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ESF Biochemistry Students Compete for Enzyme of the Year Title
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Dec. 12, 2025 — Biochemistry students at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) will showcase their research and persuasive skills during the annual “My Enzyme is the Coolest” competition, where the 2025 Enzyme of the Year will be crowned.
Will it be Nitrous Oxide Reductase, the greenhouse gas eliminator, or Glucose Oxidase, the powerhouse behind glucose meters, or perhaps, “the methane eater,” Soluble Methane Monooxygenase.
Students in Dr. Jennifer Goff’s biochemistry class spent the semester researching the structure and function of an enzyme for their “My Enzyme is the Coolest” project to determine the 2025 ESF Enzyme of the Year. The project culminates in a final poster session from 3:20-5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 15, in the Gateway Center. Students will present their posters and try to convince observers to vote for their enzyme for the coveted title.
All attendees will be given a ballot when they arrive, and are asked to view at least half of the 11 posters on exhibit before casting their vote. Voting closes at 4:30 p.m. with the winner announced at the end of the event.
You don’t need to be a biochemist to participate. Students designed their presentations for an educated but general audience.
“We had two guest workshops this semester focused on communicating your science to a wide audience,” said Goff. “This activity helps the students practice those skills that they’ll need in their careers.”
As a bonus, Dr. Rich List’s Scanning Electron Microscopy students will showcase microscopy images alongside a special exhibit, “Art on the Nano Scale.”
“You should plan on spending at least three minutes with each poster to get a feel for the enzyme,” said Goff. However, people are welcome to enjoy the presentations without voting.
Last year’s winner was Dinoflagellate Luciferase, found in algae, and is the dominant source of bioluminescence in coastal waters.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.