Isaiah Kaufman ’22

Isaiah is a molecular biology/biochemistry major from Goshen, who spent his summer as a Maple Scholar growing, cultivating and studying algae.

“The main objective of my Maple Scholars project for the summer of 2018 was to isolate, amplify and sequence DNA from the currently unknown species being used in the AlgaeTown photobioreactors, in addition to helping with maintenance and further optimization of the growing and harvesting process. My work was mostly in the lab, working on algae culturing, DNA extractions, PCR reactions and gel electrophoresis.

This internship was a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and experience with these techniques, which are commonly used in labs around the world. In addition, I aided in moving the outside algae tank from house power to solar power, making it more sustainable and green than ever before.”