Beth Ahner

Professor, Biological and Environmental Engineering

Beth Ahner is a Professor in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering. Her professional objectives have been to explore basic science in pursuit of better engineering solutions. In particular, she seeks to understand how organisms adapt to trace metal stress in the environment and in turn, how they influence the form of metals in the environment. Discoveries in this area lead to better strategies to remediate metal contamination in the environment and to a better understanding of natural ecosystems.

Education

Doctorate
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1994
Bachelor of Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
1989

Recent Research

Professor Ahner’s research in environmental biotechnology explores how plants solubilize, take up, detoxify, and sequester metals. Her lab group focuses on questions involving intracellular detoxification mechanisms and how biological processes affect the biogeochemical cycling of metals in both the natural environment and in engineered systems. One application of this research is phytoremediation, the use of plants to remove metals from contaminated soils.

Courses Taught

Professor Ahner is currently teaching an introductory course focused on broad applications of biological engineering (ENGRI 1337) with Professor March and a senior/graduate level course about bioremediation of environmental contaminants (BEE 4520/5520) with Professor Capiro. She also enjoys hosting and teaching undergraduates working in her laboratory.

ENGRI 1337 Innovating with Biological Engineering
BEE 4520/5520 Advances in Bioremediation

Contact Information

220 Riley-Robb Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853

(607) 255-8852

baa7 [at] cornell.edu

- Ahner Lab

Beth in the news

A harmful algae bloom along the west shore of Cayuga Lake.

News

July 16, 2025

Toxic algae releases chemicals to suppress competitors

A new study examines how a cyanobacteria manipulates its environment to give itself advantages to take over the water column, leading to harmful algal blooms and mats in lakes during hot summers.

Biological and Environmental Engineering
Water

News

June 14, 2023

Dean announces two CALS leadership appointments

Benjamin Z. Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean, has announced appointments elevating two members of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to leadership positions. Sahara Byrne , professor of communication, has been promoted to senior...