UW-Stevens Point: Paul Fowler to head Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology

Paul Fowler has taken the helm as the first executive director of the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Fowler comes to UWSP from Wales, UK, where he was director of the Welsh Institute for Natural Resources, a financially self-sustaining unit of Bangor University. He led that institute’s efforts to develop commercial applications of sustainable technologies based on renewable materials.

Fowler has a doctorate in organic chemistry.

WIST is a new, multidisciplinary institute at UWSP. It aims to develop and commercialize sustainable technologies and ideas through collaborative research across campus and in partnerships with business and industry. Major research underway includes a biofuels project to develop fuels from forest and agricultural products to replace jet fuel, diesel and gasoline. The technology would help Wisconsin’s paper and pulp mills diversify their revenue sources. Other WIST-funded research includes a pilot project to examine the effectiveness of organic and biological soil amendments in mitigating impacts of urbanization on soil properties, and research to develop a low-cost test for manure contamination in water, which could help agencies clean up polluted ground and surface water.

“I can see immediate exciting opportunities arising in the development of the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology,” Fowler said. “There is great potential to create applications to benefit the economy, the environment and society. We’ll work to develop not only new technologies but new ideas and methods so we may go about things in a more sustainable manner.”

The university will host an official launch for WIST and welcome for Fowler on Sept. 8, followed by WIST introductory events for the Central Wisconsin business community and public at the UWSP Wausau Center on October 4 and at Treehaven, in Tomahawk, on October 20. More information is available at http://www.uwsp.edu/WIST.