The Carbon Utilization Redesign for Biomanufacturing (CURB) Engineering Research Center (ERC) is a $26 million initiative funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) over five years. Established in 2024, CURB will create bio-manufacturing systems that use CO2 as a feedstock for a broad range of products much more efficiently than current state-of-the-art engineered and natural systems.
Recent News from CURB
CURB director among WashU faculty elected to AAAS
Eleven WashU faculty members are among the nearly 500 new fellows selected by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), one of the most distinct honors in the scientific community.
Four named senior members of National Academy of Inventors
Vijay Ramani, a leading researcher with the NSF CURB Engineering Research Center and Roma B. and Raymond H. Wittcoff Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Energy, Environmental & Chemical Engineering at WashU, has been named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors, recognizing his patented innovations and pioneering work in electrochemical energy conversion and storage that advance sustainable energy solutions and economic impact.
Ottley appointed to UN panel on artificial intelligence
CURB congratulates Alvitta Ottley, associate professor of computer science and engineering at WashU and CURB Thrust 2 co-lead, on her appointment to the United Nations Independent Scientific Panel on AI, where she will help guide global decisions on artificial intelligence after being selected from more than 2,600 candidates worldwide.
CURB Research Experiences for Teachers (RET) Program now available
CURB has launched its first Research Experiences for Teachers program available this summer 2026. This paid opportunity is open to middle school teachers near WashU, Texas A&M and the University of Delaware. Participants will engage in electro-biomanufacturing research and develop classroom curriculum that supports sustainability education. Program details now available!