Research Experiences

During the 2021-2022 academic year, the Campus as a Classroom (CAC) program supported two students, Gwen Dallmann and Rahul Sharma, as they led efforts to develop compost sampling procedures and DNA extraction protocols for the sequencing of DNA from microbial communities using Nanopore sequencing technologies. Gwen and Rahul did a thorough literature review and worked with Carlos Goller in the Biotechnology Program (BIT) to develop ways to capture the microbial community information using the hand-held Nanopore sequencer. With support from BIT and the College of Sciences IT Technology Tryout Program, we have the equipment to increase the throughput of sample processing and democratize analysis of samples using Google Colabs “notebooks” – interactive documents with R and Python capabilities. Gwen and Rahul’s work can now be expanded to include valuable samples from Mahmoud Sharara (Biological Agricultural Engineering), Joseph Stuckey, Christopher Hopkins, and Adam Bensley and Matt Ball (Composting Facility & Research Cooperative). Dr. Sharara is leading a project focusing on value-added uses of swine manure with composting among the value-adding technologies. He oversaw the development of experimental composting vessels to assess the impacts of process parameters (C/N ratio, aeration rate, etc) on the process performance, GHG emissions, and end-product quality.

We proposed supporting six students to work with Sharara/Stuckey, Hopkins, Bensley/Ball to leverage the expertise and resources of these units and people to study the chemical, physical, and molecular dynamics throughout the composting process and how the microbial communities impact the process emissions and end-product. These students are part of the CAC program and have a valuable opportunity to interact with a diverse group of interdisciplinary researchers!