The Algae Biomass Organization (ABO) is thrilled to reveal the winners of the Young Researcher Poster Competition, featured at the 2025 Algae Biomass Summit on the Arizona State University campus. This year's event highlighted exceptional emerging talent in algae and seaweed research and innovation, with entrants hailing from institutions across the globe.

Nearly 100 researchers competed in the poster session at the 2025 Algae Biomass Summit. Judges evaluated entries based on experimental design, alignment with existing scientific literature, visual appeal, and presentation quality. The winners' groundbreaking research covers a wide range of topics in algae and seaweed science, including environmental sustainability, biodiesel production, innovative textile uses, and toxin analysis.

The recipients of the Algae Biomass Summit’s Young Researcher Poster Competition are:

1st Place in Research Design and Methods:
Joyce Marumo (New Mexico State University, USA)

Title of Poster: “Beyond Waste: Microalgae-based Remediation Systems for Dairy Wastewater - A Systematic Review”

1st Place in Engineering Innovation:
Alireza Fallahi (Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA)

Title of Poster: “CFD-Driven Innovations in Photobioreactor Design: Enhancing CO2 Mass Transfer for Sustainable Microalgal Growth.”

1st Place in Biological Innovation:
Sarah Alsaif (Newcastle University, UK)

Title of Poster: “Palmaria palmata as a sustainable platform for biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles as an anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis agent”

1st Place in Aspirational Research and Creativity:
Mustafa Velioglu (McNeese University, USA) 

Title of Poster: “Cultivating Nannochloropsis oculata Micralgae Species to Extract Total Algal Lipids and Isolate Phospholipids via Solid Phase Extraction”

"The Young Researcher Poster Competition is a cornerstone of the Algae Biomass Organization's mission, spotlighting the next generation of innovators whose fresh ideas and rigorous science are driving algae and seaweed technologies forward," said Kavin McGraw, board chair of the Algae Biomass Organization.

The Algae Biomass Summit serves as the leading forum for professionals and experts in the algae industry to exchange ideas, explore new research, and promote the ongoing development of algae-based solutions for a sustainable future. The Young Researcher Poster Competition is a key component of the event, providing a platform for emerging talent to present their work and network with industry leaders.

The Algae Biomass Organization congratulates the recipients on their well-deserved achievements. Their dedication to advancing algae research and innovation promises a brighter, more sustainable future.