Bergen Grads’ Clean Energy Research Published

PARAMUS, N.J. – Bergen Community College biology Professor Luis Jimenez, Ph.D., and three biology graduates have seen their research on clean energy published in the summer issue of the journal, BIOS, a quarterly journal of biology.

The students, Adeladja Turku, Lisa Pincus, and Stephania Vazquez, have now transferred to four-year institutions or entered the workforce. The published research focuses on cellulose degrading microbes to determine potential sources of new enzymes and technologies to develop cleaner energy sources around the world.

Jimenez believes that through a “better understanding of the community structure and genetic potential of cellulose degrading microbes will provide a potential source of new enzymes and technologies to develop cleaner energy sources around the world. With the outstanding resources and facilities at Bergen, we were able to provide an amazing opportunity for community college students to optimize their learning experience during the first two years of college.”

As for the students:

· Turku, of Elmwood Park, completed her associate of science degree in biology at Bergen and a bachelor of science degree at Hunter College. She is currently working towards her master’s degree at Hunter College.

· Pincus, of Hasbrouck Heights, completed her associate of science degree in biology and a certificate in surgical technology at Bergen. She currently works as a surgical technologist in a private hospital.

· Vazquez, of Fort Lee, completed her associate of science degree in biology at Bergen and is currently working towards her bachelors in science in biology at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.

Grants from the Department of Education for Hispanic Serving Institutions and National Science Foundation supported the research.

Founded in 1930, BIOS, the quarterly journal of Beta Beta Beta Biological Society, publishes topics of general interest to biologists and emphasizes publication of undergraduate papers. For more information, visit bioone.org/journals/bios/current.

Based in Paramus, Bergen Community College (www.bergen.edu), a public two-year coeducational college, enrolls more than 13,000 students at locations in Paramus, the Philip Ciarco Jr. Learning Center in Hackensack and Bergen Community College at the Meadowlands in Lyndhurst. The College offers associate degree, certificate and continuing education programs in a variety of fields. More students graduate from Bergen than any other community college in the state.