In 2021, Dr. Just was awarded nearly $4M from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to catalyze the Iowa Wastewater and Waste to Energy Research Program (IWWERP). The award funded the IWWERP Tech Park, located at the City of Iowa City Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF), which features a $1.5M, state-of-the-art, revolving algal biofilm (RAB) research facility. The IWWERP Biomass and Microalgae Composition Lab compliments full-service laboratories for water chemistry, microbiology, algae biomass, and biogas characterizations. Highlighted capabilities and analyses include microwave digestion (Milestone), moisture (SMART6, CEM), solids, microwave-assisted ashing (Phoenix Black, CEM), protein and fat content (Oracle, CEM), anions/cations (IC6000, Thermo), carbohydrates (IC6000, Thermo), amino acids (IC6000, Thermo), short- and long-chain fatty acids (IC6000, Thermo), biochemical methane potentials (AMPTS II, Bioprocess Control), and metals. Instruments include gas, liquid, and ion chromatographs with a variety of detectors, including mass spectrometers, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, near infrared feedstock analyzer, elemental analyzer, solid phase extraction, advanced oxidation, photolysis, x-ray diffraction, and next gen DNA/RNA sequencing.

IWWERP is led by Dr. Craig Just who has nearly 30 years of experience leading fundamental and applied environmental engineering research; expertise in wastewater treatment, analytical chemistry, microbiology, sensors for control of complex systems, anaerobic digestion, and algal biofilms. Dr. Just has over 50 peer-reviewed publications, was PI or co-PI on over $120M in funded research, is an AAAS Leshner Fellow, and has received the Excellence in Teaching Sustainability Award, International Studies Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, David J. Skorton Award for Staff Excellence in Public Service, College of Engineering Staff Research and Faculty Service Awards, and the UI President and Provost Award for Teaching Excellence.