NSF East Asia and Pacific Summer Institute for FY 2012 in China

Edwards Meredith C, Athens GA

Investigators

Abstract

This action funds Meredith Claire Edwards of the University of Georgia to conduct a research project, entitled "Understanding biofuel production by heat-loving bacteria from pectin-rich food wastes," during the summer of 2012 at Nanjing Normal University in Nanjing in Jangsu province of China. The host scientist is Dr. Weilan Shao. The Intellectual Merit of the research project is to investigate the possibility of using thermophilic bacteria that can produce fuel ethanol from biomass to produce ethanol from pectin-rich food wastes, e.g., sugar beet pulp from sugar production and citrus waste from citrus juice production. The longterm goal is to increase the options for production of ethanol biofuels while disposing of large volumes of waste. Broader Impacts of an EAPSI fellowship include providing the Fellow a first-hand research experience outside the U.S.; an introduction to the science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure of the respective location; and an orientation to the society, culture and language. These activities meet the NSF goal to educate for international collaborations early in the career of its scientists, engineers, and educators, thus ensuring a globally aware U.S. scientific workforce.