Fermentation Workshops

What is the Fermentation Workshop?

The Fermentation workshops are specialized workshops geared toward industry professionals wanting to learn more about fermentation processes. Throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, we host two Fermentation workshops: one in-person and one virtual.

The in-person workshop is a four-day course, consisting of two main parts: lecture and lab experiments. Over the four days of the workshop, our instructors will provide lectures on fermentation topics such as bioprocessing (genetics, bioenergetics, bioreactors), recombinant technologies, kinetics (batch, fed-batch), microbial nutrition, BioPAT trace technology, and more!

Integrated into these lectures are experiments and hands-on lab work that focus on things like bioreactor preparation and data logging, bioreactor inoculation and sampling, aeration lab, and agitation; all conducted in our CSL Behring Fermentation Facility.

The virtual workshop, also four days in duration, follows the same lecture components as the in-person workshop: bioprocessing, recombinant technologies, kinetics, microbial nutrition, BioPAT trace technology, etc. However, there are no hands-on simulations; participants are allowed the opportunity of active learning through case-study experiments guided by our instructors.

Our workshops welcome individuals of all expertise levels, as we aim to provide training in fermentation and biotechnology processes that will ultimately expand your knowledge and exposure to these procedures.

In-Person Workshop

“Ten Critical Concepts in Fermentation” Workshop

This Fermentation workshop focuses on and explores critical concepts in fermentation, such as:

• Fermentation Processes
• Aeration and Agitation Evaluation
• Scale-Up Strategies
• Data Analysis
• Hands-On Simulations

It is a four-day workshop, held on Penn State’s campus at our CSL Behring Fermentation Facility.

Virtual Workshop

“Four Critical Concepts in Fermentation” Workshop

The virtual Fermentation workshop focuses on and explores critical concepts in fermentation, such as:

• Fermentation processes
• Aeration and agitation evaluation
• Scale-up strategies
• Data analysis
• Case study experiments

It is a four-day workshop, held over four Thursdays. The workshop is 100% virtual, so all sessions are held via Zoom.

Fall 2026 Fermentation Workshop Schedule

Our Workshop Instructors

Ali Demirci, PhD

Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

Professor-in-Charge, CSL Behring Fermentation Facility

Mekala Venkatachalam, PhD

Director, CSL Behring Fermentation Facility

For questions, please contact:

COEIB Admin: coeib@psu.edu

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