Dr. Emily Heaton

Professor, Regenerative Agriculture

Director, Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (I-Regen) go.illinois.edu/irai

Feedstock Production Theme Lead, Dept. of Energy Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (www.cabbi.bio)

heaton6@illinois.edu S-308 Turner Hall

Heaton_Biosketch.pdf

I am a Professor of Regenerative Agriculture in the Crop Sciences department at the University of Illinois.  My research investigates the growth and productivity of perennial C₄ grasses to guide their management for biomass, ecosystem services, and profit. As Feedstock Production Theme Leader for the Center of Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) I advance CABBI’s generation of fundamental plant science for production of climate-smart, resilient grass crops that produce value-added bioproducts. As director of I-Regen, an I-state Regenerative Agriculture Initiative, I connect researchers and stakeholders to advance knowledge and practices that foster health and wealth, particularly in disinvested Midwest communities. My family owns and operates Caveny Farm near Monticello, IL where we graze cattle, sheep, and heritage poultry for local sale; the farm serves as inspiration and proving ground for our ideas and collaborations. I came back to Illinois after twelve wonderful years at Iowa State University, where I remain an Affiliate Professor in the Dept. of Agronomy.

Shah – Al Emran, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

September 2021- Present

emran2@illinois.edu

Linkedin (Shah-Al Emran | LinkedIn )

Hello! I am Shah-Al Emran, a researcher and educator dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture and building resilient food systems in the face of climate change. My work combines cutting-edge research with practical applications to address real-world agricultural challenges.

I specialize in sustainable and climate resilient agriculture, integrating perennial biomass crops and utilizing data-driven tools such as remote sensing and machine learning to optimize both productivity and sustainability. My research focuses on smallholder systems in climate-vulnerable regions as well as commercial-scale innovations in the U.S. Midwest.

Teaching and mentorship are equally important to me. I am particularly interested in courses that explore sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, and agroecosystem resilience to inspire the next generation of leaders in sustainable farming. Whether in the classroom, laboratory, or field, I aim to connect knowledge with action.

Please explore my site to learn more about my research, publications, and teaching initiatives. Let’s collaborate to shape the future of agriculture!

Anya Knecht

I-Regen Assistant Director

15 years at UIUC; IRAI/I-Regen & Heaton Lab since 2020

knecht2@illinois.edu (217)-244-1410

Anya Knecht is the Assistant Director at I-Regen, University of Illinois, where her work spans agriculture, gut microbiome, and regenerative practices, integrating health and nutrition. Knecht assists in guiding the mission of IRAI along with Heaton and orchestrates the operational and administrative core of the initiative. She also founded Knecht Research Consulting and Design, focusing on human factors/systems engineering and interdisciplinary research, emphasizing community engagement, system design, and education. Raised in the Midwest, Anya’s work is influenced by her experience on her 10-acre farm, exploring the relationship between diet, health, and the environment, aiming to create biodiverse, circularly managed systems responsive to climate challenges. At the Beckman Institute, she was instrumental in executing large-scale interdisciplinary studies on neuroscience effects of exercise, nutrition, and aging. The “Knecht Theory” she developed guides decision-making in health and agriculture, promoting adaptability, biodiversity, and sustainability through informed choices that address climate change, health, and the interdependence of soil and human health.

Michael Masters

Field Research Specialist

January 2024 – Present

mmasters@illinois.edu S-306 Turner Hall

Masters Curriculum Vitae.pdf

I joined CABBI and the Heaton lab in January 2024 to continue more than 15 years of research on bioenergy crop biogeochemistry. My interests delve primarily belowground and currently focus on questions pertaining to root growth, C allocation, and turnover. I have brought my diverse background in soil C dynamics and greenhouse gas fluxes into a more traditional agronomic focus, although primarily with Miscanthus x giganteus. We are interested in knowing what drives differences in aboveground productivity within a single genotype and have ongoing experiments across fields and states to address this. I have had the privilege of working at the University of Illinois Energy Farm since 2008 and have been a part of the collection and analysis of many long-term data sets generated there. I describe myself as a methods person, and I love to adapt well-used procedures with new technology to address interesting scientific questions for both lab and field applications. I enjoy the days spent away from my desk the most, either in the lab buried under countless soil samples or pulling cores with a Giddings probe!

Heather Roney

Ph.D. Student

2022- Present

hroney2@illinois.edu

Hello! I am PhD student working under Dr. Heaton to help better understand carbon pools and fluxes in agriculture, focusing on the perennial bioenergy crop Miscanthus x giganteus. My PhD project connects many areas of CABBI’s current research objectives, including quantification of farmgate emissions, spatial variation in biomass pools, and the connection of spatial variability to large-scale carbon sequestration of crop canopies. When completed, this work will help unify several running areas of investigation within CABBI and help enable future research in the department. My short-term goals include finishing my PhD and connecting these areas of research and ushering in a new era of research into bioenergy crops. My long-term goals are to go into industry to use my expertise on perennial cropping systems obtained from my time here at UIUC. I look forward to what the future brings!

Killian Delaney

Research Assistant

Kd33@illlinois.edu

Killian Delaney Resume.pdf

Killian Delaney is a driven researcher with a strong background in crop sciences and regenerative agriculture. With expertise in greenhouse gas modeling, geospatial technologies like ArcGIS, and data analysis using R and Python. She has effectively collaborated with farmers, research institutions, and federal agencies to advance sustainable agricultural practices. She also has experience in project management, database creation, and public speaking, having presented research at international conferences. A former business owner, Killian has also contributed to prairie ecosystem restoration through the Revival Seed Company, demonstrating a passion for conservation and biodiversity.

Theodore Hartman

Visiting Postdoctoral Research Associate

2023- Present

tmihart@illinois.edu S-306 Turner Hall

Growing up on a small farm in Southwest Iowa, I developed an early appreciation for the impact that weather and climate can have on our agroecosystems. Following this interest, I went to Iowa State University for a B.S. in meteorology and a Ph.D in agricultural meteorology. My work focuses on using the fusion of remotely sensed data and agroecosystem models to improve predictions of agricultural production and ecosystem services for existing and emerging cropping systems on our landscapes.

Galvin McQuellon

Academic Hourly Employee

November 2023-Present

galvinm2@illinois.edu

Hi there! I am currently a full-time hourly employee in the Heaton Lab. I aid in the day-to-day operations of the lab and assist in fieldwork necessities for various research projects focused around Miscanthus x giganteus. I enjoy the opportunities to help make a difference in agricultural research surrounding climate change and perennial cropping systems. My long-term goals include working in an academic or governmental position as a research specialist, helping usher in a new era of regenerative agricultural practices in the Midwestern US.

Cate Loomis  

IL SARE Coordinator

February 2024 – Present

cloomis3@illinois.edu 217-333-1106

Cate Loomis Resume

Cate has been the IL Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program Coordinator as a part of IL Extension since February 2024. They have ten years experience developing and coordinating grant funded conservation agriculture programs.  For six of these years they were responsible for applying for and managing the agricultural research and environmental advocacy grants that funded this work, including a multi-year SARE grant. They now use their grant writing experience and knowledge of the SARE program to help farmers, researchers, and agriculture educators learn about and apply for SARE grants. Additionally, their experience as a regenerative produce farmer gives them first-hand knowledge of the challenges farmers face and the kinds of tools and knowledge that can help them. When not working on IL SARE, Cate enjoys working on their farm, playing in nature with their kids, building or fixing all sorts of things, and when possible, taking the odd night off to just relax with their partner.