Barbara R Evans

Barbara R. Evans received her graduate degree in chemistry from the University of California San Diego for studies of lamprey transferrin in the laboratory of Prof. Russell Doolittle. During her postdoctoral appointments at Scripps Institute, La Jolla, and University of Texas at Austin, she studied yeast DNA recombinases in the laboratory of Prof. Makkuni Jayaram. She initially came to Oak Ridge National Laboratory to study lignocellulosic biomass and its  degradation by cellulase enzymes.  She is continuing work in this area as a member of a multidisciplinary team that is applying integrated characterization, neutron scattering, and computer simulation to investigate the molecular hierarchical structure of plant cell walls. Her research interests include photosynthetic proteins, biological hydrogen production, and  cellulose from plants, microalgae, and bacteria, including cellulose-based composites.

Synergistic Activities

Adjunct Professor, Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Mentor, Appalachian Regional Commission Summer Math Science-Technology Institute, 2015-2019.

Mentor, Siemens Teachers as Research Scientists (STARS) program, June 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

Mentor, DOE Academies Creating Teacher Scientists (ACTS) Summer Program, 2005 – 2010.

Judge, DOE Science and Engineering Research Challenge (SERCh) Student Poster Competition, 11/10/2008 and 11/8-9/2009.