STUDENT RESEARCH SHOWCASE 2020 PRESENTATIONS

Environmental Sciences

Investigating the Effects of G. parvispora on Mitigating Populations of K. brevis During Red Tide Blooms
Brooke Gilbert, Pine Crest School

The objective of this research experiment is to mitigate populations of K. brevis through the introduction of G. parvispora into a Red Tide simulated environment. The project investigates is this seaweed, G. parvispora, can outcompete K. brevis for nutrients, and thus hinder is growth and associated Red Tide effects.

P.E.N.G.U.I.N.S - Promoting Emulsions Nullification Greenly Using Innovative Nucleation Surfaces
Zoe Gotthold, Richland High School

I developed prototypes that can be used to separate oil/water emulsions in order to help cleanup oil spills and protect penguins.

Optimizing Plant Cellulose for Cost-Effective and Environmentally Benign Oil Spill Mitigation
Sanjana Gurram, Westview High School

This research explores a facile method of chemically and physically modifying cotton cellulose to engineer a light sorbent for oil spill clean-up.

SAMMI: Smart Autonomous Mercury Monitoring Instrument
Rohan Jakhete, South Fork High School

I designed and built the first step in a new, low-cost water monitoring infrastructure, SAMMI, a 3-D printed ionic mercury monitoring buoy.

The Effect of Nanoplastics on the Embryonic Development of Danio rerio
Matthew Kidd, American Heritage School Boca Delray

The purpose of this project is to investigate the effect of polyethylene nanoplastics on the embryonic development of Danio rerio (zebrafish).

Modeling Phosphogypsum as a Calcium Source in Algae Based Biofuel Production and Bioremediation of Heavy Metals
Angelina Kinney, American Heritage School Plantation

Phosphogypsum, a hazardous waste product of phosphoric acid production, is composed primarily of calcium sulfate, but contains heavy metal contaminants that limit its industrial use. This project models using phosphogypsum as a calcium source in algae culture to produce biofuel and remove the heavy metals within it. It also assesses the effectiveness of zinc starvation as a mechanism to increase heavy metal binding in algae cells.

The Impact of Cadmium on the Shh Protein in Chicken Embryos
Asher Lee, American Heritage School Plantation

The researcher tested the effects of cadmium salts on the Sonic Hedgehog Protein (Shh) in chicken embryos. The substance proved to diminish the amount of Shh protein present by over 30x's.

The Salt Water Solubility of Biodegradable Polymers
Tara Muthuswamy, American Heritage School Boca Delray

Testing which of the biodegradable polymers, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, or polylactic glycolic acid, degrades the fastest in salt water to be then used as a substitute for the non-degradable polymers that are used in our everyday life.

Assessment of Coconut Graphene Oxide-Mn Catalyst on Microplastic Degradation
Sreelakshmi Raghav, Little Rock Central High School

Microplastics (MP) are extremely small pieces of plastic debris smaller than 5 millimeters in size that are left behind from plastic pollution, which poses a threat to human health and marine life. In this study, a natural coconut graphene oxide/manganese catalyst was made and tested to see if it enhanced the degradation of MPs through PMS activation.

The Utilization of a Modified Wastewater-Based Medium as a Feedstock for Engineered Saccharomyces Cerevisiae for the Novel Biological Production of Fatty-Acid Derived Alcohols and Carboxylic Acids
Rajat Ramesh, American Heritage School Plantation

The purpose of this study was to metabolically engineer Saccharomyces cerevisiae for enhanced fatty alcohol and free carboxylic acid production while utilizing wastewater as a cost-effective nutrient culture source. Fatty alcohols can be used as effective replacements for petrochemicals for the production of a host of items, including pharmaceutical formulations, food additives, plastics, polymers, detergents, lubricants, and shampoos. A wastewater-based medium provided organic material for the yeast to utilize to grow that would be more cost-effective than standard media on a large scale. In addition, it would also allow for the degradation of harmful organic content in the wastewater, aiding in the wastewater treatment process.

Optimizing Lignocellulosic Hydrogen Production in Engineered Rhodobacter sphaeroides and Pseudomonas Putida Through a Novel “Hybrid” Fermentation System with the co-generation of Nylon precursors
Bhaveshsai Reddy, American Heritage School Plantation

This study hopes to take steps toward bridging the gap between the idea of clean burning fuel and the scale-up to the industrial level. The prospect of hydrogen production is one of the most promising ideas for renewable fuel because hydrogen is three times more energy-dense than traditional fuels, accompanied by the fact that it only leaves behind water when it is burned. The goal of this study was to metabolically engineer Rhodobacter Sphaeroides to rewire the chemistry behind hydrogen production using lignocellulosic material (plant waste) as a substrate to maximize hydrogen production capabilities. To further bridge daunting task of scaling up from the lab to the industrial scale, the production of value-added products through a “hybrid” fermentation system was also explored by coupling hydrogen production with muconic acid production. Conversion of muconic acid to nylon alone accounts for a staggering amount of all nitrous oxide emissions, and thus including the production of muconic in the same process provides an unprecedented ability to boost the prospect of scale-up as this would strongly compete with industrial standards, not only obviously in terms of environmental benefit, but in terms of efficacy. In this system, the hydrogen production (fuel) can be paired with muconic acid production (nylon) in a way that takes the waste product from one process and re-utilizes it for the other process. This not only vastly saves resources, but incredibly boosts the efficiency of each process (174% increase in hydrogen production). This novel application of a "hybrid" system can take a major leap towards a future where we can see lab-scale projects being transformed into our daily lives. By not only competing in terms of environmental benefits, but also in terms of efficiency, biological based processes take a major leap towards replacing standard industrial protocol that cannot and will not be sustainable in the future.

The Effect of Nanosilver on Human Gastrointestinal Microbiota (Clostridium sporogenes) and Daphnia magna as a Bioassay for Freshwater Ecosystems
Nikita Senthil, Saint Francis High School

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of nanosilver on human gastrointestinal microbiota, specifically Clostridium sporogenes, and on Daphnia magna as a bioassay for freshwater ecosystems. The practical application is that if higher concentrations of nanosilver are able to kill more bacteria rapidly, nanosilver supplements or exposure to nanosilver through other means may have detrimental effects on beneficial gut microorganisms as well as a person’s overall health. Nanosilver may additionally have genotoxic effects on mammalian cells; prolonged exposure may also result in severe damage to vital organs and the nervous system. In addition, if higher concentrations result in higher mortality rates for the indicator organism Daphnia magna, the continued commercial use of nanosilver may threaten freshwater ecosystems.

The Effect of Open Car Windows on the Air Quality Inside of a Car
Tanishk Vijaywargiya, American Heritage School Boca Delray

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) build up in a car because the heat from the sun spurs gases from the material inside of the car. Inhaling this gas can cause various lung diseases and cancer. The purpose is to find an effective way to remove these gases built up in the car.

Characteristics of the Indonesian deep-slope snapper-grouper fishery and its management implications

Elle Wibisono, University of Rhode Island

How to manage the Indonesian snapper-grouper fishery?

STUDENT RESEARCH SHOWCASE 2020 PRESENTATIONS

Environmental Sciences

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