California, USA
ICL Growing Solutions
Cultivating Chemistry for a Cleaner Harvest
California’s Central Valley is among the most productive agricultural regions in the world. That productivity, though, requires a lot of fertilizer, which can cause nutrient pollution when not thoughtfully managed. Luis Ceron grew up in this veritable breadbasket and is now tackling that challenge as a fertilizer chemist at ICL Growing Solutions, a manufacturer of specialty plant nutrition products. He enrolled in the Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability certificate program to develop new technical skills for formulating improved agrochemical products.
“I saw the program as an opportunity to better understand sustainable chemistry practices and how they can be applied in my field,” Ceron said. “It broadened my perspective on sustainable food production and the future of green chemistry in agriculture.”
Ceron’s capstone project focused on identifying effective, biodegradable alternatives for chelating agents, the organic compounds added to fertilizer to make nutrients more absorbable by plants. That experience provided valuable insight into principles of sustainable development and green chemistry that will inform his professional work. This year, Ceron also became a Nuffield USA Farming Scholar — a program that provides support to industry leaders for global travel, research, and networking — which has allowed him to continue exploring agricultural solutions around the world.
“These experiences highlighted both the opportunities and challenges associated with transitioning toward more environmentally friendly technologies,” he said. “They reinforced for me the role that chemistry can play in helping feed a growing global population.”
Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability Spotlight
Advancing Green Chemistry Through Education
The Philippines has vast agricultural resources that can be used to develop sustainable chemical products and processes. Yet, as the country faces the growing impacts of climate change, realizing the potential of green chemistry necessitates more than scientific innovation. It requires a well-trained workforce. That is where Hazel Joyce M. Ramirez, an assistant professor at the University of the Philippines College of Education, comes in.
Ramirez enrolled in the Green Chemistry for Climate and Sustainability certificate program to gain technical skills and advance green chemistry in her capacity as an educator. The program expanded her understanding of systems thinking and helped her build bridges between research, industry, and academia.
Other Certificate Programs Spotlights
Breaking Down Silos to Increase Climate Resilience in Central Asia
Urban Climate Leadership Certificate
