AMHERST, MA, Nov. 11, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Adventus Americas Inc., an international remediation biotechnology firm, joined the University of Massachusetts Amherst to recognize talented, emerging environmental scientists during the 20th Annual International Conference on Soils, Sediments and Water held here recently.
Three $500 awards were given for the best student presentations from among the fourteen participants during the conference, which was presented by the Northeast Regional Environment Public Health Center and The School of Public Health.
The winning students and their presentation themes were:
-- Paula Bernasconi (Northeastern University): "Development of a Genetically Engineered Seaweed that can Detoxify TNT in Marine Waters"
-- Sarah Strycharz (University of South Carolina): "Development of a Genome-Wide Screening Method to Identify Gene Candidates Involved in the Degradation of Halogenated Hydrocarbons Using Ion Chromatography"
-- Alison Watts (University of New Hampshire): "Uptake of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Spartina Alerniflora - Evaluating Risk in Salt Marsh Vegetation"
The other participants, and their school affiliations were:
Rebecca Bevis (Auburn University), Prashanth Buchireddy (Mississippi State), Afrachanna Butler (Jackson State University), Augustine Donkor (University of Florida), Jessica Duffy (New York University School of Medicine), Joy Jenkins (University of Colorado), Abebayo Ogundipe (Stevens Institute of Technology), Neshia Wright (University of South Carolina), Nan Xu (Stevens Institute of Technology), Wenli Yang (University of Connecticut), and Hong Yin (University of Connecticut).
Dr. Paul Kostecki, Vice Provost for Research at UMASS Amherst, offered a metaphorical perspective on this public and private sector partnership saying, "Our determined Boston Red Sox had to wait 86 long years for their chance to shine on a national stage. This exciting conference only had to run for 20 years before a farsighted technology provider like Adventus recognized the value of stepping up to the plate and making this program a reality," he said. "We see the Student Award program as a superb way to bring the state-of-the-art information presented here to the next generation of scientist."
Dr. Fayaz Lakhwala, Director of Engineering for Adventus Americas, led the panel of judges to select the winners. "These fourteen young environmentalists all displayed superb thought-leadership and presentation skills. Selecting the winning themes was extremely difficult, although the industry will surely be hearing more from these students in years ahead," he said. "As Adventus continues to develop the next generation of remediation biotechnologies, it is our privilege to showcase the important role a partnership with the academic community and private sector organizations can play. Adventus Americas is committed to continue sponsoring this exciting event, and again salute all the participants - especially our award winners."
About Adventus Americas
Adventus Americas Inc. (www.adventus.us) is an environmental services company that provides various remediation biotechnologies including those exclusive to our sister companies, Adventus Remediation Technologies Inc. (ART) and EnviroMetal Technologies, Inc. (www.eti.ca). The groups' proprietary technologies include DARAMEND® and TERRAMEND® for treatment of soil and sediment, AQUAMENDTM for wastewater, and EHCTM technologies and mGCW systems for in situ groundwater treatment. ETI is the world leader in applications of permeable reactive barrier (PRB) technology for the remediation of contaminated groundwater, with experience at over 125 sites in United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and Australia. The Adventus family of companies has offices in Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey, and Ontario, Canada.
About University of Massachusetts Amherst
Located on 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship campus of the Commonwealth's University system. UMass-Amherst is a major research university enrolling 24,000 students, from all 50 United States and over 100 countries. Its 10 schools and colleges offer 88 undergraduate majors, 68 master's and 48 doctoral programs. Sponsored research activities total more than $100 million a year.
###
