Breeanna Urbanowicz
About Breeanna Urbanowicz
Breeanna Urbanowicz is an Early Career Research Fellow at the Center for Bioenergy Innovation and an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia. Her research focuses on plant carbohydrate active enzymes and the biochemical pathways involved in polysaccharide biosynthesis and modification.
Work at Ridge
Breeanna Urbanowicz serves as an Early Career Research Fellow at the Center for Bioenergy Innovation within Oak Ridge National Laboratory. She has held this position since 2018. Her work focuses on advancing research in bioenergy through the study of plant carbohydrate active enzymes. This role allows her to contribute to innovative projects aimed at enhancing bioenergy production and sustainability.
Current Position at University of Georgia
Since 2013, Breeanna Urbanowicz has been an Assistant Research Scientist at the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center at the University of Georgia's Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. In 2019, she also took on the role of Assistant Professor. Her research involves the development of recombinant enzymes that facilitate specific modifications of polysaccharides, contributing to the understanding of plant carbohydrate biochemistry.
Education and Expertise
Breeanna Urbanowicz earned her Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Purdue University, studying from 1997 to 2001. She furthered her education at Cornell University, where she obtained her Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Plant Biochemistry from 2002 to 2008. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her research in plant carbohydrate active enzymes and biochemical pathways.
Research Focus
Urbanowicz's research primarily investigates plant carbohydrate active enzymes involved in the biosynthesis and modification of polysaccharides. She utilizes nature-inspired molecular tools for the targeted functionalization and labeling of glycopolymers. Additionally, she conducts in vitro studies of plant biochemical pathways through the expression and analysis of recombinant plant enzymes.
Achievements in Enzyme Development
Breeanna Urbanowicz has developed a significant collection of recombinant enzymes that catalyze specific covalent modifications of polysaccharides. This work enhances the understanding of polysaccharide structure and function, which is crucial for various applications in bioenergy and biotechnology.