Dr. Safferman conducts research on treatment trains to minimize and treat wastes including those originating from animal agriculture and food processing, the conversion of high energy waste to biogas that serves as a renewable energy source, and novel reactor designs such as anaerobic membrane systems and fluidized bed reactors. He lead the development of modeling and evaluating techniques for anaerobic digestion systems including empirically screening feedstock to estimate energy potential, conducting biogas potential assays, conducting bench-scale treatability testing, evaluating novel farm-scale technologies, and developing decision support guidance. Teaching activities include the coordination and team teaching of three required Department classes and an interdisciplinary sustainability class in the Honors College.