REU Supplement: Collaborative Research: Transformation, Interaction And Toxicity Of Emerging 2D Nanomaterials Free-Standing And Embedded Onto Nanocomposite Membranes For PFAS Degradation (Participant Support Costs; AMD 02)

This is a request for an REU Supplement for summer 2024 to support two undergraduate students, that have been already identified with one being a minority student and another a woman from economically disadvantaged area in Appalachian KY. The overall goal of the grant is the safe development of the nanocomposite membranes that can be used to breakdown the persistent organic contaminants, polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. The students, Jerilynn Hutton and Nerissa Kiprotich, will be working under supervision of Dr. Tsyusko and Dr. Escobar, respectively, with Jerilynn examining toxicity of the hexagonal boron nitride alone and in the combined exposures with PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid) to a model organism and Nerissa studying the effects of the membrane casting support layer on integrity, morphology and permeability of the membranes. Both PI and Co-PI have an extensive experience working, training, and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and are involved with NSF REU Site and UK Superfund Center (Dr. Escobar) and Summer Undergraduate Research in Environmental Sciences (SURES) under NIH (Dr. Tsyusko). This supplement will allow the students to participate in the multidisciplinary research at the interface of engineering and environmental toxicology. The students will be working closely with the graduate students following a triad-style of mentoring and will also participate in the lab meetings and weekly meetings with our collaborator for the University of Nebraska, Nirupam Aich, and his graduate student. Jerilynn and Nerissa will also have an opportunity to interact with other NSF REU and SURES students and participate in research seminars and present their results.