Source: NCSU COLLEGE OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES, 10/8/21


Fertilizer overuse is leading to algal blooms, fishkills and other environmental issues as rain carries excess phosphorus into our lakes and waterways. At the same time, our world’s mineable phosphorus supply is dwindling, potentially leading to worldwide economic and political instability in the not-too-distant future. 

An interdisciplinary team of researchers across NC State and partner universities will address both ends of these issues through a new $25 million NSF-funded Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center headquartered at NC State. The center is anchored by an ambitious “25-in-25” goal, which calls for a 25% reduction in phosphate loss and a 25% reduction in phosphorus dependence over the next 25 years. 

Enter Khara Grieger, NC State assistant professor and extension specialist in environmental health and risk assessment in the Department of Applied Ecology. She will co-lead a knowledge transfer team to reach those goals by building a strong line of two-way communication between STEPS Center researchers, external stakeholders, and community members who can help make these goals a reality.

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