Profile: Lucas Ellis

Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH)

While a senior at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Lucas Ellis’s many biodiesel pursuits earned him the nickname “Mr. Biodiesel.”

“In college there is an eagerness to become an advocate or have a cause, and mine was the environment, science and educating others about sustainability,” Ellis said. “Biodiesel became my passion.”

Ellis used his passion to create an independent study course at Cal Poly, CHEM 400, on biodiesel production. He became the Chemistry Chair of the Cal Poly Biodiesel Club and assisted in the design of the club’s biodiesel processor.

Working with his professor, Ellis organized a biodiesel lab where he taught chemistry students and club members about the chemistry of biodiesel. Students made their own biodiesel from used cooking oil collected from campus dining halls.

“The look on fellow-students’ faces, while holding a mason jar of biodiesel, was more gratifying than even that on the faces of people I had guided on rock climbing expeditions,” he said.

Ellis also spent a year at West Virginia University, where he founded the WVU Biodiesel Project. The group organized three laboratories to educate college students of the chemistry of biodiesel, and gave presentations at WVU and at a technical conference. In the fall of 2007, he was invited to be the keynote speaker of the KEEN: STAND for Sustainability College Tour, where over 300 students were in attendance. The WVU Biodiesel Project received a $1000 prize for its efforts to improve sustainability on campus.

Since leaving WVU for grad school, the WVU Biodiesel Project extended its outreach by organizing educational events for middle and high school kids learning about the benefits of studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics. West Virginians studying in those disciplines is below the national average.

Today, Ellis is pursuing his Master of Science in Biochemical Engineering at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. Capitalizing on his love of sharing knowledge with others, he hopes to get his Ph.D. and become a professor.

“My whole life I’ve been interested in doing something I thought could support the environment,” he said. “The current direction we’re going in is not sustainable, from our rate of consumption to how much carbon dioxide we emit as a society. Biodiesel can help change that — literally choosing between ‘pump one’ and ‘pump two’ can have huge ramifications.”

That mentoring spirit is what made Ellis stand out as a leader to serve as a co-chair of the Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel.. Led by the National Biodiesel Board, the campaign is an effort to demonstrate – and generate – support among tomorrow’s energy leaders, like Ellis.

“I am enthralled with educating students and the community about the benefits of biodiesel,” he said. “Fuel is one area where it is so easy, and so critical to make a positive change in society.”

Other Profiles:

Bernardo del Campo
Jason Strull
Mikkel VandeBergh

Back to main Next Generation Scientists for Biodiesel page.