Beth A Ahner

Beth A Ahner is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering at Cornell University, affiliated with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Recently concluding an administrative role in the CALS Dean’s office, she is returning to research and mentoring. Her work focuses on environmental biotechnology, particularly how organisms adapt to metal stress and influence metal cycling in ecosystems.

Education:

• PhD, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1994)
• Bachelor of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1989)

Research Interests: Her lab investigates plant mechanisms for solubilizing, detoxifying, and sequestering metals, with applications in phytoremediation. Key topics include intracellular detoxification pathways, biogeochemical metal cycling in natural and engineered systems, and sustainable uses of algae/plants in feed, food, and energy systems.

Advising & Grants: Hosts undergraduate researchers in her lab but no grants explicitly listed. Labs & Teams: Leads the Ahner Lab, based at 220 Riley-Robb Hall, Ithaca, NY.