The US department of energy has awarded a US$1.5m grant to fund nationwide efforts in expanding the aquaculture workforce.
The Levine project, led by Ira Levine, will be administered through the Algae Foundation alongside The National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
“It is about teaching the next generation of aquaculture workers. New aquaculture classes could begin as early as fall 2016,” said Mr Levine, professor of natural and applied sciences at USM’s Lewiston-Auburn College.
The three year grant will be used to develop a two year aquaculture degree for community colleges and technical schools, alongside aiding the creation of an Algae Technology Education Consortium.
Mr Levin believes schools in southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Florida will join the project.
The professor meanwhile also sits as president and chair of the Algae Foundation. His work, at both home and abroad, focuses on using algae as a fuel source and as bio-based nutraceuticals and cosmaceuticals.
