SAME Anchorage Post August Meeting

This presentation will provide an overview on using microbe-metal interactions for a sustainable method for extracting, concentrating, and separating rare earth elements (bio-mining).

About our speakers:

Speaker: Michael Martinez

Michael Martinez is a PhD Chemistry student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and is a student with the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP). Michael is an enrolled tribal member of the Village of Kotlik in Alaska. He has been conducting research with Briggs Lab UAA since 2018. Michael presented at the National Academy of Inventors in 2021 as a Next Generation Inventor. He was honored by Senator Sullivan to the U.S. Senate and President in Washington D.C. for work in sustainable rare earth element bio-mining. He obtained his B.Sc in Chemistry at the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2022. Michael is the Co-Founder & CEO of Arctic Biotech Oath and the ABO team successfully completed both NSF innovation corps programs. He taught at the University of Minnesota NIH ADAR training program from 2022-2024. He has presented research in France, at the SME Annual Conference and to the American Chemical Society Conference. His research investigates rare earth element extraction and separation processes using microbial cells. His research contributions are to the U.S. Department of Energy CORE-CM group and UAF Center ICE program for innovation.

Speaker: Dr. Brandon Briggs, PhD

Dr. Brandon Briggs is a Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage, the Core Director for the Advanced Instrumentation in Microbiome Studies (AIMS) Core facility, and Chief Technology Officer of Arctic Biotech Oath. Dr. Briggs is a geomicrobiologist with over 20 years experience in microbe-metal interactions. He has gained extensive experience in microbe-metal interactions by working on iron reduction in clays, acidophilic iron reducers, bioremediation of chromium, and the effects of metals on the microbiota in hot springs. More recently, Dr. Briggs has applied his knowledge of microbe-mineral interactions to develop a novel and sustainable method for extracting, concentrating, and separating rare earth elements. This biotechnology doesn’t use hazardous or toxic chemicals and is more efficient and cost effective than current technologies.

Info: Arrive at BP Energy Center, get lunch (if ordered), network with colleagues.

Info: Presentation on Rare Earth Element & Critical Mineral, Bio-Mining Extraction Processing

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