Madeline DuBois
Research Technician, Ecology
Madeline DuBois, originally from the hamlet of Poolville, New York, recently graduated from Northeastern University with a bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering. Throughout college, she worked as a research assistant for a professor who was studying the ability of a “living machine” to treat wastewater for reuse with plants and bacteria. That was her introduction to biomimicry and the idea of turning to nature for inspiration to solve human challenges in more sustainable ways. She is researching how intercropped perennials use water and how we can harness and optimize those relationships to move towards more sustainable water use in agriculture. She is a former intern.
Q&A
What drew you to work at TLI?
I’m really interested in developing ways to transition to more sustainable water and nutrient use in agriculture and could talk forever about how excited I am about the opportunity to contribute to the important and incredible work happening at TLI, but it was the community that sealed the deal for me. I remember looking at the staff and intern profiles before applying, being so inspired by everyone’s thoughtful responses and genuine smiles, and thinking that these were exactly the type of passionate people I want to surround myself with. Turns out they’re all just as great as their profiles seem!
What would people never guess that you do as part of your role at TLI?
Take care of goats! We have three adorable goats who are visiting this summer to help with weed control and I’ve had the honor of being their caretaker.
What else are you passionate about (outside of work)?
Trying to convince my friends that contrary to what they mistakenly believe, Kansas is, in fact, the best state ever…and that they should immediately drop everything to visit me and see for themselves.
If you were to write a book, what would it be about?
It would be photos of all the crazy things that people throw on the side of the road, including a refrigerator that I saw on a bike ride this morning?!
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