Reflections From a Sustainability-Focused Internship

By Jessica Brown, Senior Research Engineer

This summer, Genevieve (Genna) Rump had the unique opportunity to explore the world of decarbonization and renewable fuels as a summer intern at Alder Renewables. Genna, an incoming junior at the University of Colorado Boulder, was tasked with assisting in conducting research, collecting and analyzing data, and operating lab-scale chemical separation processes at the firm’s new lab facility in Colorado.

One of Genna’s initial tasks was to learn about pyrolysis oil and its potential upgrading routes — the core technology that Alder Renewables is advancing for commercialization. Through reviewing published literature and shadowing analytical chemists at Alder Renewables, Genna was immediately immersed in the intricacies of upgrading fast pyrolysis oil into Alder Renewable Crude (ARC). She also got to see up close the unique challenges that accompany benchmarking the performance of a new technology with a suite of analytical chemistry techniques.

Speaking before her summer internship, Genna said, “Participating in lab work and listening to the tech team discuss day-to-day development issues was hugely engaging and helpful for me. I liked that I got to work so closely with the team and be part of testing the company’s renewable fuels.”

The collaborative environment at Alder Renewables was a highlight of Genna’s experience. Team meetings were a space for idea exchange, where the technical team members worked together to find solutions and openly address challenges. Genna had the chance to present her findings and contribute to discussions, which not only helped develop her research skills but also allowed her to see the value of diverse perspectives in driving innovation.

Genna’s enthusiasm extended outside her work during the internship. Throughout the summer, the team engaged in various team-building and culture-focused activities. Genna participated in a team hike to an alpine lake, a competitive volleyball game, and many outdoor lunches with coworkers at the Infinite Labs facility, taking in the beautiful views of the Flatirons.

Genna’s mentors, Camille Amador and Hanna Timberlake, played a crucial role in her development. As supervisors, they provided continuous support, offering guidance and constructive feedback aimed at fostering personal and professional growth. Encouraged to ask questions and think critically, Genna’s approach to research and problem-solving evolved significantly over the summer. As Genna’s experience and confidence grew, she was able to take on more responsibility in the lab. One of the most memorable days of Genna’s internship came toward the end of the summer when she operated the Alder Renewable Crude separations process under the supervision of Alder engineers.

Her summer internship at Alder Renewables helped solidify Genna’s desire to pursue research in her career. Derek Vardon, CTO of Alder Renewables, reflected, “The Alder Renewables team is grateful to have benefitted from Genna’s enthusiasm, curiosity, and impressive work ethic. She was an amazing addition to the team — even if just for a summer. We wish her all the best and will be cheering her on as she embarks on the next step of her professional journey.”