Corinne Fuller has been appointed as the co-director of the Washington State University-Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Bioproducts Institute. She assumed the role in July.
“I’m excited about this opportunity to build a community with staff, students, and professors at both PNNL and WSU to advance our bioenergy technologies,” said Fuller, who has worked at PNNL since 2007.
The WSU-PNNL Bioproducts Institute is a joint research collaboration between WSU and the U.S. Department of Energy’s PNNL. The institute was created in May 2018 to advance science that reduces the environmental impact of transportation and products. The institute also develops a pipeline of talent to meet future workforce needs.
The institute combines comprehensive analytic tools with plant sciences, biotechnology, catalysis, and materials science. It aims to create innovative, economical, and environmentally friendly, engineered, bio-based materials, sustainable fuels, and value-added chemicals. Production, characterization, and deployment of sustainable aviation fuel is core to the institute.
“Corinne brings extensive experience to this position. She is uniquely positioned to advance the vision of the WSU-PNNL Bioproducts Institute and deliver regional and national impact. WSU is looking forward to working with Corinne in her new role,” said Christopher Keane, vice president for research at WSU and vice chancellor for research at WSU Pullman.
Since 2016, Fuller has served as manager of the Bioenergy Technologies Programs at PNNL. She has been responsible for PNNL’s research portfolio on infrastructure ready biofuels, products, and energy. This portfolio includes sustainable utilization of marine, terrestrial, biomass and waste streams for fuels, and chemicals via thermal, biological, and catalytic conversions. It also includes GIS-based resource availability and supply chain analysis, TEA/LCA, and sustainability analysis.
“The Bioproducts Institute is a vital part of the Pacific Northwest’s standing as a hub of clean energy innovation,” said Jud Virden, associate laboratory director for the Energy and Environment Directorate at PNNL. “Corinne has vast knowledge and experience with biosciences. She has worked with both WSU and PNNL on many projects. With strong leadership qualities, Corinne’s passion and drive will help advance the Institute into the future.”
Fuller received her Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a Master of Science Degree in chemical and environmental engineering from the University of California, Riverside. She also has a Master of Arts Degree in organizational development and change from Fielding Graduate University and a Masters in Business Administration from WSU.
Fuller will lead the WSU-PNNL Bioproducts Institute with Joshua Heyne, co-director of the Bioproducts Institute and associate professor of mechanical engineering in the WSU School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Jonathan Male, assistant vice chancellor for research and the director of National Laboratory Partnerships in the WSU Office of Research, previously served as co-director for the WSU-PNNL Bioproducts Institute.
