Botany News

Botany in the news:
Algae -- the new biofuel?  World interest in using algae as a biofuel is expanding.  Photosynthesis in algae produces oils and ethanol that can be converted into advanced biofuels.  Since 2007, more than $1 billion has been injected into algae-to-energy research and development.  The journal Nature has four weekly articles about the companies and their efforts on this new biofuel (see Nature Sept. 24, 2009).

Botany faculty in the news:
Peter Siver's recent work on diatoms and chrysophytes, including his discovery of fossils 48 million years old from a Canadian diamond mine, is featured in the National Science Foundation's Discoveries website "Crimes to Climate History: Tiny Diatoms Offer Big Clues" (January 7, 2009).  How does he do this research?  Learn more about his research program featured on the National Science Foundation and Live Science site "ScienceLives: Making a Living Studying Nature" (February 25, 2009).

Alumni in the news:
Carl Lewis ('95) is the new Director of the the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden (Miami Herald December 8, 2008).  Carl, a geneticist, recently established the new genus Leucothrinax for the thatch palm (read more).  Read about his new excursion to study and conserve the palms of Micronesia! http://exploreplants.org/

Chris Sardella ('93) recently won the Milken Family Foundation's National Educator Award.  Sardella, a fifth grade teacher in Northborough, Massachusetts, plans on using the $25,000 award to pursue a doctorate in education while continuing to teach.

Department News:
The Botany Department has successfully concluded its search for a new plant physiologist. More information will be posted in the coming months.

The College hosted the Seventh International Chrysophyte Symposium the week of June 23, 2008.

The China Trade Bonsai Society of Southeastern Connecticut uses the New London Hall facilities of the botany department to hold their regular meetings.

Last Modified: Friday, September 25, 2009 13:02