Andrew Medford’s research focuses on catalyst design, and he collaborates with SLS on projects pertaining to the development of processes for solar fertilizer production. The prospect of harnessing renewable energy and resources for fertilizer production has numerous technical and societal implications including a reduced carbon footprint for agriculture and improved access to fertilizers in remote and impoverished regions. These issues arise at the intersection of chemical engineering and agriculture, and Dr. Medford’s group works closely with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) to understand the constraints and challenges of solar fertilizers from the perspective of agronomics. This work has the potential to reduce the reliance on centralized fertilizer production and empower communities to produce their own fertilizers and food in a more sustainable way.