New microplastics research hub aims to unravel health impact in changing climate
A new Rochester-based research center will study the lifecycle of microplastics, including its origin as plastic waste, distribution, and movement in the Great Lakes freshwater ecosystem. The research will also focus on how climate change could intensify the environmental and health threats posed by microplastics.
The Lake Ontario Center for Microplastics and Human Health in a Changing Environment is a collaboration between Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester, and supported by a $7.3 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the federal Oceans and Human Health program.
“This funding gives us the opportunity to bring together environmental and health sciences researchers to tackle a truly global crisis”, said Christy Tyler, professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences at RIT and co-director of the center with Katrina Korfmacher, a professor of Environmental Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). “We plan to combine research on the quantity and characteristics of plastic in the places where people are most likely to encounter it, with research on how these particles impact our health. And as a result, we’ll be able to come up with a more holistic understanding of the potential harm of plastic pollution, and how we can develop targeted strategies to minimize it.”
Microplastics, particles less than 5 mm in size, are produced from plastic waste, which over time is broken down into microscopic fragments that move easily through the food chain. Common sources of plastic pollution include food wrappers, plastic bottles, plastic bottle caps, plastic bags, plastic straws, cigarette butts, tire-wear particles, and synthetic clothing. Plastic waste enters the environment via urban stormwater and agricultural runoff, and wastewater. Microplastics are ubiquitous, frequently difficult to detect and mitigate, and research has found the particles in human blood, heart, liver, and lung tissue, placenta, and breast milk. However, little is known about their long-term impact on human health.
Provided
Christy Tyler conducts research on microplastics in Lake Ontario. She is a co-director of the newly announced Lake Ontario Center for Microplastics and Human Health in a Changing Environment.
The Great Lakes hold more than 20 percent of global surface freshwater and are a source of drinking water, irrigation, fisheries, and recreation for more than 30 million people. While progress has been made in recent decades to improve the environmental health of the lakes, these gains are threatened by rising plastic pollution.
The new center will undertake research projects that aim to understand how environmental changes may affect the movement and characteristics of microplastics in Lake Ontario, how microplastics interact with other contaminants, and the impact on inflammation and immune response in model biological systems. The goal is to develop and promote solutions that inform future research, community actions, and policy changes that will lessen the health effects associated with microplastics.
One project builds on several years of collaborative work at RIT to understanding the input, transport, and ecological risk of plastic pollution in the Lake Ontario basin. The interdisciplinary team, which will be led by Tyler, and includes Matthew Hoffman, professor in the School of Mathematics and Statistics; Nathan Eddingsaas, associate professor in the School of Chemistry and Materials Science; Steven Day, professor and head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering; and André Hudson, professor and dean, College of Science. They will examine how climate-related factors, namely warmer weather and more severe storms, will increase the delivery of post-consumer plastic to Lake Ontario.
Tyler, Hoffman, and a group of other RIT scientists have been working with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration funding to lead interdisciplinary projects examining plastic waste entering the Great Lakes, and how to prevent and remove it. RIT’s collaborations with the Rochester Museum and Science Center, Seneca Park Zoo, Monroe County, the city of Rochester, and other local institutions continue to provide a joint effort in combating environmental concerns.
A project by the University of Rochester will employ nanomembrane technologies to identify ultrafine microplastics in the water and air that can be more easily ingested into blood and tissue. Another will use frogs as models to study how waterborne microplastics enter, move about, and accumulate in the body at different water temperatures anticipated due to global warming. All research projects will be supported by a materials core led by University of Rochester with participation by Iris Rivero, a professor of industrial and systems engineering at RIT. The center will also engage with community partners through involving residents in efforts to monitor debris flows, and developing, evaluating, and disseminating outreach materials for audiences including youth, educators, community groups, and policy makers in both urban and rural settings.
“This partnership between universities shows how local researchers can work together to address questions of global significance,” said Ryne Raffaelle, vice president for Research at RIT. “How microplastics, combined with climate change, impact the ways in which we live and overall human health is something we need to investigate. This new center will be key to understanding, and hopefully mitigating, the convolution of these environmental impacts and their potential deleterious effects.”
Funding for the center was provided by NIEHS award number P01 ES035526 and NSF award number OCE-2418255.
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- Veteran Student Success lounge dedicatedAn important space for RIT students who are military-affiliated, veterans, and their families, now has a name and a refresh thanks to benefactors who want to support members of the U.S. armed forces. The William A. and Laurel A. Eckholm Veterans Lounge at the office of Veteran Student Success was dedicated Friday, attended by the couple, who traveled to Rochester from their home in Arizona. The space, above Global Village, has undergone a complete facelift, with new paint and carpeting, new furniture, a refrigerator, coffee pot, popcorn machine, microwave, a television, and two computers for students to use. More importantly, it’s a haven where student veterans may find resources, a peer to talk with, or just a safe place to unwind. In the past year, it has seen a 75 percent increase in office use and event attendance. “When I found out that RIT was seeking funding to renovate the veteran’s lounge and for student military-related support, I thought, ‘How could I say no?’” Bill Eckholm said. “My wife and I wanted to give back to RIT in return for what I learned about becoming a businessman. The biggest gift we could ever ask for is seeing students succeed. There’s enormous satisfaction in finding success, and I want to help students reach for the stars.” Chad Van Gorder, director for RIT’s Veteran Student Success, said the Eckholms’ gift has made a tremendous impact for support for veteran-affiliated students. “Their generosity has created a space for veterans to connect with fellow students, a safe space for students to be themselves, a collaborative space to do the work required for their degree programs, and a place to connect with staff members who are able to assist them in areas of academic, professional, and personal growth as they transition from military service, into college, and on to their next journey in life,” Van Gorder said. In addition, some of the students may also receive financial support as part of the gift. Eckholm, originally from Chicago, was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War. After the war, he lived in Rochester and got a job that supplied products to electrical engineers and contractors. In 1976 and 1977, he took night classes at RIT to learn effective business management and strategic marketing skills. “I was running a business at the time, and I needed (practical) training on how to run a business, and it was suggested that I go to RIT night school, and I did,” Eckholm said at the dedication. “And they delivered.” He said he never had any intention of getting a degree from RIT and left to pursue his own successful businesses. He started a fire protection equipment business, sold it, and ran a worldwide fire protection and suppression agency. He holds numerous patents for developing life-saving fire suppression mechanisms in law enforcement cars and military vehicles. He also volunteers, most notably as a board member for Childhelp, a national charity that works to fight child abuse, and he is a staunch supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His donation wasn’t the only reconnection with RIT. On Friday, just prior to the dedication, Eckholm received his associate degree in applied arts and sciences through the Completer Program at RIT’s School of Individualized Study. The Eckholms said they are happy to help RIT’s students, particularly veterans. “There are two things in the world I have a great deal of time for: children’s charities and veterans,” Eckholm said. “When I learned it was for a veterans’ lounge, and that it was really needed, that sold it. We’re just honored to be able to do our little piece.” He handed out collectable Challenge Coins to all of the veterans in attendance as a keepsake. “Anyone who is not a veteran, there’s a thing that’s called “Peace through Power,” he said. “And veterans are the power. And every one of you who served, you are the power. And that’s why we’re able to enjoy the lifestyle we have today.”
- Celebrating Filipino artists in AustinTo help draw attention to the thriving Filipino community in Austin, Texas, Joi Conti ’11 (photographic illustration) created a new magazine guide called TAYO NA: Austin Filipino Artists & Makers Guide in October 2023. As a professional editorial and commercial photographer, Conti wanted to use her skills to promote other Filipino artisans and makers in Austin. She shared that promotional support like this can be invaluable, particularly for those who are still growing their businesses. “I want people to know there is a vibrant Filipino community in Austin, and to make it easier for people to patron these awesome artists and makers,” said Conti. “The guide is really a way for me to feature my fellow Filipino artists and makers. I want them to succeed because that’s something that’s really close to my heart.” Conti shared that her biggest takeaway from the project was the value of community connections. She said TAYO NA couldn’t have come together without leaning into and growing those connections. “I met a soap maker named Emlyn and she was the one who opened up the door for me to meet more Filipino artists and makers, which really helped to get my mind going on this project,” said Conti. “And when I started contacting people for the magazine, they kept giving me names of other artists and makers who I could include and it grew from there.” Conti anticipates publishing a second issue of TAYO NA in October 2024, and the first issue is currently available online and in print. The 2023 issue was created, in part, through funding from the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Conti and her team are currently seeking sponsorship for the second issue.
- Attorney finds her home in real estate lawAs a child, Shakierah Smith ’18 (criminal justice and communication), ’19 MS (criminal justice) loved spending time with her grandmother watching Law & Order. She recalls feeling inspired as she watched the fictional attorneys advocating for their clients. “They were so smart and eloquent. You could tell that they knew their stuff and were passionate about seeking justice. I found that profound at a young age, and intriguing,” said Smith. “I didn’t know exactly who I was going to become, but I thought maybe I could be a criminal prosecutor.” Today—after passing the New York state bar exam on her first try—Smith is a real estate associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, a law firm in New York City known nationally for its prestigious real estate practice group. While she didn’t follow the exact path of the attorneys that inspired her, Smith found her niche in property law while pursuing her Juris Doctor at University at Buffalo School of Law, where she graduated in 2022. Smith shared that her success in law school and beyond was thanks, in part, to her support system and positive experiences at RIT. “Things may have turned out differently for me if I went to another university. I really felt welcomed at RIT, and I felt supported,” said Smith. “There was a point when I was ready to drop out of law school, but I got on a three-way call with RIT professors O. Nicholas Robertson and John McCluskey and we talked through it. They said they would support me either way, but they encouraged me to keep going, and I did.” Her support system reminded Smith that she had the tools to succeed in her back pocket. She said her research with RIT’s Center for Public Safety Initiatives was one of the most valuable experiences from her time at the university. “Prior to that, I really hadn’t done any research. So they walked me through the process and sharpened all of those important skills I ended up utilizing in law school,” said Smith. “My research experience and the relationships I developed with my professors in the criminal justice and communication programs really set me up to be successful.” Smith is currently writing a book, scheduled to publish in early 2025, that shares her journey to becoming a lawyer. As she reflected on that journey, and looks toward her ultimate goal of becoming a judge, she offered valuable advice for students looking to find their own place in the world. “One of my biggest struggles throughout my academic career was being my own worst enemy,” said Smith. “It may seem tough sometimes, and you may question yourself and your capabilities, but I promise it’s going to pass. Once you’re at commencement and you’re walking across the stage, and you’re celebrating with your family and your professors, you’re going to see it was all worth it and that moment of doubt was just a hiccup in your story.”
- RIT to hold inaugural Latinx graduationRIT will host its first Latinx graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 5, at 1 p.m. in the SHED. The event is a chance to honor and celebrate graduating Latinx students and is organized by RIT’s Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). “The celebration itself is really about recognizing the support of families and the challenges they’ve overcome,” said event chair Nayely Gonzales, a fourth-year mechanical engineering student. “We want to make sure that everyone feels included. It’s going to be wonderful to see our RIT Latin presence.” The ceremony will take place in the SHED’s Glass Box Theater followed by food, dancing, and performances in the atrium. The event will be bilingual, making it more welcoming to guests who aren’t as comfortable with the English language. SHPE president Carola Vasquez, a mechanical engineering graduate student, recognizes how difficult it can be as a Hispanic woman in a STEM field, and feels as if she always has to prove herself and proves that she belongs. “I tend to overlook and underestimate my achievement and my potential,” said Vasquez. “Having this Latinx graduation and knowing I have a lot of people who support me and believe in me, it feels really great.” SHPE has a Linktree site for more information and ways to get involved with the inaugural Latinx graduation, including how to donate to help the event grow in future years. Both Gonzales and Vasquez were thankful for the dedication of the event committee and the support from around campus. “It’s wonderful to see students take the steps to honor their peers for their accomplishments in terms of pursuing and completing a degree at RIT,” said Keith Jenkins, vice president and associate provost for Diversity and Inclusion. “It’s very special to have students recognize each other.”
- Students discover research opportunities on the path to graduationMany RIT students are discovering research opportunities on the path to a diploma. For everyone from first years to master’s students, these independent projects can help cultivate critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Whether it’s late nights spent in a RIT lab or a field study in the mountains, research experiences can be a cutting-edge way for students to prepare for the future. “Research adds value to an undergraduate education and denotes a healthy university,” said Ryne Raffaelle, RIT vice president for Research and associate provost. “Many RIT undergraduates conduct independent research on the level normally experienced in graduate school, and that gives them an edge over peers from other universities.” Read about two 2024 graduates who have found success in research. Freedom to experimentOlivia Schlichtkrull Andres Orio Gonzalez, a 2024 physics graduate. During one of his earliest research experiences, Andres Orio Gonzalez was surprised by how hands off his mentor was initially. Now, graduating with a degree in physics, he is glad that he got to experiment. “My mentor explained that if she was looking over my shoulder the whole time, then I wouldn’t have been brave enough to make those mistakes that helped me learn,” said Gonzalez, who is from Erie, Pa. At RIT, Gonzalez joined the Inclusive Excellence Research Fellowship program, which is aimed at helping minority students get research experience. He was paired with Shima Parsa, assistant professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy, where he researched how polymer retention affects the transport properties of porous media. Through connections at RIT, Gonzalez sought out several ways to fund his undergraduate research experiences, including the federally funded McNair Scholars program, the New York State-funded Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), and the NSF-funded Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) program. One summer, he also took part an NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program studying nuclear physics at Duke University. “The most profound moment from that REU was sitting at a table where all are the physicists were Hispanic,” said Gonzalez. “We all feel this responsibility to break down walls and open the doors for younger generations of students like us.” At RIT, Gonzalez propelled to push for inclusivity in STEM research. He was founding president of the College of Science LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in Science advocacy group. While completing his capstone project, he found the field of medical physics and joined a University of Rochester Medical Center research project aimed at improving medical imaging. This fall, Gonzalez is going to UCLA to pursue a Ph.D. in the physics and biology in medicine program. “I see research as unsupervised work where I can mess up and tinker and think about these problems for a long time—and once it all comes together there is a moment where you feel a huge sense of accomplishment,” said Gonzalez. “You are the master of your own work in research.” Expect the unexpected Research experiences have taken Margaret Gray, right, a 2024 data science master’s graduate, across campus and across the continent. In 2019, she travelled to the Wrangell Mountains of Alaska to take part in climate-oriented field studies. Doing research has allowed Margaret Gray to be a hands-on learner. “There is a real benefit to being able to see the things I’m studying in class actually implemented in the real world,” said Gray, who is a 2024 graduate from the data science master’s degree program. She also completed an applied arts and sciences undergraduate degree from RIT in 2022. Gray started doing research in high school, analyzing the change of frequency of the 35delG deafness gene in the U.S. population over time. She conducted the research with Gallaudet University, near her hometown of Silver Spring, Md. “It was cool being able to propose a question and then figure out how I can possibly approach figuring it out,” said Gray. “It was also something I’m passionate about, being a deaf person myself.” As an undergraduate, Gray worked with the NTID Deaf Health Lab investigating the link between hearing status and executive function as measured through the color trails test. She also ventured off campus, finding a field research program with Evergreen State College (Washington). She spent several weeks collecting profiles of more than 40 stream channels in the Wrangell Mountains of Alaska, helping gather data for future glacial research. “I’ve learned that research can be messy and you don’t always get the data you are expecting,” said Gray. “You learn how to handle it when something unexpected happens, which can lead to finding new and interesting things.” As a graduate student, Gray has continued to be an active researcher. She was an NSF-funded trainee with the AWARE-AI program, running studies to investigate differences in trust levels between hearing and deaf/hard-of-hearing adults when working with manufacturing robots. Her artificial intelligence work tied in nicely with an internship at Excellus BCBS, where she incorporated AI and large language models to expedite the prior authorization process in healthcare. In the future, she hopes to work as a data scientist in healthcare, doing projects that help her Deaf community.
- Scientist’s RIT experience leads to career in revolutionary gene therapy researchFrom an early age, Allison Keeler ’05 (biotechnology) always knew she wanted to be a scientist. As an adult, that dream has come true as she is an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Chan Medical School and the lead researcher in the Keeler Lab within the Horae Gene Therapy Center. Keeler applied early to RIT, out of her high school in eastern Pennsylvania. After visiting the campus and learning the university had one of the few biotechnology programs available, she knew getting hands-on experience in research at RIT was the best path for her future. Keeler earned her bachelor’s degree in three years and was able to take advantage of a trip to the Galápagos Islands, where she realized she wanted to become an academic and a professor. After a research position at Duke University, she earned her Ph.D. in biomedical sciences from the UMass Medical School, where she now works. Mentoring and teaching in a lab environment has become her passion. “Basics that I learned at RIT and each of my experiences have shaped where I am now and what I’m really passionate about,” said Keeler. Her background has led her to one of the most revolutionary medical fields today: gene therapy. This technology approaches disease differently, by attempting to change genetic makeups to prevent and treat disease instead of traditional treatments like medication and surgery. In her lab, Keeler is learning about and understanding immune responses to gene therapy and engineering and developing new novel gene therapies for the treatment of different diseases. The field is progressing rapidly. When she was a graduate student, there were no approved therapies. Now, there are many, with more being approved every year. “It’s been really interesting to watch the field evolve,” said Keeler. “It’s an exciting time in this field because several gene therapies have recently been approved.” The scientific area is familiar to the dean of RIT’s College of Science, André Hudson, who is repeatedly sought out as an expert in biochemistry and microbiology. His research interests are closely related to Keeler’s, as both are excited about the future of science as it relates to the human body and disease. “The work by Dr. Keeler and colleagues in this space is at the forefront of science and medicine,” said Hudson. “I am heartened that one of our College of Science alumni is helping to lead the charge.” Keeler never envisioned she would be running her own gene therapy lab when she stepped on RIT’s campus as a biotechnology major. But as science grows and evolves, more and more possibilities for careers in science exist. She encourages students to keep their minds open and to explore all opportunities. “I didn’t even know about gene therapy when I was at RIT,” said Keeler. “But science continues to expand. Keep being curious, keep asking questions.”