Ten finalists competed in the 2024
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. But it was Chemistry's PhD student
Mindula Kaumadi Wijayahena who took the grand prize of $2,000 for her presentation
Breaking Bad Bonds: Will PFAS-munching Microbes Save Us? Her research aims to break down polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and eliminate the negative health consequences posed by these so-called "forever chemicals." By exploring environmentally friendly ways to break these chemicals down, she hopes to create a safer world by eliminating these substances from human blood, breast milk and so much more.