By readMediaSTORM LAKE, IA -- Kimberly Perez, a junior mathematics and biochemistry double major at Buena Vista University (BVU) from Brownsville, Texas, will make a presentation on her research project at the International Conference of Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts in San Diego, Calif., in June.
The abstract of Kimberly's project - entitled "Use of Cladophora spp. to Purify Freshwater Systems and Produce Biodiesel on a Laboratory Scale" - was also presented at the recent Iowa Academy of Science annual meeting and will be presented at BVU's Scholars Day on April 30.
As a J. Leslie Rollins Fellow, Kimberly spent the summer of 2010 doing missionary work in Guatemala. This experience inspired Kimberly's project. She was working in a clinic and saw much illness as a result of a lack of clean drinking water.
"I watched people walk long distances to get water, and then that water had to be boiled before anyone could drink it. I watched people drink Coke all day because water was unavailable. In order to obtain clean water, it had to be bought from stores," says Kimberly. "It pained me that they had water sources but they were polluted and therefore unsafe to drink. Having studied particularly in the science field, I know how vital water is to life and that's where I began my thought process to develop my research. I thought the reason underdeveloped countries didn't clean their polluted water was because of the cost."
Kimberly theorized that if underdeveloped countries could make money out of cleaning their water, they would be more prone to cleaning it. In addition, the citizens of that country would have ready access to clean, drinkable water. Kimberly decided to see if it was possible to clean polluted water with algae and then use the same algae to produce biodiesel.
Dr. Melinda Coogan, assistant professor of biology, has been a mentor for Kimberly throughout the course of the project, providing insights and asking questions.
"In her major, Kimberly has numerous career options, and she is taking advantage of her opportunities with BVU as she continues to investigate these options," says Coogan. "Kimberly has an intuitive understanding of how providing basic human needs in a sustainable manner not only helps maintain healthy ecosystems, but it also contributes to a higher level of human health. Having her project accepted for presentation with the international conference in San Diego this June will allow her the opportunity to further apply critical thinking and creative problem solving skills as she discusses her project with scientists from around the globe."
Through BVU's Honors Program, Kimberly was able to secure funding for the crucial tests in her research.
"BVU, through its rigorous courses that I have completed and multiple opportunities to present any type of research, has helped me prepare for this opportunity," says Kimberly. "I have gained confidence in speaking and making presentations to an audience. I am more than prepared to present my research in California."(04/25/2012)(readMedia)
2 comments:
Kimberly is a great representative of our community and she and her family should be very proud of her accomplishments, past and in the future. The sad thing is that her intelligence and skills are likely to go somewhere, other than the RGV when she graduates. We have a brain drain because we can't attract high tech jobs to the RGV. Anyway, Congratulations to Kimberly.
i once heard of a 3rd world town in south america in which a multi-national corporation installed a water plant and water system that delivered water to local homes for a profit. all was good until the political tide turned against the company. all of the sudden, people who were led by local activists, turned against the company asking their fellow citizens to stand up and ask how a foreign corporation could make them pay for a basic need, such as water. the fact that they were receiving clean water at their house for pennies a gallon was lost to politics.
well, the corporation was run out of town. the people claimed victory by taking over the water plant. well, shortly thereafter, the plant's quality control failed and eventually the plant stopped functioning. at that point, another corporation stepped back in, coca cola and started selling bottled water. of course, the price was no longer pennies per gallon, and it was no longer delivered to their homes. instead, they were paying by the pint for plastic bottles that would once again litter the countryside. since few could afford this luxury, the old ways of walking long distances to the river to collect buckets of unsanitary water returned to the village.
all this because of some misguided community activists.
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