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Student Involvement

Students at the University of Minnesota, Morris are actively engaged in several aspects of the renewable and sustainable initiatives taking place in Morris. The drive of a very dedicated and passionate student body enhances UMM's status as a national leader in sustainable campus initiatives.

More information about UMM's Green Campus Initiatives (external link)

UMM Green Campus Fact Sheet, May 2008 (PDF, 205K)

Student Research

Biomass Student Research

Spring 2008

Toby Simacek (Saint Cloud, MN) is a Biochemistry and Chemistry major at the University of Minnesota, Morris. He assisted in the expansion of the organization system and database of biomass-related research which is used in other biomass-related research efforts.

Summer 2008

Brittany Crocker (Albertville, MN) is an Environmental Studies and Political Science major at the University of Minnesota, Morris. She is researching land use in Stevens county, specifically focusing on using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to help assess the potentially available biomass in Stevens county. Additionally, her work with GIS will assist in determining storage requirements and locations on the UMM campus where an adequate biomass supply can be stored.

Toby Simacek (Saint Cloud, MN) is a Biochemistry and Chemistry major at the University of Minnesota, Morris. He is researching alternative crops for energy and gasification, specifically focusing on growing select C4 grasses and the resulting effects on soil nutrients. This research will enable future growers to maintain soil quality while producing quality feedstocks.

Luke Toso (Falcon Heights, MN) is an Environmental Science major at the University of Minnesota, Morris. He is a biomass economics intern researching the economics of the biomass gasification plant and its affects on Stevens County. More specifically, he is researching the possibilities of carbon credits and effects of carbon sequestration on Stevens County. This research will assist farmers in deciding to use marginal land for the production of biomass and the potential benefits and side effects it may have.

Daron Zych (Graceville, MN) is a Physics major at the University of Minnesota, Morris. He is researching existing biomass feedstocks used for gasification, specifically focusing on the potential of using only corn cobs as a feedstock in comparison to all corn stover (stalks, cobs, etc.). This research will assist with the development of best management practices of collecting adequate amounts of feedstock while reducing the potentially negative impacts of removing feedstock materials from agricultural land.