By Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JAN. 16, 2026 –UTRGV has been awarded a $299,999 education-outreach grant to help with a global initiative working to transform agricultural waste into biodegradable materials.

The grant, part of the National Science Foundation’s Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts (GCSB), is a five-year, $5 million international project that runs through 2029. It brings together researchers, educators and students from six countries – the United States, Korea, Finland, Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom – to build a circular, zero-waste economy.

The collaborative is led by Principal Investigator Dr. Arthur Ragauskas, a Governor’s Chair Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Tennessee and an internationally recognized expert in bio-based materials, with co-PIs representing partner institutions across the globe, including UTRGV.

FROM WASTE TO BIO INNOVATION

At UTRGV, the project’s educational direction is guided by Dr. Clara Joungyun Choi, assistant professor of Visual Communication Design and UTRGV’s principal investigator for the GCSB initiative. Choi helps bridge the center’s global sustainability research with opportunities for local students and families.

Students and families from the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association Texas Coastal Bend chapter join UTRGV for the K–12 STEM Art Contest, reflecting one of the program’s many community partnerships in sustainability education. (Courtesy photo)

“What makes this project exciting is how it brings science, creativity and sustainability together,” Choi said. “Students can see firsthand how environmental challenges can be addressed through innovative materials and design-based problem-solving.”

The NSF center focuses on converting agricultural byproducts – such as corn stalks and rice straw – into environmentally friendly materials that reduce reliance on plastics.

The international team is developing biodegradable plastics, advanced 3D- and 4D-printed materials, and new recycling methods that support a circular, zero-waste economy. The approach blends engineering, science and design thinking to create practical, sustainable bioproducts while preparing the next generation of problem-solvers.

Students take part in a sustainability-themed learning activity using 3D pens during a workshop connected to UTRGV’s education and outreach efforts through the NSF Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts. (Courtesy photo)

UTRGV serves as the lead institution for the center’s education and workforce development initiatives, and Choi oversees programming that makes sustainability learning accessible from kindergarten through graduate school. The work includes interactive workshops for K–12 classrooms, hands-on laboratory experiences, the study abroad course Design Thinking in Sustainable Science, and international research exchanges that connect UTRGV students with partner institutions.

The university recently completed its first year of workshops, study-abroad activities and community outreach, with more opportunities planned.

LOCAL IMPACT

Through the GCSB, UTRGV students gain access to hands-on sustainability research that strengthens both technical and creative skills. Students learn how agricultural waste can be reimagined as new materials with real-world applications.

The work extends beyond campus: K–12 workshops, art contests and outreach events introduce local families to concepts such as conservation, sustainable design and biodegradable materials –efforts that build a stronger STEM pipeline in the Rio Grande Valley.

“Grants like these don’t just fund research,” Choi said. “They invest in people, places and potential. They empower UTRGV students, uplift local communities and advance a more sustainable and equitable future.”

As part of UTRGV’s role in the NSF Global Center for Sustainable Bioproducts, students gain hands-on experience in the lab, studying how plant-based waste materials can be transformed into biodegradable products. (Courtesy photo)

Choi said the GCSB stands out for connecting global collaboration with local impact, and the project highlights how universities can lead sustainability efforts while supporting diverse communities. She hopes students walk away with confidence in their ability to contribute to environmental solutions.

“I want them to know they can contribute meaningfully to environmental challenges,” she said. “Whether they’re in a classroom, lab, or study abroad program, they belong in these spaces.”