Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi, my name is Nikki Pirtel from Connecticut and I've been having a lot of trouble finding a mentor to help me with my science project, since it is required that I have one to get the college credit for my class. I was wondering if anyone knows someone in the environmental field that deals specifically with bioremediation preferably in the New England region that might be able to help me. I've been searching for a while and haven't been able to find anyone yet. I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask, but any references you can give me would help a lot. My email is ... if you have any questions or can give this to anyone that might be interested in helping me. Thank you!

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I know Arizona State University has started a school of sustainability and that is right up their alley. As far as local resources, I am afraid I can not think of any off of the top of my head. Your best bet would be to reach out to the office of the dean for the college of life sciences or similar programs offered at Universities in your area.

Okay thank you for your help! (:

Hello Nikki,

There is a professor at Adelphi University (on Long Island) who does research on bioremediation. If you look up the Biology Department website, you will be able to find her. If she is unable to provide mentorship for your project, she may be able to refer you to someone else who can.

I hope that helps!

Heather

Hello Nikki,

The experts have given you some great advice already. Your best bet would probably be reaching out to the life sciences departments at various local universities to see if there are any labs working on bioremediation. Microbiology or environmental microbiology departments would be a great place to look into. Environmental engineering departments would probably have some people doing research on bioremediation-related projects as well. You can also just google "[Name of university] bioremediation", and any labs that happen to work on that should pop up in a google search. For example, I found a lab that does a bit of bioremediation with Rhodococcus at MIT (https://biology.mit.edu/people/anthony_sinskey#overview), and another at Yale (http://seas.yale.edu/faculty-research/f ... pignatello).

Best of luck! Let us know if you need anymore help!

Connie