Odunola Latifah Odofin (2024)

Project Title: Biodegradation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in water

Fellow: Odunola Latifah Odofin

Adviser(s): Yun Ji

Project Summary: PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are widely used in consumer products and persist in the environment due to their strong chemical bonds. They accumulate in water and are linked to health issues such as thyroid disease, cancer, and liver damage, while current treatment methods are costly and unsustainable.

This project explores a biological approach using freshwater microalgae to remove PFAS from water. Focusing on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), experiments monitored algal growth and measured changes in PFAS concentrations using LC-MS to evaluate the potential of microalgae for remediation.