UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Sibel Irmak, research professor of agricultural and biological engineering, has received the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access) Award from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) for her efforts helping and encouraging young scientists and underrepresented minority students, making significant contributions to creating a welcoming and equitable environment in academia. The award was presented at the society’s annual international conference, held in Toronto, Canada, this year.
The society recognized Irmak for her innovative and impactful research programs, which have contributed significantly to the science of biofuels, particularly gas biofuel hydrogen and the development of biobased renewable polymers for agricultural applications.
A 10-year member of ASABE, Irmak is chair of its Forest Engineering Committee and a member of the society’s Biomass Energy and Industrial Byproducts committees, as well as serving on the technical advisory group for ISO/TC Biogas. She also maintains active memberships in the American Chemical Society and International Association for Hydrogen Energy.
Irmak maintains a strong research record, having published extensively in high-impact-factor journals. She has mentored more than 30 graduate students as a major advisor or graduate committee member and also has provided guidance to a significant number of undergraduate students, as well as six visiting scholars from various countries.
Her research integrates chemistry fundamentals with biomass and agricultural materials to produce value-added products, including biofuels, that contribute to the economy and enhance agricultural productivity. Her role as a research professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Penn State is a multifaceted position, balancing research with teaching and mentorship. She dedicates 75% of her time to research within the department, while also instructing two courses: Processing and Manufacturing Systems for Bioproducts and Analysis Bioproducts.
In 2020, Irmak received the Nejat Veziroglu Special Award — named for an international leader in hydrogen energy and former president of International Association for Hydrogen Energy — in recognition of her significant contributions to hydrogen energy and technologies. Irmak’s team is among the pioneering research groups utilizing biomass as a direct feedstock for hydrogen production via aqueous-phase reforming technology, rather than relying on biomass model compounds.
She has also been awarded the NZFUW/Daphne Purves Award, presented by the International Federation of University Women in Geneva, Switzerland, for her significant contributions in mentoring and effective networking, as well as for advocating for women scientists’ equality and empowerment through access to quality secondary and tertiary education and training.
Beyond her direct academic duties, Irmak demonstrates a strong commitment to the institution's academic and research governance. She participates on several university committees, including the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences non-tenure-track line faculty promotion and tenure committee, the research advisory committee, the agricultural and biological engineering graduate studies committee, and the college faculty award committee.