She has discovered that the nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer can be used to determine the best harvest time and to measure how much and what kind of polymer the bacteria create. In this field, she's a rarity both as a woman and as a liberal arts college professor. She has been invited to deliver lectures at major international conferences and published a recent article in Polymers . And although these polymers are more expensive than traditional plastics, it's not price that keeps them from the American market. She is also pursuing other uses for polymers.
Some bacteria can even convert oil spills and toxic waste into harmless, biodegradable polymers.
Imagine the possibilities if this technology were used to its fullest extent.