Colin M Beal
E-mail: colinmbeal@gmail.com, Phone: 540-230-5049
EDUCATION
5/2011
PhD, Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Fluid Systems, The University of Texas at Austin
12/2008
MS, Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Fluid Systems, The University of Texas at Austin
5/2007
BS, Mechanical Engineering, Cum Laude, Minors in Physics and Mathematics, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech)
EXPERIENCE
9/13 – Pres Cornell Marine Algal Biofuels Consortium, Kailua-Kona, HI
Energy Analyst and Design Engineer. Design and evaluation of a commercial scale
algal biofuel production facility; Supervisor: Dr. Mark Huntley
University of Texas at Austin, Webber Energy Group, Austin, TX
12/12 –
9/13
Post-doctoral Researcher. Produced energy-specific educational videos for PBS;
Adviser: Dr. Michael Webber
9/12 – 8/13
OpenAlgae LLC, Houston, TX
Engineering Consultant. Developed a cost and resource requirement model for
algal biofuel processing.
4/12 – 11/12 NASA, OMEGA Project, Santa Cruz, CA
Engineering Consultant. Conducted an energy, cost, and greenhouse gas
assessment for the NASA OMEGA algal biofuels system design.
2/12 – 2/13
American Journal Experts, Journal Paper Editor
4/11 – 8/11
University of Texas at Austin, Center for Electromechanics, Austin, TX
Post-doctoral Researcher. Developed algal biofuel production technologies.
9/08-3/11
University of Texas at Austin, Mechanical Engineering Department, Austin, TX
Graduate Research Assistant, PhD Candidate. Assessed constraints on algal
biofuel production in collaboration with the Center for Electromechanics; Advisers:
Drs. Robert Hebner, Rodney Ruoff, and Michael Webber.
8/09-12/09
University of Texas at Austin, General Engineering Department, Austin TX
Teaching Assistant. Instructor for General Engineering Calculus I
8/07-8/08
University of Texas at Austin, Mechanical Engineering Department, Austin, TX
Graduate Research Assistant, Master’s Student. Evaluated the effects of a fire
fighting tactic called positive pressure ventilation (PPV); Adviser: Dr. Ofodike Ezekoye
8/07-12/08
Energetic Materials and Products Inc., Austin, TX
Engineering Contractor. Developed explosives; Supervisor: Dr. Dennis Wilson
5/07-8/07
Baker Oil Tools, Baker Hughes, Houston, TX
Intern. Created a model for an intelligent well system; Supervisor: Luis Mendez.
8/06-5/07
Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering Department, Blacksburg, Virginia
Undergraduate Researcher. Performed drag reduction experiments for oil pipelines;
Supervisor: Dr. Ken Ball
5/06-8/06
University of Texas Mechanical Engineering Department, Austin, TX
Undergraduate Researcher. Fire research; Supervisors: Drs. John Howell and
Ofodike Ezekoye
12/05-5/06
Virginia Tech College of Engineering Student Assistance Center, Blacksburg, VA
Tutor. Mathematics, physics, and engineering
C. M. Beal / December 2013 / p. 1
6/05-8/05
Columbia University Physics Department, Nevis Labs, Ebubble, New York, NY
Research Experience for Undergraduates. Researched neutrino physics;
Supervisors Drs. Jeremy Dodd and Raphael Galea
6/04-8/04
DOE Brookhaven National Lab, Physics Department, KOPIO, Upton, NY
Undergraduate Researcher. Characterized scintillation materials for particle physics;
Supervisors Drs. Mike Sivertz and Nicolo Cartiglia
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
1. Wiley et al., “Microalgae Cultivation using Offshore Membrane Enclosures for Growing Algae
(OMEGA),” Journal of Sustainable Bioenergy Systems, 2013, 3: p. 18-32.
2. Beal C.M., Stillwell A.S., Cohen S., Berberoglu H., Connelly R., King C.W., Bhattarai R., Hebner
R.E., Webber M.E., “Energy Return on Investment for Algal Biofuel Production Coupled with
Wastewater Treatment,” Water Environment Research, 2012, 84(9): p. 692-710.
3. Beal C.M., Hebner R.E., Romanovicz D.K., Mayer C.C., and Connelly R.L., “Progression of Lipid
Profile and Cell Structure in a Research-Scale Production Pathway for Algal Biocrude,” Renewable
Energy, 2013, 50: p.86-93.
4. Beal C.M., Hebner R.E., Webber M.E., Ruoff R.S., Seibert A.F., and King C.W., “Constraints on
Algal Biofuel Production,” Energies, 2012, 5(6): p.1943-1981.
5. Beal C.M., Hebner R.E., and Webber M.E., “Thermodynamic Analysis of Algal Biocrude
Production,” Energy, 2012, 44: p. 925-943.
6. Beal C.M., Hebner R.E., Webber M.E., Ruoff R.S., and Seibert A.F., “The Energy Return on
Investment for Algal Biocrude: Results for a Research Production Facility,” BioEnergy Research,
2011, 5(2): p.341-362.
7. Weinschenk C., Beal C.M., and Ezekoye O.A., “Modeling Fan Driven Flows for Firefighting Tactics
using Simple Analytical Models and CFD,” Journal of Fire Protection Engineering, 2011, 21(2):
p.85-114.
8. Beal C.M., Smith C.H., Webber M.E., Ruoff R.S., and Hebner R.E., “A Framework to Report the
Production of Renewable Diesel from Algae,” BioEnergy Research, 2010: p. 1-25.
9. Beal C.M., Webber M.E., Ruoff R.S., and Hebner R.E., “Lipid Analysis of Neochloris oleoabundans
by Liquid State NMR,” Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2010, 106(4): p.573-583.
10. Huang Y.Y., Beal C.M., Cai W.W., Ruoff R.S., Terentjev E.M., “Micro-Raman Spectroscopy of
Algae: Composition Analysis and Fluorescence Background Behavior,” Biotechnology and
Bioengineering, 2010, 105(5): p.889-898.
11. Beal C.M., Fakhreddine M., and Ezekoye O.A., “Effects of Leakage in Simulations of Positive
Pressure Ventilation,” Fire Technology, 2009, 45(3): p.257-286.
CONFERENCE PUBLICATIONS
1. Beal C.M., Hebner R.E., Webber M.E., Ruoff R.S., and Seibert A.F., “The Energy Return on
Investment for Algal Biocrude: Results for a Research Production Facility,” ASME Congress
(IMECE), IMECE2010-38244, November 2010.
2. Beal C.M., Smith C.H., Webber M.E., and Ruoff R.S., “A Framework to Report the Production of
Biodiesel from Algae,” 2009 ASME Energy and Sustainability Conference, ES2009-90075, July
2009.
3. Beal, C.M. and Ezekoye O.A., “Effect of Exit Vent Location on Fire Room Conditions During PPV,”
2008 ASME Heat Transfer Conference, HT2008-56456, August 2008.
PRESENTATIONS
1. Beal C.M., McKuin B., Wiley P., and Trent J., “Energy, Cost, and GHG Impact of the NASA
OMEGA System,” NASA Headquarters Government Day, (Washington, D.C., 13 September 2012).
C. M. Beal / December 2013 / p. 2
2. Beal C.M., “Algal Biofuels: Energy and Water,” Webber Energy Group Research Symposium,
(Austin, TX: 21 January, 2011). (Video Available)
3. Beal C.M., Hebner R.E., Webber M.E., Ruoff R.S., and Seibert A.F., “Energy Return on Investment
for Algal Biofuel,” ASME Congress (IMECE), (Vancouver, BC, Canada: 15 November 2010).
4. Beal C.M., “Energy Return on Investment for Algal Biofuel,” ABO Algal Biomass Summit, (Phoenix,
AZ: 28 September 2010).
5. Beal C.M., Webber M.E., Ruoff R.S., Hebner R.E., Romanovicz D., and Connelly R., “Analytical
Tools for Evaluating Algal Biodiesel Production,” 2010 ASME Energy and Sustainability
Conference, (Phoenix, AZ: 21 May 2010).
6. Webber M., Beal C., Wogan D., Smith C., Ruoff R., and Hebner R., “An Integrated Model and
Framework for Assessing the Potential of Algae-Based Biodiesel,” UCSD - Scripps Inst. of
Oceanography, (La Jolla Shores, CA: 17 February 2010).
7. Beal C.M., Smith C.H., Webber M.E., and Ruoff R.S., “A Framework to Report the Production of
Biodiesel from Algae,” 2009 ASME Energy and Sustainability Conference, (San Francisco, CA: 21
July 2009).
8. Beal C.M. and Ezekoye O.A., “A Study of the Impact of Positive Pressure Ventilation on
Residential Fires,” 2008 ASME Heat Transfer Conference, (Jacksonville, FL: 11 August 2008).
9. Beal C.M. and Wilson R.M., “Electron Bubble Simulation and Theory,” Columbia University Nevis
Labs REU Presentations, (Irvington, NY: 5 August 2005).
10. Beal C.M., “Scintillator Testing and Characteristics,” American Association of Physics Teachers,
(Albuquerque, NM: 11 January 2005).
POSTERS
1. Beal C.M., Smith C.H., Webber M.E., Ruoff R.S., and Hebner R.E., “A Framework to Report the
Production of Renewable Diesel from Algae,” ABO Algal Biomass Summit, (Phoenix, AZ: 28-30
September 2010).
2. Connelly R. et al., “The Fate of Algal Lipids Through Processing,” ABO Algal Biomass Summit,
(Phoenix, AZ: 28-30 September 2010).
3. Werst M. et al., “New Developments in Technology,” ABO Algal Biomass Summit, (Phoenix, AZ:
28-30 September 2010).
4. Beal C.M., “Net Energy Balance for Algal Biofuel Production,” United Kingdom Energy Research
Council Summer School, (Warwick University, Coventry, England: June 2010).
5. Beal C.M., Smith C.H., Webber M.E., and Ruoff R.S., “A Framework to Report the Production of
Biodiesel from Algae,” ABO Algal Biomass Summit, (San Diego, CA: 7-9 October 2009).
6. Beal C.M., “Production of Biodiesel from Algae: An Engineering Challenge,” IEEE 125th year
anniversary meeting, (Austin, TX: 30 April 2009).
7. Beal, C.M., “Thermal Gradient Tables Using Thermo-electric Devices,” Virginia Tech Mechanical
Engineering Field Day, (Blacksburg, VA: 29 September 2006).
8. Beal C.M., “Scintillator Detection Characteristics and Efficiency,” Society of Physics Students
Conference, (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN: 13 November 2004).
9. Beal C.M., “Scintillator Detection Characteristics and Efficiency,” Undergraduate Research
Symposium, (Blacksburg, VA: Virginia Tech College of Engineering, 14 October 2004).
Other Publications
Twomey K., Beal C.M., King C.W., and Webber M.E., “Biofuels: an Energy and Water Conundrum,”
The World Energy Monitor, 2012, 3(3).
Cuellar A., Beal C.M., “Global Food Production: the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly,” Scientific American
Guest Blog, Online September 2011.
Beal C.M., “Constraints on Algal Biofuel Production,” Doctoral Dissertation, 2011. (Available Here)
C. M. Beal / December 2013 / p. 3
JOURNAL PAPER REVIEWER
Journals: Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sensors, Applied Energy, Phytopathology, Journal of
Raman Spectroscopy, BioEnergy Research, African Journal of Biotechnology, Water
Research, AoB PLANTS, Biologia, Energy
PATENTS
On-line Test Equipment and Analysis Procedure to Determine Material Balance in Algal Processing for
Biofuel Production. Hebner R., Beal C.M., Beets T., Connelly R., Fountain M., Katz L.E., Kinney K.A.,
Poenie M., Seibert A.F., and Werst M.D., Application Submitted
HONORS
2010
United Kingdom Energy Research Council Summer School Participant
2008
University of Texas at Austin Mechanical Engineering Thrust Fellowship
2006
Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering Edward H. Cahill Scholarship
Sigma Pi Sigma National Physics Honor Society Inductee
2005
2003
Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering Stanley Ragone Scholarship
Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering Hamilton Mabie Scholarship
Virginia Tech Physics Hugh D. Ussery Scholarship
Virginia Tech Honors Department Horton Scholarship Finalist
Virginia Tech Physics Webster and Sarah Richardson Scholarship
Virginia Tech Athletic Director’s Honor Roll Recipient
National AP Scholar Award Recipient
2002
AP Scholar with Distinction Award Recipient
2004
MEMBERSHIPS
2006-present
2003-present
2007-2011
2003-2005
Member of Sigma Pi Sigma Physics Honor Society
Member of Society for Physics Students
Member Society of Fire Protection Engineers
Virginia Tech Varsity Baseball
OTHER EXPERIENCE
2013-2014
Kealakehe High School Baseball Coach, Kailua-Kona, HI
2011
Professional Hunting Guide, Wayne Graves Outfitters, Kaycee, WY
2011
John B. Connally High School Summer Baseball Coach, Austin, TX
2009-2011
Assistant, Chisholm Trail Veterinary Clinic, Lockhart, TX
2005-2007
Farm Hand, Virginia Tech Kentland Farms, McCoy, VA
2005-2007
Blacksburg High School Baseball Coach, Blacksburg, VA
2002-2005
Construction Worker, Triplett Const. Inc., Blacksburg, VA
1996-2007
Co-owner, Beal Cattle Enterprises, Blacksburg, VA
LANGUAGES
Spanish
TRAVEL
Countries
Conversational
Espanol I & II Credits via CLEP Language Exam, Score 54, July 2011
Espanol II Austin Community College, Austin TX, Grade A, July – August 2011
Lived in South America 12/2011 – 3/2012
Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, India, Japan, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Peru,
Spain, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam
C. M. Beal / December 2013 / p. 4