A group of college students who will be the next generation of scientists have joined together to support biodiesel.
This press release from the National Biodiesel Board, which is leading the effort with support from the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff, says 28 students scientists from across the country have signed on to the new Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel initiative:
Lucas Ellis of Dartmouth, pursuing his Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering, is one of four co-chairs of the effort. “In college there is an eagerness to become an advocate or have a cause, and mine was the environment, science and educating others about sustainability,” Ellis said. “Biodiesel combined all of those and became my passion.”
Since then, his passion has led him to create biodiesel education projects in three states, including organizing laboratories to teach students about the chemistry of biodiesel. At West Virginia University, he created a biodiesel organization that today hosts biodiesel events to help recruit kids into studying science.
Ellis is just one of many such stories of student engagement. Selected by the National Biodiesel Board, the other co-chairs of Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel are:
– Bernardo del Campo, Iowa State University (Biorenewable Resources and Technologies)
– Mikkel Leslie, Oregon State University (Environmental Engineering)
– Jason Strull, University of Nevada – Reno (Material Sciences and Chemical Engineering)
“We’re bringing the next generation of scientists together with biodiesel, the only advancedbiofuel commercially available in the U.S.,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. “Cementing supportamong future energy thought leaders is important to biodiesel’s future.”
NBB has created a forum where students who support biodiesel can collaborate and share ideas. Any student scientist can sign up at www.biodieselsustainability.org.
This idea is modeled after the NBB’s Scientists for Biodiesel campaign, which has 125 scientist members of its own and is also supported by the United Soybean Board and soybean checkoff.