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Towns set to receive millions in aid
PURE charity Youth nonprofit continues programs despite pandemic
Plainsboro and West Windsor to get almost $5M combined
BY EMMY LIEDERMAN
Raunaq Saharan is a junior at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North, a blue ribbon school that is known for its competitive resources. Saharan never really thought twice about her access to a high-quality education, but after visiting her cousins in a small, rural village in India, her perspective completely changed. “Their school has one room for 40 students and one teacher,” said Saharan. “They don’t have a negative outlook on it because it’s all they know, but when I think about how my school is one of the most recognized in the country, I consider what I can do to help not only my cousins, but other kids just like them.” Despite the circumstances, what strikes Saharan most about the lifestyle of her relatives is the sense of community across the village. “They don’t have conventional bathrooms or running water, but these circumstances have created a tightknit community,” she said. “Despite having such a small amount of resources, they are such happy people.” After feeling inspired by the perseverance of her family members, Saharan decided to See PURE, Page 16
BY BILL SANSERVINO
Plainsboro resident Melkamu Woldemariam with the corn plants he is using in his research at The College of New Jersey.
Plainsboro biologist gets $1 million grant for corn research project BY BILL SANSERVINO AND DANI SAKRAN
Melkamu Woldemariam has the best of both worlds. His position as an assistant professor of biology at The College of New Jersey affords him the opportunity to do the two things he loves—teach and conduct research. Last month, Woldemariam was the recipient of a major boon that will allow him to step up his activities in both areas. The Plainsboro resident has been awarded a $1 million joint grant from the National
Science Foundation and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The funding will be used by Woldemariam, 41, a plant biologist who specializes in molecular and chemical ecology, to support his research program and to engage undergraduate research collaborators in his work. Woldemariam’s research involves comparing the chemical composition of corn varieties and how we can better prevent against insect attack, as well as revealing the genetic causes for the variability in
plant chemical defenses. Each year, a sizable fraction of global agricultural productivity in crop plants is lost to insect and pathogen attacks. “It’s an awesome feeling to know that the work we do here at TCNJ is viewed very favorably by talented researchers in the field,” Woldemariam said. “I am thrilled to be able to give my students the opportunity to participate in this project with potential national and international significance.” Woldemariam was born in Addis Ababa, the capital city See GRANT, Page 4
1179 NEWARK, NJ
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Mercer County and the communities within will receive a combined total of almost $187 million in aid from the federal government over the next two years. The money will come from funds allocated for state and municipal aid under the American Rescue Plan—the $1.9 trillion stimulus package approved by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden last month. Under the act, New Jersey will receive the eighth largest pot of federal money compared to other states, including $360 billion in state and local aid. The state itself will receive $6.4 billion plus another $189 million to expand broadband internet across the state. An additional $1.8 billion will be split among the 21 county governments and $1.741 billion is to be divided among all 565 cities and municipalities in New Jersey. The ARP calls for $71.26 million to go to the Mercer County itself and $115.5 million to be dispersed to indiSee AID, Page 8