As the environmental costs of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer grows, Dr. Jean-Michel Ané’s research group is developing sustainable alternatives by engineering partnerships between crops and nitrogen-fixing microbes that colonize the roots. While early efforts focused on modifying bacteria to release more nitrogen, the team found a breakthrough in maize from Southern Mexico that naturally fosters microbial nitrogen fixation through a root secreted mucilage. By exploring these interactions from both the microbial and plant side, the lab hopes to develop methods to enhance this partnership and introduce it to other cropping systems.
Sustainability Experts
Cultivating Resilience: How Chris Kucharik is Transforming Agriculture Amid Climate Change
Chris Kucharik’s lab investigates the dynamic interactions between climate change and land management through fieldwork and ecosystem modeling, focusing on ecosystem services like crop production, water quantity and quality, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and climate regulation. His research highlights the anticipated stress on agricultural systems due to climate change, which reduces crop yields and harms both farmers and consumers. Dr. Kucharik aims to inform policymakers and develop regulations to support farmers in mitigating climate impacts on their own and surrounding land.
From Coffee Cherries to Aronia Berries: How Food Science Professor Brad Bolling is Rethinking Food
Brad Bolling works to increase access to healthy, nutrient-dense foods to minimize costly chronic diseases. He uses a holistic approach, participating in the entire life cycle of his research; he measures the nutrients and bioactive compounds in foods, assesses their nutritional content and health impacts, then collaborates with food producers and consumers to grow support for foods that will be sustainable sources of nutrition for Wisconsin. His work promotes practices that reduce waste, support biodiversity, and prevent diet-related diseases to address systemic inefficiencies in food production and healthcare.
Public trust in scientists is falling fast, so Nan Li looks to art and emotion
This article, by Tayt Armitage, is part of a series highlighting members of the Office of Sustainability’s Experts Database. In a collaboration with instructor Hannah Monroe’s course, LSC 561: Writing Science for the Public, students …
For Luca Mastropasqua, fuel cells combine basic science and practical applications
This article, by Caiti Lahue, is part of a series highlighting members of the Office of Sustainability’s Experts Database. In a collaboration with instructor Hannah Monroe’s course, LSC 561: Writing Science for the Public, students …
Qunying Huang uses AI and machine learning to make predictions — and save lives
This article, by Rodrigo Cuellar, is part of a series highlighting members of the Office of Sustainability’s Experts Database. In a collaboration with instructor Hannah Monroe’s course, LSC 561: Writing Science for the Public, students …
Systems modeling, electrification, and equitable energy access: A look into Morgan Edwards’s Climate Action Lab
This article, by Joie Ling, is part of a series highlighting members of the Office of Sustainability’s Experts Database. In a collaboration with instructor Hannah Monroe’s course, LSC 561: Writing Science for the Public, students …
“How do I contribute to making society better?” For Melissa Bublitz, the answer can be found in food.
This article, by Zach Lewis, is part of a series highlighting members of the Office of Sustainability’s Experts Database. In a collaboration with instructor Hannah Monroe’s course, LSC 561: Writing Science for the Public, students …
Ankur Desai’s research benefits both local farmers and the International Panel on Climate Change
This article, by Zach Thomas, is part of a series highlighting members of the Office of Sustainability’s Experts Database. In a collaboration with instructor Hannah Monroe’s course, LSC 561: Writing Science for the Public, students …
How do we make sense of sense? For Noah Feinstein, the answer is plural.
This article, by Chelsea Severin, is part of a series highlighting members of the Office of Sustainability’s Experts Database. In a collaboration with instructor Hannah Monroe’s course, LSC 561: Writing Science for the Public, students …