The Renewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI) has appointed two additional Strategic Initiative Leaders (SILs) to help shape the next phase of its research and engagement strategy: Joel Kostka and Titiksha Fernandes. 

SILs serve on RBI’s leadership team and play a strategic role in expanding interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening Georgia Tech’s leadership in the bioeconomy, and catalyzing new research and education initiatives across campus. 

“RBI’s work has always been about connecting strong science and engineering to the needs of Georgia’s forestry and renewable materials industries,” said Carson Meredith, director of RBI. “Joel and Titiksha bring leadership that strengthens both sides of that work — advancing the biological foundations of renewable systems while building the business and entrepreneurship capacity needed to translate discovery into durable impact.” 

Advancing Microbial Biotechnology for the Forest Bioeconomy 

Joel Kostka, Tom and Marie Patton Distinguished Professor and Associate Chair for Research in the School of Biological Sciences, will lead a strategic initiative focused on microbial biotechnology in renewable bioproducts. His initiative leverages microbiology and microbiome engineering in a systems approach to address woody biomass utilization, biorefining, microbial contamination in pulp and paper processing, and the development of forest and plant feedstocks. 

The effort complements RBI’s existing strengths in chemistry and engineering, including initiatives such as the ReWOOD Center, by bringing cutting-edge microbial science into the modernization of the forest industry. 

The initiative centers on two core areas: improving biomass deconstruction and bioconversion, and engineering plant and soil microbiomes to support the development of climate-resilient biomass feedstocks. 

“Natural microbiomes, those microbes that are intimately associated with plants and soils, already drive the natural cycles that break down organic matter, recycle nutrients, and help plants to grow better,” said Kostka. “If we understand and engineer those systems more intentionally, we can unlock more efficient bioconversion pathways and help build a forest bioeconomy that is both productive and climate resilient.” 

Kostka’s research studies the role of microbes in the functioning of ecosystems ranging from oceans to terrestrial subsurface environments. Through this initiative, he aims to connect that foundational microbial science to use-inspired solutions in renewable bioproducts. 

Bridging Business and Bioproducts 

Titiksha Fernandes will lead RBI’s initiative to develop structured collaboration with the Scheller College of Business. Her effort will establish a strategic framework for exploring deeper RBI–Scheller engagement across research, education, and entrepreneurship. 

The initiative will explore integrating business training into RBI fellowship programs, engaging business graduate students in RBI research, strengthening industry partnerships, and advancing joint entrepreneurship activities that translate scientific discoveries into ventures. 

“Scientific innovation alone doesn’t create impact,” said Fernandes. “We need the strategy, entrepreneurship, and systems thinking that allow discoveries to move from the lab into markets and communities. This initiative is about building those pathways intentionally.” 

Fernandes currently serves as extension professional for the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact, an initiative of the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business. In this role, she advances initiatives in materials circularity and food and agriculture. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and is a Certified Circular Economy Manager, with experience designing sustainability and resource efficiency policy at national and state levels, including work on e-waste reform in India and circular economy implementation in the U.S. 

RBI’s Strategic Initiative Leaders are appointed for renewable 12-month terms and are expected to foster new interdisciplinary collaborations that extend beyond their home units. Leaders participate in shaping research directions, reviewing fellowship proposals, developing workshops and symposia, and connecting faculty, students, industry, and national laboratories.