Accomplishments - August, 2026
Lahiru Jayakody, associate professor of microbiology, and his team of student researchers are presenting their recent development of the µBite project today (Aug. 24) at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) as part of the “Undergraduate and Graduate Research in Biochemistry and Chemical Biology” symposium in Chicago. The project involved programming yeast to turn plastic and agricultural waste into edible proteins and other food ingredients. The proteins can be 3D-printed into cookies or other foods. ACS promotion of this presentation on its platforms has garnered media attention from prestigious industry news outlets. Presenting with Jayakody are graduate students Sandhya Jayasekara and Bhagya Jayasekara; undergraduate student Elwood Sheflin; and Carbondale High School student Isabelle Hou.
Jim Garvey, director of the Center for Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences and professor of zoology, published “Uncovering What Makes Crappies and Anglers Thrive in Crab Orchard Lake of Southern Illinois” in Outdoor Illinois Journal. The article highlights the partnership between Southern Illinois University Carbondale and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Together, SIU and IDNR are researching the behavior of the lake’s crappies to keep their population robust and surveying the anglers who fish for them to learn more about their needs from the fishery.
Justin Schoof, a professor in geography and environmental resources, will present “Climate Change – The Role of Humans,” at the Southern Illinois Learning in Retirement meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at the Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1501 W. Chautauqua, Carbondale. The free discussion is open to the public and will look at the role humans play in the process of climate change. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. with presentation at 10:30 a.m.
