Overview
Personal Profile
Ryan Davis is a group manager and process research engineer on NLR’s Economic, Sustainability, and Market Analysis team. His main focus is on techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment for biomass conversion technology pathways, primarily to hydrocarbon biofuel products. Currently Ryan coordinates techno-economic analysis modeling and analysis efforts for biochemical conversion strategies via lignocellulosic sugars as well as algal biomass projects, including efforts on fermentative and catalytic conversion pathways for cellulosic sugars to hydrocarbon intermediates as well as engineering and cost-analysis activities for the production and conversion of algal biomass to fuels and coproducts. Ryan started working at NLR in 2009; prior to that he worked as a process engineer in the energy and refining industry. Ryan holds a license as a professional engineer and serves as an associate editor for the journal Biotechnology for Biofuels.
Research Interests
Process modeling and equipment design
Techno-economic analysis (TEA)
Life cycle assessment
Biochemical conversion process pathways
Algal biomass production and conversion pathways
Hydroprocessing technologies
Professional Experience
Research Engineer IV, Biorefinery Analysis Section, NLR (2009–present)
Process Engineer, Global Energy Group, CH2M Hill (2008–2009)
Process Engineer, Technology Marketing Designs Group, Chevron (2007–2008)
Education/Academic Qualification
Bachelor, Chemical/Environmental Engineering (dual degree), University of Colorado
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Collaborations and Top Research Areas From the Past 5 Years
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Life-Cycle Analysis of Microalgae-Based Polyurethane Foams
Gracida-Alvarez, U., Wiatrowski, M., Benavides, P., Zhang, J., Davis, R. & Hawkins, T., 2026, In: RSC Sustainability. 4, 1, p. 477-492 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Optimized Illuminance Operation-A Light-Driven Dilution Strategy to Improve Microalgae Biomass Productivity: Article No. 104421
Gao, S., Beirne, N., Klein, B., Edmundson, S., Yadav, G., Davis, R. & Huesemann, M., 2026, In: Algal Research. 93, 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Carbon-Negative Hydrogen from Ethanol via Catalytic Oxidative Reforming
Tan, E., Davis, R., Harrison, J. & Fogarty, T., 2025, In: Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. 19, 6, p. 1442-1450 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Combined Algae Processing (CAP): Progress, Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions
Wiatrowski, M., Klein, B., Laurens, L. & Davis, R., 2025, 19 p.Research output: NLR › Technical Report
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Evaluation of Microalgae Cultivation at Air-CO2 Equilibrium pH for Improving Carbon Utilization Efficiency: Article No. 104392
Gao, S., Kalamaris, N., Klein, B., Edmundson, S., Yadav, G., Davis, R. & Huesemann, M., 2025, In: Algal Research. 92, 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review