Isabel Lima Ph.D.has been a research chemist with the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Southern Regional Research Center (SRRC) in New Orleans, Louisiana, since 1997. She received her M.S. and Ph.D. at the Bio and Agricultural Engineering Department of University of California, Davis, in 1992 and 1996. In 2001, her search for value-added alternatives for the disposal of agricultural wastes sparked her interest in biochar research. Her research has led to the development and characterization of a multitude of biochars, particularly using animal manures as feedstock, for environmental remediation with focus on heavy metals. Dr. Lima has two patents on biochar and activated carbon manufacturing from animal manure, published several peer reviewed articles, and presented her research on biochar manufacture, production and characterization. Her main focus has been on utilization of biochars for remediation of heavy metals (from water, air and soil). More recently, she has been involved in developing biochars for field application, utilizing sugarcane bagasse and field residue as feedstock.