Dr. Acharya’s research pieces together engineering solutions to problems that puzzle farmers, fishers, food processors and academics. Whether he studies agricultural waste, invasive marine species or other bioresources, Acharya uses engineering principles to find creative ways to process solid or liquid bioresources into bioproducts for materials and energy application. Dr. Acharya has developed innovative processes to transform invasive tunicates to cellulose nanocrystals. Using his processes, he turns cellulose into lightweight fillers to strengthen existing biocomposites. He aims to provide food processors and fishers with new revenue from undesirable tunicates that affect mussel operations.