LA CROSSE—WiSys awarded UW-La Crosse student Rylie Gramann a $4,500 Ambassador Grant to research ways of recycling carbon dioxide obtained from fossil fuels in industrial processes.

The project “Synthesis and Application of Nitrogen-Rich Organic Polymers as Catalyst Supports for the Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Valuable Products” will be carried out under the direction of faculty mentor Dr. Sujat Sen, an assistant professor of chemistry and biology at UW-La Crosse.

The research, which could be used at commercial operations such as power or chemical plants, aims to reduce harmful emissions by converting them into useful chemicals such as plastics, polymers, and resins.

Ambassador Grants are designed to help WiSys Ambassadors advance their knowledge and skills as young researchers through summer research programs. 

The grants may be used for implementation and completion of short-term projects or to advance long-term projects the ambassador undertook with the guidance of a faculty mentor.

Gramann was selected to serve as a WiSys Ambassador, enhancing the connection between WiSys and the UW-La Crosse research community, during the 2019-2020 school year.

To learn more about the WiSys Ambassador Program and WiSys Ambassador Grants, visit wisys.org/about-us/ambassador-program. 

WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students, and alumni of the UW System to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state.