Dr. Susan M. Williams (Stagg-Williams)
- Charles E. & Mary Jane Spahr Professor
- Department Chair
- Faculty Athletics Representative
Contact Info
Learned Hall, Room 4132G
1530 W. 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
1530 W. 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
Personal Links
Education —
B.S. in Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, 1994, Ann Arbor, MI
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, University of Oklahoma, 1999, Norman, OK
Research —
Our research group focuses on converting low-value feedstocks like algae, agricultural residues, and municipal sludge into renewable fuels and high-value products. The research spans from catalyst design to reaction engineering and process intensification. We also study how feedstock properties influence product quality. We collaborate with researchers in chemical, environmental, and mechanical engineering at KU and beyond. The group is committed to hands-on, meaningful research that prepares students to solve real-world sustainability challenges.
Research interests:
- biofuels
- hydrothermal liquefaction
- biomass conversion
- reaction engineering and catalysis
Selected Publications —
- Romero, A.D., Poli, J. V., Larson, S., Stagg-Williams, S, Carter, R., Sturm B.S.M, (2025) Inhibition of nitrifying bacteria from heterocyclic N-containing organic compounds from municipal sludge hydrothermal liquefaction, Frontiers in Chemical Engineering (7), doi:10.3389/fceng.2025.1532958.
- Gaire, A., Stagg-Williams, S., Depcik, C., (2023) Growing hydrogen production by merging the glycerol steam reforming and water gas shift reactions into a single reactor. Chemical Engineering Communications, doi: 10.1080/00986445.2023.2287501.
- Alimoradi, S., Stohr, H., Stagg-Williams, S., & Sturm, B. (2020). Effect of temperature on toxicity and biodegradability of dissolved organic nitrogen formed during hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass. Chemosphere, 238. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124573
- Hable, R. D., Alimoradi, S., Sturm, B.S.M., Stagg-Williams, S.M. (2019). Simultaneous solid and biocrude product transformations from the hydrothermal treatment of high pH-induced flocculated algae at varying Ca concentrations. Algal Research, 40, 101501.
- Pickett, D., Depcik, C, & Stagg-Williams, S. M. (2108). Use of the Glycerin By-product from Biodiesel Production for Power Generation. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, doi:10.1115/1.4039819.
- Alimoradi, S., Stohr, H., Stagg-Williams, S., & Sturm, B. (2018). Effect of temperature on recalcitrant dissolved organic nitrogen (rDON) concentration: Application of thermochemical treatment of biosolids. In Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation. (14), 2093-2099.
- Alimoradi, S., Hable, R., Perkins, A., Stagg-Williams, S., & Sturm, B. (2017). Fate of phosphorous after thermochemical treatment of algal biomass. In Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation. (8), 3888-3891.
- Alimoradi, S., Hable, R., Perkins, A., Stagg-Williams, S., & Sturm, B. (2017). Strategies to Maximize P Recovery and Minimize Biochar Formation from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Biomass. In Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation. (3), 529-536.
- Fortier, M.O.P, Roberts, G. W., Stagg-Williams, S.M., Sturm, B. S.M. (2017). Determination of the life cycle climate change impacts of land use and albedo change in algal biofuel production. Algal Research 28, 270-281.
- Wentworth, T., Loya, S., Depcik, C., & Stagg-Williams, S. (2016). Experimental, detailed, and global kinetic reaction model for NO oxidation over platinum/alumina catalysts. Reaction Kinetics, Mechanisms and Catalysis, 117(1), 15–34.
- Depcik, C., Jachuck, J., Jantz, D., Kiani, F., Mangus, M., Mattson, J., Peltier, E., & Stagg-Williams, S. M. (2015). Influence of Fuel Injection System and Engine-Timing Adjustments on Regulated Emissions from Four Biodiesel Fuels. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, (2503), 20–28. doi:10.3141/2503-03
- Mangus, M., Kiani, F., Mattson, J., Tabakh, D., Petka, J., Depcik, C., Peltier, E., & Stagg-Williams, S. (2015). Investigating the compression ignition combustion of multiple biodiesel/ULSD (ultra-low sulfur diesel) blends via common-rail injection. Energy, 89, 932–945. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2015.06.040
- Sturm, B., Cook, E., Roberts, G., Hable, R., & Stagg-Williams, S. (2015). Hydroxyapatite Crystallization and Biocrude Oil Production from Wastewater-Cultivated Algae. In Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation. (2), 1-11.
- Roberts, G. W., Sturm, B. S.M., Hamdeh, U., Stanton, G. E., Rocha, A., Kinsella, T. L., Fortier, M.-O. P., Sazdar, S., Detamore, M. S., & Stagg-Williams, S. M. (2015). Promoting catalysis and high-value product streams by in situ hydroxyapatite crystallization during hydrothermal liquefaction of microalgae cultivated with reclaimed nutrients. Green Chemistry, 17(4), 2560-2569.
Awards & Honors —
- Raymond Oenbring Award for Excellence in Teaching (student selected, 1 awarded annually in University of Kansas Chemical and Petroleum Engineering (2022, 2021, 2012, 2008, 2003, 2001, 2000)
- Best of Lawrence Top Five, Teacher University of Kansas, Lawrence Journal-World (2023, 2022)
- Del Shankel Teaching Excellence Award established by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to honor outstanding KU faculty members (2019).
- University of Kansas School of Engineering Gould Award for Distinguished Service in Undergraduate Advising (2018)
- Agent of Change Award, Presented to the Kansas Biodiesel Consortium by the Metropolitan Energy Center and Kansas City Regional and Central Kansas Clean Cities Coalition. (2018)
- Outstanding Educator Award, Mortar Board National Honor Society (student-selected, 1 of 5 awarded annually at the University of Kansas) (2017, 2010)
- John E. and Winifred E. Sharp Teaching Professorship, University of Kansas School of Engineering. (2014 - 2017)
- WiSTEMM Educator Award, Central Exchange WiSTEMM (Women in STEMM) Stemmy Awards (2014)
- Steeples Service to Kansans Award (1 selected annually at the University of Kansas) (2012)