Newswise — SYRACUSE, N.Y. – March 28, 2025 – The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s (ESF) Dr. Jennifer Goff has been awarded a $200,000 grant from the National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences to support research into the environmental impact of tellurium, a metalloid increasingly used in manufacturing.

The project, led by Goff, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, will investigate how microorganisms in freshwater environments chemically transform tellurium.

“Understanding these microbial processes is crucial for addressing the ecosystem health impacts of tellurium and developing strategies to recover this valuable element,” said Goff.

A metalloid is a type of element that has properties in between metals and non-metals which can conduct electricity better than non-metals but not as well as metals.

The rising global demand for tellurium, driven by its use in renewable energy, semiconductors, national security, and materials manufacturing, has led to significant environmental contamination. Most extracted tellurium eventually ends up in the environment, raising concerns about the sustainability of existing reserves and the element’s toxicity to living organisms.

The grant will also support the training of a Ph.D. student at ESF and fund a summer undergraduate research experience for a student from Onondaga Community College. This initiative aims to cultivate the next generation of biogeochemistry researchers at ESF.

About SUNY ESF

The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.