The Howard P. Isermann Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, in collaboration with the School of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), is thrilled to announce that Mattheos Koffas, Ph.D., has been selected as the recipient of the inaugural Feltham ReEquip Award. This award was created to propel groundbreaking scientific research and foster educational innovation by funding the acquisition or upgrading of essential laboratory equipment. It symbolizes the enduring commitment of Ned ’62 and Nanci Feltham, its philanthropic founders, to the progress of chemical and biological engineering at RPI.
Dr. Koffas, the eminent Dorothy and Fred Chau ’71 Constellation Professor in Biocatalysis and Metabolic Engineering, was chosen for this honor in recognition of his groundbreaking research and leadership in the field of metabolic engineering. His work primarily focuses on developing microbial platforms for producing pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and other valuable biochemicals. These efforts have resulted in substantial advancements in the realms of synthetic biology and metabolic pathway engineering, placing him at the forefront of bioengineering innovation.
With an impressive portfolio that includes over 170 peer-reviewed publications, 12 book chapters, and 12 patents, Koffas is a distinguished figure in bioengineering. He is acknowledged for his seminal contributions to the field by prestigious bodies such as the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, validating his fellowship. Moreover, he chairs the Society for Biological Engineering and holds editorial positions in premier bioengineering journals, further demonstrating his influence and leadership in the field.
Koffas’ research has been facilitated by a wide range of support, from federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), and the National Science Foundation (NSF), to entities like New York State through NYSTEM, and industrial partners such as Evonik, Firstwave Technologies, and Alcon. This extensive support underscores the significance of his work and its potential impact on the biotech industry.
The Koffas Research Group plans to utilize the Feltham ReEquip Award to acquire an Eppendorf epMotion 5075t Liquid Handler. This advanced robotic platform will expedite their genome editing efforts using TALEs and novel HIV integrases. This initiative, spearheaded by graduate student William Lawler, aims to enable the high-throughput generation of DNA sequence libraries. These libraries will be instrumental in developing gene therapies, particularly those targeting Alzheimer’s disease, a key area of focus for the lab.
The Feltham ReEquip Award mirrors the Felthams’ unwavering dedication to RPI and the progress of chemical and biological engineering. Ned Feltham, a 1962 chemical engineering graduate of RPI, and his wife, Nanci, have been long-standing generous supporters of the institute. Alongside this award, they have backed the Van Ness Award Lecture Series and provided support to the Chemical and Biological Engineering Excellence Fund and the Rensselaer Annual Fund. Their philanthropic efforts continue to empower research and education at RPI, fostering innovation and progress in bioengineering.
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