After completing an interdisciplinary Ph.D. at Rutgers University in the areas of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Bioresource Engineering, Dr. Luis F. Rodríguez was awarded a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship to work at NASA Johnson Space Center considering the viability of life support systems targeted for Martian exploration. Later, he became a research scientist at the Universities Space Research Association in Houston, TX. Dr. Rodríguez is currently an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department.

Dr. Rodríguez specializes in the modeling, simulation, and analysis of biological systems. The long-term goal of this work is to have tangible impact on biosystems where sustainability may be challenged due to limiting constraints. As an engineer, Dr. Rodríguez seeks to consider how newly developed technology can impact the long-term viability systems. Dr. Rodríguez is interested in developing the ability to do this from multiple perspectives, for many different types of systems, particularly those including biological components.

Dr. Rodríguez brings a systems perspective into his teaching. His most recent additions to the curricula include the development of Sustainable Biosystems Engineering Laboratory, where students take a systems approach in problem solving, assessment, improvement, and design of innovative biosystems including bioenergy production and vertical agriculture.

Luis F. Rodriguez joined the University of Illinois in August of 2005. Dr. Rodriguez completed his interdisciplinary Ph.D. at Rutgers University in the areas of Industrial and Systems Engineering and Bioresource Engineering. Dr. Rodriguez subsequently was awarded a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship to work at NASA Johnson Space Center considering the viability of long-term human missions to the Moon and Mars. Later he became a Research Scientist at the Universities Space Research Association in Houston, TX.

Dr. Rodriguez specializes in the modeling, simulation, and analysis of biological systems ranging from microscale ecosystems designed for denitrification to the analysis of regional-scale bioenergy feedstock production systems designed for cellulosic ethanol production. The domains considered in his work include: mitigation of pollutants in agricultural runoff waters, cost and quality analysis of corn-to-ethanol technology options, informatics for analysis in bioenergy, decision support for agro-ecosystems, and biological modeling of carbon balances in agricultural systems. The basic thrust of the collective body of work addresses the fact that essential resources will be severely depleted in the future. The long-term goal of this work is to have tangible impact on systems where sustainability may be challenged due to limiting constraints. As an engineer, Dr. Rodriguez seeks to consider how newly developed technology can impact the long-term viability systems. Dr. Rodriguez is interested in developing the ability to do this from multiple perspectives, for many different types of systems, particularly those including biological components.