Ph.D. Candidate Andrew St. James awarded Engaged Cornell Grant

Associate Professor Ruth Richardson is working with St. James on this research project.

Ph.D. Candidate Andrew St. James, microbiology, was awarded an Engaged Cornell Graduate Student Grant. Associate Professor Ruth Richardson is working with St. James on this research project, which focuses on the development of biofuels.

“Anaerobic digestion is a promising technology for generating large amounts biogas from food waste, which can be an economically valuable energy source at places like wastewater treatment facilities and dairy farms. But maintaining a stable microbial community in the digesters can be a challenge when adding new waste streams,” says St. James. “With funds from Engaged Cornell, Ruth and I will be working with the Ithaca Area Wastewater Treatment Facility (IAWWTF) and local dairy farmers through Pro-Dairy to design microbial cultures capable of easing the transition to increased energy production when new food waste streams are added to anaerobic digesters.”

Engaged Cornell is an initiative founded in 2014 that partners faculty, staff, and students with community members to address global issues. These collaborative relationships create opportunities to research, teach, and learn at home and around the world. 

Other Articles of Interest