Dr. Joy Doran Peterson

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University of Georgia
Bioenergy Task Force
Chair
University of Georgia
College of Arts and Sciences
Microbiology
Professional Headshot of Joy Doran Peterson

Mailing Address

204 Biological Sciences
Microbiology Department
Athens, Georgia 30602
United States

Contact Information

Phone: (706) 542-4115
Fax: (706) 542-2476
jpeterso@uga.edu
http://www.uga.edu/mib/people/peterson.htm

Qualifications

Ph.D., University of Florida, Microbiology and Cell Science, 1994.

Expertise and Research Interests

Joy Doran Peterson is an Assistant Professor in the Microbiology Department at the University of Georgia and is a member of the Faculty of Engineering and the Academy of the Environment. She was recently appointed as Chair of the pan-campus UGA Bioenergy Group, composed of about 80 members involved in bioenergy related issues and research. Dr. Peterson is also currently Chair-Elect for the American Society of Microbiology Division O, Fermentation Technology and Biotechnology and is the webmaster for the Division. She will take over as Chair of this group in July 2008.

The general theme of Dr. Peterson's research is the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products, including liquid fuels. Dr. Peterson's laboratory has three major specific aims currently being addressed through several ongoing projects. The specific aims of these projects focus on improving enzyme producing fungi, enhancing the capabilities of fermenting organisms, and discovering novel biocatalysts and degradative enzymes. She then integrates these improvements and new discoveries with chemical and/or physical pretreatments, enzyme digestions, and fermentations for specific applications.

Other Expertise

Insect microbe interactions
Environmental microbiology
Fermentation Biochemistry
Production of lignocellulose degrading enzymes from bacteria and fungi

Future Research

Large-scale Metagenomics

Industrial Relevance

Lignocellulose conversion to ethanol
Industrial waste stream processing
Value-added products for agriculture and forestry

Keywords

COS Keywords:

Agriculture, Environmental Sciences, Fermentation, Forestry and Woodlands, Microbiology.

Additional Terms:

Bioenergy, Environment, Ethanol, Fermentation, Forestry, Insect, Lignocellulose, Microbiology, Sugarbeet, Sugarcane, Value-added Agriculture.

Languages

(Reading, Writing, Speaking)

Spanish: (Basic, Basic, Basic)

Memberships

American Chemical Society
American Society for Microbiology
Faculty of Engineering at the University of Georgia
Institute of Biological Engineering
International Society for Microbial Ecology
Society for Industrial Microbiology
Southeastern Branch of the American Society for Microbiology

Honors and Awards

2006, Honors Faculty Mentor, University of Georgia Honors Program, University of Georgia
1999-2000, Research Professorship Award, State of Michigan, Central Michigan University
1998-1999, Excellence in Teaching Award, State of Michigan, Central Michigan University
1998-1999, Provost's Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity, State of Michigan, Central Michigan University

Previous Positions

1999-2001, Associate Professor, Central Michigan University, Biology
1995-1999, Assistant Professor, Central Michigan University, Biology
1992-1995, Graduate Student Research Assistant, University of Florida, Microbiology and Cell Science, Laboratory of Lonnie Ingram

Patents

Bioethanol Production from Southern Yellow Pine, Patent Number: Pending, 2008, United States of America.
Methods for Producing and Using Polymyxins, Patent Number: Prov. 60/961373, 2007, United States of America.
Grass hydrolysis with a pressurized batch hot water reactor, Patent Number: Prov. No. 60/997761, 2007, United States of America.

Funding Received

  • United States Department of Energy (DOE): Sequencing the natural Biorefinery in a Lignocellulose Degrading Insect, Tipula abdominalis, 2007 to 2009.
  • National Science Foundation (NSF): Mobilome Genomics: Large Plasmids of Diverse Prokaryotic Groups. PI: AO Summers. Total Grant: $1,100,000, 2007 to 2009.
  • Traditional Industries Program State of Georgia: Ethanol Production from Pulp and Paper Sludge, $ 118,000, 2007 to 2009.
  • Traditional Industries Program State of Georgia: Recovery of Small Stems and Forest Residues for Bio-Based Products and Energy., $ 67,500, 2007 to 2008.
  • Industry MeadWestvaco: Ethanol from pulp and paper sludge from MeadWestvaco, $10,000, 2007 to 2009.
  • United States Department of Energy (DOE): Biorefining and carbon cycling initiative, $ 91,000, 2006 to 2007.
  • Industry Grant from C2 Biofuels: Bioethanol Production from Southern Yellow Pine, $104,000, 2005 to 2008.
  • University of Georgia: Using Georgia's Warm Season Grasses as substrates for biobased industrial products, $64,000, 2003 to 2005.
  • National Science Foundation: REU Site: Research in Prokaryotic Biology, $409,892, 2002 to 2008.

Publications

  • Joy Doran Peterson, Selected Publications, 2007-2008, 31 Jan 2008
  • Ximenes, E.A., Brandon, S.K., and Peterson, Joy Doran. (2008) Evaluation of a Hypocrea jecorina Enzyme Preparation for Hydrolysis of Tifton 85 Bermudagrass., Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
  • Doran -Peterson, J. B., Henriksen, E. D., Cook, D.M., (2008) Microbial conversion of sugars from plant biomass to ethanol and lactic acid., The Plant Journal, In Press
  • Peterson, J. Doran, and L. O. Ingram. (2008) Respiration in an anaerobic environment with an internal electron acceptor to produce fuel ethanol, Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, In Press
  • Brandon, S.K., Eiteman, M.A., Patel, K., Richbourg, M.M., Miller, D.J., and Peterson, J. D. (2008) Hydrolysis of Tifton 85 Bermudagrass in a Pressurized Batch Hot Water Reactor., J. Chemical Technol. Biotechnol., In Press
  • Anderson, W.F., Dien, B.S., Brandon, S.K., and Peterson, J.D. (2008) Assessment of Bermudagrass and Bunch Grasses as Feedstock for Conversion to Ethanol, Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, In Press
  • Cook, D.M., Henriksen, E.L., Upchurch, R.A., and Peterson, J. D. (2007) Isolation of polymer-degrading bacteria and characterization of the hindgut bacterial community from the detritus-feeding larvae of Tipula abdominalis, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 73 (17), 5683-5686.
  • Henriksen, E., Phillips, D., Peterson, J. (2007) Polymyxin E production by Paenibacillus amylolyticus, Letters in Applied Microbiology, 45, 491-496

Profile Details

Last Verified: 1/31/2008

COS Expertise ID #1020470
Reference this profile directly: http://myprofile.cos.com/jpeterso