By Blake Jackson
Mary Akingbasote entered the University of Kentucky’s Ph.D. program with a clear goal: to conduct research that could help turn waste into valuable resources.
Akingbasote interest in the field began while she was studying engineering at Penn State University, where she discovered research from the Barzee Bioprocessing Laboratory, according to Grace Sowards, Agriculture Communications Specialist at the University of Kentucky.
The laboratory is led by Tyler Barzee, an assistant professor in the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering at the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
Barzee research includes modeling bioprocesses for new food products, improving the value of bioproducts and nutrient cycling, and conducting life cycle assessments and techno-economic analyses.
For Akingbasote, the work closely matched an interest that began on her family’s poultry farm in Nigeria. She wondered how agricultural waste could be managed more effectively while also creating an opportunity for additional income.
“It was my father’s farm that made me think about waste and how to use waste better,” Akingbasote said.
That experience encouraged her to pursue agriculture as an undergraduate. She later moved to the United States to study agricultural and biosystems engineering at Penn State. After learning about Barzee’s research, she contacted him and eventually participated in a UK BAE recruitment visit.
“A couple of things about Mary stood out,” Barzee said. “First, she has a passion for agricultural sustainability and renewable energy (especially anaerobic digestion) that is based largely on her experience growing up in Nigeria on her father’s farm. Second, I was impressed with Mary’s experience with publishing Extension articles and giving presentations. This definitely signaled that Mary was capable in not only getting the science done but also communicating the value of those results to her stakeholders.”
At UK, Akingbasote is researching ways to use waste gases generated by Kentucky’s bourbon industry to produce platform chemicals. The work could contribute to sustainable biomanufacturing and create new opportunities for rural communities.
“Mary’s research explores using waste gases from Kentucky’s bourbon industry to create platform chemicals that can support sustainable biomanufacturing in rural areas across the state,” Barzee said. “I am inspired by Mary’s passion for upgrading agricultural wastes and also her self-driven attitude to work as hard as she can to realize her goals and dreams.”
Akingbasote was also selected as a 2026-2029 Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research Fellow. Through the fellowship, she will receive professional development, career guidance, and opportunities to connect with graduate researchers nationwide.
“The goal of the program is for us to have both the research skills and the soft skills to thrive in our workplace,” Akingbasote said.
“I’ve met some of the current and past fellows at conferences and it gives us a sense of community. I feel I could reach out to them for guidance or mentorship.”
As she continues her Ph.D., Akingbasote plans to explore both research and career opportunities before deciding where her work will take her.
Photo Credit: sabrina-hounshell
Categories: Kentucky, Education