In this article, we highlight the chemical and toxicological challenges that limit PFAS biodegradation and propose landfills as culture-to-enrichment reservoirs for PFAS-degrading microbiomes.
My lab at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore does everything PFAS — from environmental monitoring to biological impact assessment and innovative remediation. We study PFAS uptake and phenotypic changes in crops like soybeans, alongside bioindicator and toxicity studies using armyworms, mosquitoes, and fruit flies. Using genomic and molecular tools, we uncover stress-response mechanisms. Our remediation strategies include phytoextraction, microbial degradation, and functionalized carbon materials for PFAS adsorption, immobilization, and PFAS-ligand binding to support enzymatic biotransformation.