Lauren Gold

Hometown:

Kuna, ID US
(Ada County)

School:

Boise State University
Undergraduate student
Biochemistry and Chemistry

Funded by EPSCoR Award:

ICREWS | OIA-2242769

Research Location(s):

Boise State University

COUNTIES:  Ada

LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT(S):  District 18

Research Statement:

I want to expand methods of securing public health from pollutants found in water supplies. I intend to do this through the testing of degradation methods to find a more efficient and energy conserving route of degrading perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). I intend to pursue a career in medicine, and I believe that my research now will provide routes to improve the health of my future patients. By working to improve the water supply in Idaho the overall public health will improve as harmful chemicals are more efficiently remediated.

Research Impact:

Perfluorinated alkyl substances are a widespread pollutant with increased exposure near military sites, recent wildfire zones, and in some agricultural fertilizers. These are the major routes of exposure, but there are many more that have a large impact on Idahoans in an invisible way. The before listed routes often lead to contaminated water sources, which in turn harm the population and wildlife. By developing more efficient methods of removal, the exposure to these harmful chemicals can hopefully be diminished and reduce the risk to the public health from these toxic chemicals.