CFOS students win Department of Energy competition

Muriel Dittrich, Mike Stekoll and Tamsen Peeples show off their trophy and ceremonial checks at the AlgaePrize competition.
Department of Energy photo
From left, Muriel Dittrich, Mike Stekoll and Tamsen Peeples show off their trophy and ceremonial checks at the AlgaePrize competition.

A team from the UAF College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences won the top prize in the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 2023 AlgaePrize competition.

Graduate students Tamsen Peeples and Muriel Dittrich, along with retired CFOS faculty member Mike Stekoll, were named . AlgaePrize challenges student-led teams to develop innovative solutions for algae production, processing and product development.

Their team,   is exploring ways to reduce expense and plastic waste in commercial seaweed hatcheries by identifying an alternative fertilizer solution and natural fibers for string. They won $10,000 for advancing to the round of five finalists, then claimed $5,000 for being named grand champions.

This year鈥檚 competition included 64 student teams from across the United States. On April 14-16, teams from 11 states and Puerto Rico showcased their projects to a panel of judges at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado.