Chiara S
- Research Program Mentor
PhD candidate at Princeton University
Expertise
Environmental engineering, chemisty, water pollution technology, degradation of organic contaminants, water quality
Bio
Hello! I study environmental engineering because I'm passionate about caring for the planet and developing solutions to environmental issues, especially water pollution. In my role as a Ph.D. candidate at Princeton University, I research bacteria that can degrade per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals.' My interdisciplinary research investigates the degradation mechanism by tracking PFAS degradation products and relevant enzymes needed for degradation. Beyond research, I enjoy playing boardgames with friends, dancing (salsa) when I can, and trying different art projects (crocheting, drawing, etc.).Project ideas
Assessing PFAS Water Quality Needs
Federal regulations for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are limited, with only 6 out of 15,000 compounds regulated. Instead, many US states set concentration limits for PFAS in wastewater treatment plant effluent. However, there is no consensus on limitations or best management/monitoring practices. For this project, the student will survey existing literature and data to assess the state and efficacy of PFAS regulations in the US. Findings can be presented as a report or as an interactive storyboard. Students will gain experience in searching for, organizing, analyzing, and presenting data from literature.