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Six student scientists were presented with this year’s Young Algae Researcher Awards for their contributions to fields of algae biology and engineering at the 2018 Algae Biomass Summit, held in The Woodlands, Texas Oct 14-17.
The awards are presented at the annual conference to recognize outstanding research projects by early-career scientists that are discovering the potential for algae to address a number of challenges in energy, human health, climate change, agriculture and more.
A panel of judges evaluated more than 100 posters based on six key criteria: presentation, methodology, data analysis, poster integrity and the presentation of the poster by the presenter him or herself.
The Young Algae Research Awards are presented to winners for research conducted in two subject areas: biology and engineering.
For outstanding research in algae biology, awards went to:
First Place: Sarah Loftus, Duke University
Effect of Cultivation Water Reuse on the Accumulation of Dissolved Compounds and Algae Growth
Second Place: Jackie Mettler, Los Alamos National Laboratory
Targeted Knockout and Knock-in of Photoreceptor Genes to Improve Biomass Accumulation in Microalgae
Third Place: Nikita Bharati, Basha High School
A Novel Approach to Optimizing Algae Biofuel Production by Using Naturally Occurring Extracellular Polymeric Substances (EPS) Through Bioflocculation
For outstanding research in algae engineering, the awards went to:
First Place: Yang Han, Desert Research Institute
Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Marine and Freshwater Algae Biomass Using Co-solvents
Second Place: Yanxia Lin, Stevens Institute of Technology
Optimization of an Attached-growth System for Harvesting of Microalgae
Third Place: Stan Pankratz, University of Alberta
The Economics of Producing Algae Biomass in Canada for Biofuels Via Open Pond Raceways and Photo-bioreactors
Congratulations to each of these scientists! Their innovations are building the foundation for the technologies, products and companies of tomorrow.
