Kennedy Intel Semifinalist: Maximize Land Use and Feed the World

How did you spend your summer vacation?

It's not a real relevant question this time of year, but for Daniel Bornstein, the answer led to national recognition, and perhaps, a small but crucial step in solving the world's food crisis.

Bornstein is a senior at Kennedy High School and was recently named a national semifinalist in the Intel Science Talent Search Program.  Of 1,736 nationwide entries in the contest, 300 made it to the semi-final round, including Bornstein and two other Kennedy students, Barri Bruno and Stephanie Weiner.  

Although Bornstein was not among the nine Long Island students selected as finalists on Wednesday, for making it as far as he did, the Merrick resident was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for his research in the agricultural field.

"It's a great honor to be recognized," Bornstein says.  "Students all around the country are doing research...I know I did everything I could do."

His project: An Analysis of Photosynthesis in Poplar Inoculated with Endophytic Bacteria.  Don't worry, we'll explain (actually, Daniel will, and I'll write).

It Starts With Intercropping

Daniel's work started in 10th grade.  He began reading about agricultural issues, and realized that unlike in the United States, healthy supplies of food are not a given in certain areas of the world.  He wanted to address the problem.

Daniel acquired some farm land in Amityville, and instead of planting row after row of the same crop, he planted a different crop in between, a process known as 'intercropping.'  In this case, he planted red clover, which deposits nitrogen in the soil.  This, in turn, improves irrigation by retaining more moisture - naturally.

"That nitrogen can be used for the next crop on the field, so it's reducing resource consumption," Bornstein says, referring to fertilizer.  Fertilizer prices are volatile, and cutting back could lead to farmers not maximizing land use, leading to potential food shortages, he believes.

Fuel vs. Food

This research led to Daniel's project this past summer, and led to his focus on corn-based ethanol, a widely used bio-fuel.  Congress has set ethanol mandates, motivating farmers to use their land for harvesting energy, rather than food.

"That's driving up food prices around the world...that land should be used to feed people," Daniel says.

He noted prior research showing that inserting bacteria into poplar trees allowed it to grow on soil not suitable for food crops.  Poplars are said to be a good source of bio-fuel.  This would allow farmers to utilize their fertile land for food.

At Brookhaven National Laboratory, Daniel brought photosynthesis to the forefront.  That's the measure of how effective the poplar absorbs light, which plays a key role in yield.  His studies produced an unexpected result: the bacteria decreased light-use efficiency, putting stress on the tree.

"That stress is an indicator that under higher carbon dioxide levels and higher incidence of drought, the poplar might not be able to grow as well as prior research [indicated]," he says.

The Next Step

This means poplar may not be as reliable a bio-fuel as was believed, and that more research needs to be done.  This includes testing poplar using technology that simulates future climatic conditions expected in the years ahead. Also, alternative bio-fuels need to be looked for.  Daniel wants to get the word out to developing nations about the best way to utilize land, both for food and fuel.

"My next goal is to work on sustainable farming practices in Africa," he says, "looking at ways farmers can feed their populations without totally degrading their land."

Passion For Science

Bornstein is one of the latest students to be recognized for his work through Kennedy's Advanced Science Research program.  The program was started by teacher Barbi Frank, who receives positive feedback from within the science community.

"[They] say these should be Ph.D students, they do incredible research...Dan did all this research, his passion is there, he is the one who brought it all the way," Frank says.

Passion seems to be a recurring theme when it comes to Daniel and his work, and his parents feel the hunger and energy crises can be solved, if their son has anything to say about it.

"He's going to be a voice to be heard," says his father, Ken Bornstein.  "It's an issue that's his passion...he's going to get the message out."

Daniel's Future

Daniel hopes to attend Williams College in Massachusetts in the fall to study international relations and environmental science.  He would like to become a journalist, covering agriculture in Third World nations.

"Dan really wants to go to Africa," Frank says.  "He wants to be on the farms and show them, if they don't know what they're doing, he wants to explain it the best he can."

Of course, with Daniel doing the bulk of the work, I think we explained his research quite well. 

Farmers of the world, you're next.