This is a past event.

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker Series

proudly presents

Chang Kyoung Choi, PhD

Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Michigan Technological University

Abstract

In the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, a stark reminder has echoed through the corridors of science and society alike: our interaction with the natural world, particularly at the human-animal interface, is a double-edged sword. The pandemic, driven by the zoonotic SARS-CoV-2 virus, alongside other outbreaks like the Nipah virus, points to a critical nexus of human activity, habitat destruction, and zoonotic diseases. This complex web underscores an urgent need for innovation in mitigating pathogen emergence. Cellular Agriculture stands at the forefront of this innovation, offering a sustainable and safe protein alternative that could redefine our relationship with the natural world. By growing meat and seafood directly from cells, this revolutionary method proposes not just a solution to the problem of zoonotic diseases by reducing human-animal contact, but also addresses the burgeoning demand for meat in a growing population. Unlike traditional livestock farming, a notable contributor to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions, cellular agriculture offers a promising path forward with its minimal ecological footprint, reduced land use, and efficient production processes. As we delve deeper into the potentials of cellular agriculture, this presentation will navigate through the current landscape of this field, highlighting its pivotal role in ensuring food security and environmental sustainability. We will examine the leap towards commercialization of cultivated meats, acknowledging the progress made and the hurdles that lie ahead. From technical challenges in scaling up production to ensuring nutritional and sensory parity with conventional meat, the path is fraught with challenges yet brimming with potential. This journey towards a sustainable, resilient food system pivots on cellular agriculture, a beacon of hope for a healthier planet. Our exploration into the advancements and obstacles of this field is not just an academic endeavor but a call to action for collective efforts in reshaping the future of food production.

Bio

Dr. Choi, an associate professor in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Technological University, is renowned for his contributions to heat transfer, phase changes, and biomedical engineering. His work advances multimodality imaging systems, with 97 peer-reviewed articles, 4 pending, and over 100 conference contributions. He leads the K-22 visualization technical committee in the ASME heat transfer division and organizes sessions for ASME-IMECE and ASME-SHTC. His academic excellence is recognized by the 2016 Michigan Tech Distinguished Teaching Award and his active involvement with the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association as a Technical Group H councilor. He also serves as an ABET evaluator. Furthermore, Dr. Choi enriches the academic community as an associate editor for the Journal of Flow Visualization and Image Processing, a guest editor for the Journal of Heat Transfer, and an associate editor for the Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Advances, showcasing his dedication to fostering innovation and knowledge dissemination in engineering.

Invited by: Radheshyam Tewari