Three university students have been selected through a competitive process to help lead the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel program. First launched in 2010, the National Biodiesel Board program aims to educate young scientists with factual information about biodiesel. It has led to increased communication and collaboration between the biodiesel industry and colleges and universities involved in biodiesel research.

“By engaging with student scientists, our industry has not only learned about their upcoming research, but has opened new lines of communication with their professors and university researchers as well,” said Don Scott, NBB’s director of sustainability. “The new co-chairs are passionate, energetic and innovative, and will do a great job taking this program to the next level.”

The new co-chairs are:

-James Anderson, Agricultural Sciences, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

-Katharine Ann Heil, Electrical Engineering, University of Colorado at Boulder.

-Michael Morgan, Biochemistry, Utah State University.

The new co-chairs replace three other students who have graduated from their studies. Dan Browne, a research assistant in the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M University, remains on the team as a co-chair.

All of the co-chairs are already engaged in biodiesel-related research or education. Heil serves as director of the University of Colorado at Boulder’s CU Biodiesel club. The club is one of the larger and more established campus biodiesel organizations, and has a biodiesel-producing trailer named Ester, which hosts campus workshops and has a research component. 

“I believe that being a co-chair will give me the opportunity to continue to spread my knowledge and experience with other young scientists,” Heil said. “Biodiesel is an emerging fuel and in order for it to continue to grow, we must continue to inform others of its importance in society today.”