Mississippi State graduate student Tanner Marlow is turning his research in microbiology and insect-mediated waste conversion into an entrepreneurial venture.

Working to create value from materials typically sent to landfills, Marlow, a master’s student in biological sciences who graduated summa cum laude in spring 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in agronomy, is the founder of ReClaim LLC, a sustainability-focused company using composting and black soldier fly larvae bioconversion to transform organic waste into useful resources.

The venture was named a winner in MSU’s 2026 Startup Summit, an annual entrepreneurship competition hosted by the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach to connect student entrepreneurs and innovators with mentors, investors and opportunities to compete for funding.

“We have an opportunity to rethink what we consider waste,” said Marlow, a native of Columbiana, Alabama. “What we throw away can become a resource when we approach the problem with science, innovation and a willingness to think differently.”

ReClaim works with businesses, schools, organizations and community partners to divert food scraps and other organic materials from landfills while producing beneficial products for agriculture and environmental stewardship. Marlow’s work draws on his graduate research to explore how biological processes can be used to recover nutrients, reduce waste and support more sustainable resource management.

Marlow also has gained attention beyond the university. In May, he appeared on the Jackson-based WLBT’s Studio 3 to discuss ReClaim, its approach to organic waste and his vision for the company’s future.

He recently launched The ReClaim Movement, a podcast exploring the intersection of scientific research, entrepreneurship and sustainability. Through conversations and discussions, the podcast examines ways researchers and innovators are finding new value in materials traditionally considered waste.