Ferndale High Alumnus Works to Restore Environments with Biotechnology

At a time when many talented and well-educated young people are leaving the state, Tom Mahler is not only staying in the area, but also actively working to improve it.

A 2005 graduate of , 23-year-old Mahler is working toward a degree in biotechnology at Wayne State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Science. Biotechnology is a field of applying biology and living organisms to technology and engineering. Products of this field include genetic engineering, but that's not what Mahler does.

“I have been accumulating knowledge for some time and have been anxious to do a ‘real-world’ project – something practical that would make a difference," Mahler said. "I started reading biotechnology journals and found the field was still very limited. Only one to two others were doing practical applications of bioremediation.”

Mahler explained this is the practice of returning contaminated environments to their original condition.

Last year, Mahler took some time off from college to launch his new company, Bioremediation Action. It is a private, nonprofit that hopes to use trees and plants to remove pollutants from the soil. Doing so will aid in the transformation of contaminated brownfields to safe, productive lands again.

He held the first fundraiser in August through Kickstarter, an online funding platform for creative projects.

Initial funds helped to offset the costs of the soil tests. Out of six soil tests performed by the University of Massachusetts of various plots in Detroit, potentially hazardous levels of lead were found in all samples. The test results will be used to plan bioremediation gardens in this spring.

The long-term goal is to use this information to ensure that soil is safe for community gardening and habitation. Depending on the results of the soil tests, Mahler hopes to alert urban farmers to the dangers of agricultural production in a possibly contaminated environment. Meanwhile, Mahler is encouraging beginning the cleanup as soon as possible.

As part of this process, Mahler went back on Kickstarter to raise funds for a Lean-to Dome Greenhouse and raised $345 (his goal was $300). He hopes to construct a geodesic dome, which will be used as a tree nursery to grow bioremediators species and food for the community. Community members will be welcome to learn greenhouse building and growing techniques. Donations will help pay for lumber.

Mahler said he attributes FHS and the Center for Advanced Studies and the Arts (CASA), a six-school consortium involving students from Berkley, Clawson, Ferndale, Lamphere, Madison and Oak Park, as having helped to prepare him for college and starting a business.

“I took Advanced Placement computer science and environmental science classes as part of CASA," he said. "FHS science teachers Adina Rubenstein and Ryan Dunlap were instrumental in exposing me to environmental science even though it may not have been part of the curriculum.”

Dunlap enjoyed having Mahler in his class. “Tom was very bright and was always very inquisitive. ... He always had good input into discussions and was always polite and cooperative," Dunlap said. "I’m very glad to hear that he will be doing work in the environmental science field. It sounds like he is really onto a great concept with his bioremediation ideas – and to be doing it locally is outstanding.”

Rubenstein also teaches at CASA. “It’s pretty neat to see where that path has led him," Rubenstein said. "Tom was a pretty laid-back student and a pretty complex thinker. I am not surprised that he has found a passion that mixes hard biotech science with environmental science, public health issues, while building community. Go Tom!"

In addition to running his company, Mahler plans to continue his education and pursue a graduate degree in bioinformatics at WSU, one of the few universities in the country offering such a program.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call 248-765-5760 or e-mail DetroitBioremediation@gmail.com.