Enhancing bioremediation of groundwater co-contaminated by chlorinated volatile organic compounds and 1,4-dioxane using novel macrocyclic materials

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Project Summary The purpose of the supplement (PA-21-071) is to promote diversity in health-related research, enhance diversity of the environmental health sciences workforce–bring in someone from underrepresented group who is not already funded on the grant. Ricki Kuvach will be the new trainee in the on-going NIEHS project (R01 ES032692-01) ‘Enhancing bioremediation of groundwater co-contaminated by chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) and 1,4- dioxane using novel macrocyclic materials’. Ricki is an African American Latina female undergraduate student currently enrolled in the environmental engineering program at Texas Tech. She will graduate this summer and start her master program at Texas Tech in the fall of 2022. In the proposed research plan, which is a reasonable extension of the parent project, Ricki will work on using selective sorbent-advanced oxidation process (AOP) combination to enhance groundwater remediation in terms of two common co-contaminants (1,4-dioxane and chlorinated volatile organic compounds) under the supervision of Dr. Yuexiao Shen and Dr. Balaji Rao. The project will extend the applications of novel materials. Her goal is to select the most effective sorbent-AOP combinations and investigate the interference conditions. Ricki will utilize her knowledge from her environmental classes to solve real problems in environmental fields. Ricki has the opportunity to present her work in national conferences and learn how to write and publish a research article. Through this project, Ricki will learn critical thinking, develop experimental skills, and conduct independent research. The entire training program will provide a platform for her towards an independent environmental health scientist and engineer in the future.