June 2022: Rebecca Dickman

Rebecca Dickman, 5th year PhD student in Prof. Aga's group

• Recipient of the KC Donnelly Externship Award from the National Institute of Environmental Health 2022
  
• Dickman, R. A.; Aga, D. S., Efficient workflow for suspect screening analysis to characterize novel and legacy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2022, 414, (15), 4497-4507. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-022-04088-2
  
• Dickman, R. A.; Aga, D. S., A Review of Recent Studies on Toxicity, Sequestration, and Degradation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Journal of Hazardous Materials 2022, 129120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129120
  

My current research involves developing new techniques for suspect screening and non-target analysis for contaminants of emerging concern, specifically focusing on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This analysis is primarily done in wastewater and biosolids in order to understand mass flows of PFAS within treatment facilities, as well as identification and quantification of unknown PFAS contaminants.

The opportunity to start a research topic with little background knowledge and growing with the research to become an expert in that field is my favorite aspect of being a graduate student. Looking back on my early research, it is fulfilling to see how far I have grown as a chemist. I hope to continue to grow across other applications and research focuses in order to provide clean water and environmental conditions to the public.

Outside of lab, I enjoy being active by going skiing, hiking, and on camping trips. I also love to enjoy my free time relaxing by baking, watching Jeopardy, and spending time with my dog, Lucy.