Richard Martin '09

An interest in renewable energy led chemical engineering major Richard Martin ’09 and Polly Piergiovanni, associate professor and head of chemical engineering, to test a variety of substances for their ability to produce ethanol. Martin used enzymes to produce glucose from starches in food waste, added yeast to convert the glucose into ethanol, and measured the resulting ethanol yield with gas chromatography.

“EXCEL gives students an opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty members, which helps them figure out what they want to do after Lafayette,” says Piergiovanni.

“EXCEL is a great way for students to get lab experience and investigate issues that impact the real world,” adds Martin. “Lafayette’s great reputation for engineering and small class sizes were the key factors for me deciding to attend school here. Lafayette has excellent resources and lab equipment.”

Martin is vice president of the men’s club volleyball team and a member of Kappa Delta Rho fraternity and American Institute of Chemical Engineers.