Essential Element
Phosphorus is an essential element to life, underpinning many critical biological processes and driving the productivity and sustainability of global food systems.
The Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center is a convergence research community of diverse and leading scientists that addresses the complex challenges in phosphorus sustainability by integrating disciplinary contributions across the physical, life, social, and economic sciences. The STEPS vision is to facilitate a 25% reduction in human dependence on mined phosphates and a 25% reduction in losses of point and non-point sources of phosphorus to soils and water resources within 25 years, leading to enhanced resilience of food systems and reduced environmental damage.
A Roadmap to Phosphorus Sustainability
STEPS REU Program
STEPS will support 15 students for ten weeks during Summer 2025 through a multi-institutional Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.
Multi-institutional Research Experience
Convergence research through a collaborative cohort project.
Projects that align research and career interests.
Congratulations to Ikechukwu (Ike) Onwuka on receiving the Director`s Fellowship! Learn about his research 🔽
❔His research focuses on predicting soil phosphorus concentrations across the U.S. using machine learning and geospatial techniques. This work aims to support sustainable phosphorus management by providing data-driven insights for policymakers and stakeholders.
🌱 Ike is excited to combine cutting-edge data science techniques with real-world agricultural and environmental challenges. It`s incredibly rewarding to see how advanced modeling can drive actionable solutions for nutrient management and help mitigate issues like excess fertilization and water quality degradation.
💡 He aims to contribute valuable insights that support sustainable phosphorus management practices and to develop national data products that are widely useful. He also aim to foster partnerships with collaborators within STEPS institutions and across the country, attracting more institutions to join the impactful work being done in STEPS. His personal goal is to expand his expertise in machine learning, geospatial analytics, and stakeholder engagement to address complex environmental challenges.
🌿 He values the interconnected nature of STEPS and the opportunity to collaborate with experts across diverse themes, find mentors across various disciplines, and directly engage with stakeholders creates a unique environment where science and real-world applications meet seamlessly.
#NSFfunded #NSFstories #phosphorus
Congratulations to Ikechukwu (Ike) Onwuka on receiving the Director`s Fellowship! Learn about his research 🔽
❔His research focuses on predicting soil phosphorus concentrations across the U.S. using machine learning and geospatial techniques. This work aims to support sustainable phosphorus management by providing data-driven insights for policymakers and stakeholders.
🌱 Ike is excited to combine cutting-edge data science techniques with real-world agricultural and environmental challenges. It`s incredibly rewarding to see how advanced modeling can drive actionable solutions for nutrient management and help mitigate issues like excess fertilization and water quality degradation.
💡 He aims to contribute valuable insights that support sustainable phosphorus management practices and to develop national data products that are widely useful. He also aim to foster partnerships with collaborators within STEPS institutions and across the country, attracting more institutions to join the impactful work being done in STEPS. His personal goal is to expand his expertise in machine learning, geospatial analytics, and stakeholder engagement to address complex environmental challenges.
🌿 He values the interconnected nature of STEPS and the opportunity to collaborate with experts across diverse themes, find mentors across various disciplines, and directly engage with stakeholders creates a unique environment where science and real-world applications meet seamlessly.
#NSFfunded #NSFstories #phosphorus
As we wrap up 2024, we are looking back on all we`ve accomplished. It has been a great year!
#2024 #spotifywrapped #phosphorus #2025
As we wrap up 2024, we are looking back on all we`ve accomplished. It has been a great year!
#2024 #spotifywrapped #phosphorus #2025
#tbt to the 5th Annual European Sustainable Phosphorus Conference in October!
Read more about Drs. Scholz and Jones` time through the link in our story!
#NSFfunded #NSFstories #ESP5 #phosphorus
#tbt to the 5th Annual European Sustainable Phosphorus Conference in October!
Read more about Drs. Scholz and Jones` time through the link in our story!
#NSFfunded #NSFstories #ESP5 #phosphorus
Scholar Josephine Geraghty presented her work at the Elevating Qualitative Research (EQUAL) Colloquium at @NCState!
💭 Her work focuses on developing plausible alternative future narratives that detail baseline socioeconomic assumptions across the different futures. These narratives can aid future modeling work!
#NSFfunded #NSFstories #qualitativeresearch #phosphorus
Scholar Josephine Geraghty presented her work at the Elevating Qualitative Research (EQUAL) Colloquium at @NCState!
💭 Her work focuses on developing plausible alternative future narratives that detail baseline socioeconomic assumptions across the different futures. These narratives can aid future modeling work!
#NSFfunded #NSFstories #qualitativeresearch #phosphorus
Scholar Lily Kile (@lilyandplant) also presented at the ASA, CSSA, SSA (@_sases) Annual Meeting! She presented:
🗣️ Oral presentation about why over application of phosphorous fertilizers occur and solutions for improving efficient use of those resources
📃 Poster on breeding crops for improved phosphorus efficiency
🏆 She won 2nd place in the Crop Physiology Division for her poster and in the Soils and Environmental Quality Division for her presentation!
#NSFfunded #NSFstories #ACSmtg
Scholar Lily Kile (@lilyandplant) also presented at the ASA, CSSA, SSA (@_sases) Annual Meeting! She presented:
🗣️ Oral presentation about why over application of phosphorous fertilizers occur and solutions for improving efficient use of those resources
📃 Poster on breeding crops for improved phosphorus efficiency
🏆 She won 2nd place in the Crop Physiology Division for her poster and in the Soils and Environmental Quality Division for her presentation!
#NSFfunded #NSFstories #ACSmtg
Last week, Scholar Md Anik Mahmud presented his research on legacy phosphorus in soils at the 2024 ASA,CSSA, and SSSA international Annual Meeting (@_sases).
🏆In addition to his oral presentation on advanced chemical techniques to investigate legacy P chemistry in acidic, organic, and calcareous soils, he was awarded 1st place in the soil chemistry division!
#NSFFunded #NSFstories #phosphorus #ACSmtg
Last week, Scholar Md Anik Mahmud presented his research on legacy phosphorus in soils at the 2024 ASA,CSSA, and SSSA international Annual Meeting (@_sases).
🏆In addition to his oral presentation on advanced chemical techniques to investigate legacy P chemistry in acidic, organic, and calcareous soils, he was awarded 1st place in the soil chemistry division!
#NSFFunded #NSFstories #phosphorus #ACSmtg
📣 REU Applications are now open! 📣 STEPS Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), will support 15 students through a 10 week, multi-institutional program over the summer. Students will learn about phosphorus sustainability, convergence research, and work on independent research projects supported by STEPS faculty and scholars. Priority Applications are due January 31st!
To learn more and apply, visit our link in bio! 📱
📣 REU Applications are now open! 📣 STEPS Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU), will support 15 students through a 10 week, multi-institutional program over the summer. Students will learn about phosphorus sustainability, convergence research, and work on independent research projects supported by STEPS faculty and scholars. Priority Applications are due January 31st!
To learn more and apply, visit our link in bio! 📱
❓What do you get when you combine STEPS researchers, water resource recovery facilities, and convergence research?
💡Innovative data-driven approaches and co-creation of knowledge to improve process performance and efficiency!
Learn more about how STEPS works with important stakeholders in phosphorus sustainability: https://steps-center.org/2024/11/18/steps-wrrf-twg/
❓What do you get when you combine STEPS researchers, water resource recovery facilities, and convergence research?
💡Innovative data-driven approaches and co-creation of knowledge to improve process performance and efficiency!
Learn more about how STEPS works with important stakeholders in phosphorus sustainability: https://steps-center.org/2024/11/18/steps-wrrf-twg/
✨ Hey besties, our Gen Z intern is back at it—pop off, queen! ✨
#GenZ #GenZIntern #GenZEdit #nsfstories #fun
✨ Hey besties, our Gen Z intern is back at it—pop off, queen! ✨
#GenZ #GenZIntern #GenZEdit #nsfstories #fun
STEPS` Education team recently attended the NC Science Teachers` Association conference and introduced their latest ed tool: A phosphorus escape-box lesson for teachers! Read more: https://steps-center.org/2024/11/15/phosphorus-education-project-featured-at-nc-science-teachers-association-conference/
#nsffunded #nsfstories #STEMed #NCSTA24
STEPS` Education team recently attended the NC Science Teachers` Association conference and introduced their latest ed tool: A phosphorus escape-box lesson for teachers! Read more: https://steps-center.org/2024/11/15/phosphorus-education-project-featured-at-nc-science-teachers-association-conference/
#nsffunded #nsfstories #STEMed #NCSTA24
💥 STEPS researchers have published an important review:
"Biofertilizer Use in the United States: Definition, Regulation, and Prospects"
Key insights:
💡The term biofertilizer lacks a universally accepted definition
🌽 Defining biofertilizer is necessary for establishing a national regulation in the USA
📈 The biofertilizer market is growing fast, with the biggest market in the US
Read the full open access review at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00253-024-13347-4
#nsfstories #nsffunded
💥 STEPS researchers have published an important review:
"Biofertilizer Use in the United States: Definition, Regulation, and Prospects"
Key insights:
💡The term biofertilizer lacks a universally accepted definition
🌽 Defining biofertilizer is necessary for establishing a national regulation in the USA
📈 The biofertilizer market is growing fast, with the biggest market in the US
Read the full open access review at https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00253-024-13347-4
#nsfstories #nsffunded
📣Publication Alert📣 STEPS researchers recently published “Multiple Data Imputation Methods Advance Risk Analysis and Treatability of Co-occurring Inorganic Chemicals in Groundwater”! This work represents a breakthrough in water quality monitoring.
❓Accurately assessing and managing pollutants in water is critical, but water quality data is often limited due to logistical and financial constraints on collection and analysis.
💡Using existing data, the research team used machine learning algorithms to predict what pollutants are in an area. From this, more accurate and precise monitoring and assessment decisions can be made.
#nsffunded #nsfstories #research #water #machinelearning
📣Publication Alert📣 STEPS researchers recently published “Multiple Data Imputation Methods Advance Risk Analysis and Treatability of Co-occurring Inorganic Chemicals in Groundwater”! This work represents a breakthrough in water quality monitoring.
❓Accurately assessing and managing pollutants in water is critical, but water quality data is often limited due to logistical and financial constraints on collection and analysis.
💡Using existing data, the research team used machine learning algorithms to predict what pollutants are in an area. From this, more accurate and precise monitoring and assessment decisions can be made.
#nsffunded #nsfstories #research #water #machinelearning
