Sujay Tyle: The Complete Interview
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Sujay Tyle is a 14 year old bio-researcher who may have found the way to make the alternative fuel ethanol in a much more efficient way!
Here's the original interview:
Tell me about your work in alternative fuels, in simple terms, if you can.
So as all of you already know, the world is locked in a energy crisis. This depletion of gasoline causes an imminent threat to economies across the globe. Because of this an alternative source of energy needs to be found. Now, again as you are all aware, many types of energies are being researched (solar, wind, etc…) but we really need to narrow it down to one form that can be viable for sustainable development across the world. So my work focused in on ethanol, which is environmentally and socially friendly. However currently it’s not economically viable because it utilizes expensive enzymes while being produced, as well as corn and other food sources as raw material. My goal was to be able to eliminate the need for the enzymes and utilize cellulose from the nature, which we waste billions of tons annually. I looked into bacterium Clostridium thermocellum which has the ability to directly convert cellulose into ethanol. The problem with the cheap organism is that it works very slowly. So my goal was to find the gene of the organism response for cellulose conversion into ethanol, so in the future we can just take that one gene, clone it billions of times, and use it to create efficient ethanol. My work required the cloning and protein expression and testing of various genes, but in the end I was able to identify a gene that can directly convert cellulose into ethanol! I think we could potentially have a solution to this global crisis!
What is ‘biomass’, really?
Biomass is basically anything derived from biological material. It is carbon based and is in every shape and size, from crab shells to cotton. The paper that you are reading this on is an example of biomass. Cellulose encompasses the broad range of biomass, which is what I used during my investigations.
Why do you feel that this is important?
Our gasoline supply is predicted to be depleted by 2025, and with the rise of nations such as India and China, who need more energy, this year could decrease. Thus it is very important to have a solution in the near future. The Department of Energy has a goal to have an alternative energy solution by the year 2015, but I felt that that was not fast enough.
How did you get interested in this subject in the first place?
Four years ago, when I initially began my investigations, I began seeing the gas prices rise exponentially. People were dragging their cars to fill gas because of how expensive it was. It truly was corrupting the economy and the daily lives of the citizens. I felt we needed a change and after thorough research I came up with a way to tackle the issue, which is what I have been investigating for so many years.
How long did it take the older researchers to stop treating you like “just a kid”?
Well my first conference was when I was in 7th grade, at the age of 10. So I guess I really didn’t know what the researchers were thinking then! But after going through the competitions, and getting a feel for what I was doing, I started to see the same researchers at my competitions and talks. I think that’s when they started to think, “He might actually have something here!” For fours years now I have continued to dig deeper with my investigations, so they have seen that I am adamant with my work.
When you speak at conferences, what are people looking to you to explain? Why ‘the kid”? (I’m playing devil’s advocate here.)
I have presented from anywhere to a businessman to a renowned scientist in alternative energy throughout my years. So I guess they are looking for the way I tackled the issue. When I began working, nobody had looked at the problem the way I did, which piqued the attention of the people I present to. When they see that I could have a potential solution, which is an abstract one, yet practical, they start to see it as true science.
What kind of columns do you write for the newspaper? What subjects do you cover?
This past year I have had the privilege of writing for the largest newspaper in Upstate New York, the Democrat and Chronicle. I write about basically anything, from politics to sports. I have written about alternative energy, and where I see it going. But the possibilities are endless.
What is the paper’s name?
The Democrat and Chronicle
Do you still get time to be a ‘regular’ teenager?
Absolutely! I have an active social life, and I am just a regular teenager with a passion for science.
What are your ‘free time’ hobbies? What music do you like? Any sports?
I play varsity tennis for my high school, and love to play ping-pong whenever possible. My favorite music is definitely reggaeton, which is Spanish hip-hop and rap music, and Bollywood music, which is Hindi music. I am basically fluent in Spanish and Hindi, so the music comes naturally to my liking. Besides that, I am avid participant in Mock Trial I have been the opening attorney for the school team since my freshman year in high school.
What gets you excited?
Oohh, that’s a tough question. Probably knowing that we all have the ability to tackle problems, no matter how big they are. When you view all the problems plaguing the world, or that have plagued the world, you can narrow down how they were solved to people – just like you and me.
What are you looking forward to next?
I am really looking forward to graduating from high school in the next two years and going to college. I plan to continue alternative energy research, and maybe bring it up to the commercial level.
Any long-term plans?
My goal for the future is to be the CEO or high executive for a Fortune 500 company and to start a hospital with free, quality medical care for the underprivileged in a third world nation.
Any advice for other kids?
Anything is possible, as long as you’re dedicated and interested in what you’re doing. Just find something you like, and work towards it.
Anything else you’d really like to share with people?
Aim High!
