Photo courtesy of K. Shah
Graduate student Kshitija Shah, advised by civil and environmental engineering professor Shaily Mahendra, is the winner of the 2023 Battelle International Symposium on Bioremediation and Sustainable Environmental Technologies Student Paper Competition. Shah’s winning paper is entitled, “Proteomic insights into fungal-mediated PFAS precursor biotransformation.”
Shah’s research investigates the use of omics in characterizing and improving the biotransformation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs), a class of probable human carcinogens, reproductive health disruptors, and ubiquitous environmental pollutants. PFASs trigger the differential expression of proteins in various organisms; Shah’s work focuses on understanding these biochemical mechanisms in fungi to potentially enhance their PFAS biotransformation abilities and mitigate PFAS toxicity in the environment.
The international student paper competition recognizes excellence in research and technical writing. The award includes a travel stipend for the Battelle Bioremediation Symposium in Austin, TX.
The Bioremediation Symposium is the leading international forum for fostering technical innovation at the intersection of environmental science, engineering, and practice for the bioremediation of recalcitrant environmental pollutants.
Shah’s research, as described in her winning paper, was also featured as a platform presentation at the 2023 Battelle Bioremediation Symposium.
Congratulations!
Link to the award announcement: https://www.battelle.org/conferences/bioremediation-symposium/student-participation