Dr. Andro Mondala is the new Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering.
At WMU, Mondala’s research program will focus on the sustainable reuse and reduction of agro-forestry, municipal, industrial, and biorefinery solid wastes and residues using bioconversion processes for the production of high value bioproducts and specialty chemicals such as fungal chitosan – a highly versatile biopolymer with wide-ranging applications.
Or, in simple terms, he will be focusing on ways to convert waste product from mills, refineries, and other industries into a useable product with wide-ranging applications through biological processes.
As a student, Mondala's research focused on the development of a novel technology that integrates bioremediation with sustainable biofuels and bioproducts generation. During his postdoctoral work, Mondala built upon that concept and led a multidisciplinary team in the design, installation, testing, and optimizations of the Sustainable Energy Research CEnter (SERC) Biocrude Pilot Plant.
Additionally, he led research efforts for potential deployment and integration of technology in commercial-scale industrial wastewater treatment processes—this technology is at the commercial evaluation and licensing phase.
As the industry continues to focus on finding ways to reduce cost and increase efficiency, processes that turn waste into product are increasingly popular and Chemical Engineering students at WMU will have another knowledgeable faculty member to prepare them for employment in these growing areas.
Mondala received his BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of the Philippines Los Baños and his PhD in Engineering from Mississippi State University. Previously, he was appointed as a Senior Research Associate in Swalm School of Chemical Engineering at Mississippi State university. To learn more about the skills and knowledge Mondala brings to WMU, please follow the link below:
WMICH.EDU — Faculty: Mondala
To learn more about the Department of Chemical and Paper Engineering, please follow the link below:
WMICH.EDU — Chemical and Paper Engineering