December 9, 2013
K-State adjunct professor Peter Czermak takes on leading role in creating new insect biotechnology center
Peter Czermak, adjunct professor in the department of chemical engineering at Kansas State University, has been selected as one of two co-coordinators for a new $100 million center for insect biotechnology at Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
Czermak, who is also a professor at Justus Liebig University and the University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen in Germany, has been selected as one of the two co-coordinators of the new LOEWE Center for Insect Biotechnology at Justus Liebig University. The center’s initial six-year funding package is $48.8 million with an additional $40.7 million for the construction of a new building on the Justus Liebig campus in Giessen contributed by federal and state governments. In addition, $17.6 million in industrial funding is committed.
K-State's first reciprocal study abroad agreement was with Justus Liebig University in the 1960s.
Czermak has been teaching an advanced undergraduate/graduate course, Engineering Aspects of Cell Culture and Tissue Engineering, on a biennial basis at K State for a number of years. Eight of Czermak’s graduate students, co-advised by Peter Pfromm in the chemical engineering department at K-State, have completed research for their theses.
Czermak’s new role in leading the creation of a major research institute in an advanced area of biotechnology will offer additional opportunities for research and teaching collaboration with K-State’s strong programs in entomology, chemistry and chemical engineering.