, rough and finish carpentry.
1982 - 1983: Engineering Officer Trainee, promoted to General Engineer for Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tuscaloosa, AL. Supervisor: George Zak, P.E., Asst. Chief Engineering Service. Responsibilities included supervision and design of plans and specifications for maintenance and construction contracts. Supervised extensive asbestos removal projects.
1982: Student Technician for Dr. Jack Parker of Va. Tech Agronomy Dept. Responsible for programming computers to calculate unsaturated hydraulic conductivity from in situ measurements.
1981: Student Technician for Dr. Hughs of Va. Tech Agricultural Engineering Dept. Fabrication and installation of solar panels for Energy Extension Program.
CONSULTING ASSOCIATIONS
| Company | Location | Contact | Year |
| Anaerobic Technologies, LLC | New Orleans, LA | Dave Wyatt | 2006 |
| Soil & Water Science Dept., University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Ann C. Wilkie, Ph.D. | 2004 |
| R. Stuart Royer and Associates, Inc | Richmond, VA | William Randell, PE | 2004 |
| Biotech Systems, LLC | Gainesville, FL | Mark Robertson | 2003 |
| Ixion Biotechnology, Inc | Gainesville, FL | Harmeet Sidhu | 2002 |
| Soil & Water Science Dept., University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Ann C. Wilkie, Ph.D. | 2001 |
| PJK Inc. | New York, NY | Paul Kallan | 1998 |
| Gainesville Regional Utilities | Gainesville, FL | John Regan, P.E. | 1998 |
| ABC Research Corp. | Gainesville, FL | Diane Northcott | 1998 |
| ABC Research Corp. | Gainesville, FL | Lloyd Woolsey, Ph.D. | 1997 |
| Gaffney Engineering | Gainesville, FL | Jerry Gaffney, P.E. | 1996 |
| Pragmatic Environmental Solutions Company | Roanoke, VA | Luke Staengl, President | 1996 |
| Gainesville Regional Utilities | Gainesville, FL | John Regan, P.E. | 1995 |
| Soil & Water Science Dept., University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | Ann C. Wilkie, Ph.D. | 1995 |
| Kenetech Resource Recovery, Inc. | Sarasota, FL | Richard Schroeder | 1995 |
| Kimberly-Clark Corporation | Neenah, WI | Ben Minerath | 1993 |
| McPherson, Coffey, and Kalishman, P.A. | Gainesville, FL | John McPherson | 1993 |
| Biorganic Energy, Inc. | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Rafael San Migel | 1992 |
| Sybron Biochemical Division | Salem, VA | Jessi Tisinger | 1992 |
| Little River Brewery | Floyd, VA | John Winnicki | 1992 |
| UNISYN Biowaste Technology | Waimanalo, HI | Matt Lyum | 1992 |
| BioRegional Energy Associates, Ltd. | Floyd, VA | Luke Staengl | 1990 |
| Floyd Agricultural Energy Corp., Ltd. | Floyd, VA | Jeff Walker | 1990 |
| RAD Environmental Services | Durham, NC | Marc Y. Menetrez, Ph.D. | 1986 |
PROPOSALS FUNDED
Contributing investigator to "Conversion of sugar beet tailings to electricity". 2006, $1 million 3-yr demonstration project funded by Exel Energy to UF and American Crystal Sugar Company.
"Biochemical Methane Potential of Screwworm Production Wastewater from Chiapas MX". 2004 by R. Stuart Royer and Associates Inc., Richmond VA.
"Technical evaluation of fixed-film anaerobic digestion of flushed dairy manure" Subcontract to Soil and Water Sciences Department, Univ. of Florida, 2003.
"Process Development for Scale-up Production of Oxalobacter formigenes for Use as a Probiotic" Ixion Biotechnology, Inc. 2002.
"Technical evaluation of water use and waste production for flushed dairy manure" Subcontract to Soil and Water Sciences Department, Univ. of Florida, 2001.
"Technical evaluation of the use of benthic algal growth chambers for the recovery of nutrients from flushed dairy manure" Subcontract to Soil and Water Sciences Department, Univ. of Florida, 2000.
"A Proposal for the Design of SPIC petrochemicals PTA wastewater system." Pragmatic Environmental Solutions Company, Roanoke, VA, 1996.
"Beneficial Use of Biosolids Through Biological Enhancement of Landfills." Gainesville Regional Utilities Water and Wastewater Engineering Division, 1995.
"Percolating-bed anaerobic composting of food waste", USDA SBIR Fiscal Year 1995 Phase I Proposal $55,000.
"Technical Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestion and By-product Recovery in the Biomass to Fuel Ethanol Industry," subcontract to Univ. of Florida, as part of NREL funded project, 1995.
"Biochemical Methane Potential of Two Poultry Industry Waste Streams," $3,900 funded in 1992 by Biorganic Energy, Inc. to Full Circle Associates of Gainesville, FL.
"The Use of UASB Digesters for Treating Fuel Ethanol Wastewaters," $39,200 funded by DOE through TVA's 1987 SERBEP program to BioRegional Energy Associates, Ltd. of Floyd, VA. Principal Investigator, Brecc Avellar.
Teaching grant for Chiapas, Mission Teaching Foundation, 10/97.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
PUBLICATIONS SUMMARY
| Type of Publications | Number |
| Refereed | 16 |
| Non-Refereed | 17 |
| Other | 11 |
| Total | 44 |
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Chynoweth, D. P., J. M. Owens, A. A. Texeira, P. Pullammanappallil and S. S. Luniya. 2005. 'Anaerobic digestion of space mission wastes." Proceedings of 4th International Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion of Solid Waste," 31 Aug- 2 Sept, 2005, Copenhagen.
Chynoweth, D.P., Haley, P., Owens, J., Teixeira, A, Townsend, T., Xu, Q, and Choi, H.L. “Anaerobic composting for recovery of nutrients, compost, and energy during space missions.” Paper presented at the ORBIT Conference, Perth, Australia. 2003.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS(*)
* Indicates presentation by Owens.
Last Edited: 04/25/08