Christopher Brigham
My focus is on development and instruction of courses related to biological engineering for the Biological Engineering program. Research topics like biopolymer and biofuel production are used as teaching aids to develop student projects. The focus is mostly on hands-on, laboratory-based course development. My background is in molecular biology and microbiology. My research expertise is in molecular and physiological characterization of biotechnologically useful microorganisms. I have published many papers on bioplastic and biofuel synthesis using the bacterium Ralstonia eutropha as a microbial chassis. For student projects, I am open to characterization and application of other microorganisms, as well.
I have taught a variety of courses in my career in academia, ranging from introductory chemistry to biotechnology unit operations. I also serve on several committees here at Wentworth, including Institute Curriculum Committee, School of Engineering Curriculum Committee, First Year Engineering Task Force, New Programs Committee and more.
Additionally, I review manuscripts for many different biotechnology journals. It is my passion to advance the field of biotechnology in this way. I am Executive Editor at the journal Biotechnology Letters, and also Editor for AMB Express journal and International Journal of Biotechnology for Wellness Industries.
Degrees
Achievements
Associate Professor in the Program of Biological Engineering. Chair of the Biological Engineering Curriculum Development Committee.
My Work
Courses taught:
Fundamentals of Biological Engineering
Biological Instrumentation and Measurement
Unit Operations and Process Control
Biotransport Phenomena
Metabolic Engineering
Synthetic Biology
Environmental Biology for Engineers
Engineering Chemistry
Introduction to Engineering Design
Engineering Senior Design
Biochemistry
Advanced Molecular Biology
Applied Engineering Analysis
Recent publications:
McCusker JR, Brigham CJ, Ghanavati A. 2022. Data And Stakeholder Driven Redesign of a First-Year Engineering Curriculum. ASEE First Year Engineering Experience conference – Full paper. Paper ID# 36407.
Gutschmann B, Bock MCE, Jahns S, Neubauer P, Brigham CJ, Riedel SL. 2021. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of Ralstonia eutropha during plant oil cultivations reveals the presence of a fucose salvage pathway. Sci Rep. 11(1): 14267.
Chakravarty J, Rabbi MF, Chalivendra V, Ferreira T, Brigham CJ. 2020. Mechanical and biological properties of chitin/polylactide (PLA)/hydroxyapatite (HAP) composites cast using ionic liquid solutions. Int J Biol Macromol. 151:1213-1223
Chakravarty J, Semerdzhiev D, Silby MW, Ferreira T, Brigham CJ. 2019. Properties of solvent-cast chitin membranes and exploration of potential applications. Materialia. 8: 100452
Yang YH, Brigham CJ, Yi DH, Song HS, Jung HR, Yoon JJ, Jeon JM, Bhatia SK, Yang SY, Choi TR, Kim YG. 2019. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) terpolymer production from volatile fatty acids using engineered Ralstonia eutropha. Int J Biol Macromol. 138: 370-378
Brigham C. 2019. Perspectives for the biotechnological production of biofuels from CO2 and H2 using Ralstonia eutropha and other ‘Knallgas’ bacteria. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 103(5): 2113 - 2120
Professional societies:
American Society of Microbiology (ASM)
American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE)
American Chemical Society (ACS)
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
Other information:
Executive Editor - Biotechnology Letters
Editor - AMB Express
Editor - International Journal of Biotechnology for Wellness Industries
Associate Editor - Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology