Dr. Kastner is trained as a chemical engineer and industrial microbiologist. Before accepting a faculty appointment at the University of Georgia, Dr. Kastner was a senior engineer in the Biotechnology Research Group at the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site. His present research activities include the development of environmental, nanostructured and chemical catalysts, and enhanced biomass pyrolysis and gasification processes for syngas/bio-oils to liquid fuels. Dr. Kastner is an avid recreational cyclist and mountain biker.

Education

Ph.D., Applied Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 1993
M.S., Chemical Engineering, Mississippi State University, 1987
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Magna cum Laude, Mississippi State University, 1984
B.S. in Biochemistry, Cum Laude, Mississippi State University, 1983

Professional Appoinments

• Associate Professor, University of Georgia College of Engineering, 2005 - present
• Assistant Professor, University of Georgia College of Engineering, 1999 - 2005 

Other Professional Experience

• Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Idaho National Environmental and Engineering Lab, 1993 -1995
• Senior Engineer, Savannah River Technology Center, 1995 - 1998

Research Focus

• Biochemical engineering
• Environmental, nanostructured and chemical catalysts
• Enhanced biomass pyrolysis and gasification processes

Publications and Scholarly Articles 

Google Scholar Page

Patents

Methacrylic Acid Production Method
U.S. Patent 10,138,306

Torrefaction reduction of coke formation on catalysts used in esterification and cracking of biofuels from pyrolysed lignocellulosic feedstocks 
U.S. Patent 9,175,235

Production of higher quality bio-oils by in-line esterification of pyrolysis vapor
U.S. Patent 8,900,416

Functionalized Carbon Catalysts and Adsorbent Materials by Plasma and Novel Hydrothermal Methods 

Bi-metal Supported Activated Carbon Monolith Catalysts for Selective Hydrogenation of Chemical Reactants