Faculty Fellows

Dr. Ahmadzadeh is developing a method for the analysis of the fatty acid content of biodiesel fuel. Biodiesel is a renewable fuel alternative to petroleum-based diesel, which is derived from vegetable oil. Vegetable oil used in biodiesel production may consist of recycled cooking oil or unused oil extracted from a variety of plants, including microalgae produced from the treatment of sewage waste. Proponents argue that biodiesel maintains performance standards while eliminating carcinogens found in petroleum diesel emissions. The Lyle Center has been producing and using this renewable fuel source in its diesel vehicles since 2004.

Fatty acids are important precursors in the synthesis of fuels for energy production. In order to obtain a final biodiesel product with desirable and reproducible quality, the fatty acid content of the biofuel must be monitored carefully by the appropriate selection of experimental conditions and analytical methods. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry is the most commonly used analytical technique for the analysis of fatty acids, as it is able to effectively separate the fatty acids from the other components in the biodiesel fuel. However this process requires an additional chemical reaction to convert the fatty acids to a form suitable for analysis. Dr. Ahmadzadeh has proposed two alternative analysis techniques, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Capillary Electrophoresis, as a means for eliminating the additional chemical reaction, while still being able to effectively separate the fatty acids from the biodiesel mixture. If successful, these innovations in testing may allow for expansion of high-quality biodiesel production.

Dr. Ahmadzadeh has been a member of the Cal Poly Pomona faculty since 2005. He received his Ph.D. in analytical chemistry from the University of Alberta, and previously held research positions at the University of Minnesota, York University and Target Discovery, inc. He is the author of numerous publications, including several on Capillary Electrophoresis analysis.

Dr.  Brelles-Mariño is studying biological nitrogen fixation in plants, an important process in regenerating soils for sustainable agriculture.  Legumes interact with bacteria in the soil to form “nodules” along roots and sometimes stems that facilitate the transfer of nitrogen from the atmosphere into the plant.  This process fertilizes the plant naturally and restores nitrogen to the soil, making it available to future crops and reducing the reliance on fertilizers to provide nitrogen for crop production. 

Molecular signals between bacteria and the plant, known as Nod factors, are responsible for triggering developmental processes in the plant leading to the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules.  Dr. Brelles-Mariño is studying methods for treating plant seeds with concentrations of Nod factors, to determine if the result is greater nodulation in the plant, and greater yields.  Preliminary laboratory results are encouraging, but Dr. Brelles-Mariño will be examining the effect of field conditions on these processes.  Her research included planting a series of alfalfa test plots at the Center.

Dr. Brelles-Mariño has been a member of the Cal Poly Pomona faculty since 2003.  She received her Ph.D. in biochemical sciences from Universidad Nacional de La Plata,  Argentina.  She previously held a position at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, in  Toulouse, France, and Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas, Spain, where she was researching biological nitrogen fixation.

Dr. Phillips is analyzing resources for sustainable agricultural development in the high desert region of San Bernardino County, California. The unincorporated areas north of the Cajon Pass near Silverwood Lake are experiencing significant urban development pressure. However, alternative uses, such as the promotion of agricultural production may be possible, particularly high-value crop production. High-value crops include certified organic products, which are produced without synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms, sewage sludge, or irradiation. Biodynamic production is another growing trend in high-value crops. Biodynamic agriculture seeks to bring about balance and healing of the environment through integrating crops and livestock, recycling nutrients, and maintaining the soil and the health and wellbeing of crops and animals.

Dr. Phillips has been conductingt an inventory of resources within the high desert region to assess the feasibility of these types of high-value agricultural production. This work builds on Dr. Phillips’ previous research developing such inventory methods. The study will evaluate agro-ecological resources, labor supply, institutional and physical infrastructure, access to markets and supporting industries, and various forms of capital resources. Special attention will also be paid to the infrastructure for marketing produce locally through roadside stands, farmers’ markets and community supported agriculture, a concept where community members pledge to cover the anticipated costs of the farm operation. In return, they receive shares in the farm's bounty throughout the growing season, as well as satisfaction gained from reconnecting to the land and supporting local food production.

Dr. Phillips has been a member of the Cal Poly Pomona faculty since 2002. He received his Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Michigan State University. He also received an MBA from Wayne State University, an M.A. in economics from Western Michigan University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is a member of the International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, the American Agricultural Economics Association, the Western Agricultural Economics Association, the Food Distribution Research Society, and the Raisin Administrative Committee. He is the author of numerous journal articles and technical reports related to agricultural firm management. He has also made more than twenty research presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. In addition to his professional activities, Dr. Phillips enjoys hiking in the mountains with his wife and son.

Professor Woodward is studying the potential resilience of designed landscapes by examining landscapes in the Los Angeles region that maintain integrity after being released from regular irrigation and maintenance.  The intent is to extract lessons from such landscapes so that future landscapes can be designed to maintain aesthetic and ecological function in the face of probable volatility.  Professor Woodward believes such findings are critical, particularly for communities with high concentrations of elderly and impoverished populations, as well as publicly maintained landscapes such as parks and open space.  These landscapes are most vulnerable to increases in water and energy costs, which could result in widespread release from irrigation and maintenance.

Professor Woodward is working on a book that will include essays and photographs reflecting on the success and potential of these “feral landscapes” in the Los Angeles region.  She is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, including the book Waterstained Landscapes, published by Johns Hopkins University Press in 2000. 

Dr.  Young is preparing a monograph exploring the history and geography of American camping between the decades when it emerged as a distinct recreation and when the various modes of camping, for example backpacking and motorized camping, reached maturity.  One of Dr. young’s goals is to understand camping in terms of regeneration and sustainability.  In his book Regenerative Design for Sustainable Development (Wiley, 1994), John Lyle argued that the “linear flows” of our urban-industrial society were responsible for degenerative patterns around us.  Our collective response to the degeneration – the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) – leads to alternative plans and mitigation measures, but these approaches, Lyle declared, are mere palliatives that only help in the short run.  Dr. Young’s work argues that even as Americans have attempted to mitigate society’s negative impacts on the physical environment, they also have sought to alleviate damage to their own individual and collective psyches through a form of recreation, camping.  Like EIAs and alternative plans, camping is a palliative that has not brought us closer to sustainability.  It has only helped Americans feel better without addressing deeper issues. 

Dr. Young’s work describes, analyzes and explains the prescriptive camping literature’s justifications for camping and thus opens a window into the motivations of campers and camping’s cultural meaning.  He will use the Fellowship to aide in developing a manuscript for scholarly publication, which will ultimately be incorporated into his upcoming book:  Heading Out: American Camping from 1860 to 1990. 

In addition to the Fellowship, Dr. Young is an Adjunct Faculty member of the Lyle Center, teaching courses in the Master of Science Program in Regenerative Studies.  He received his Ph.D. in Geography from UCLA, and is the author of Building San Francisco’s Parks, 1850-1930 (Johns Hopkins, 2004).