Current Research

Extraction and Measurement of Environmental Pollutants

For the past several summers, my students and I have been examining new methods of extracting and measuring pollutants in the environment. We are particularly interested in applying the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry to create methods that emphasize safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Extraction methods we have explored include solid-phase extraction (SPE), solid-phase microextraction (SPME), liquid-liquid microextraction, and paper-based extraction. Extraction is typically followed by measurement with gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 

Research posters from recent summer work:

• 2024 - Optimizing deep eutectic solvents for the extraction of phthalates from aqueous solution

• 2023 - Green analytical chemistry principles applied to the extraction of endocrine disruptors from water 

• 2022 - Extraction of bisphenol-A in water samples using solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by GC-MS and HPLC analysis

• 2021 - Comparison of commercial and polymerized ionic liquid coatings in determining phthalate esters using solid-phase microextraction

• 2020 - Determination of phthalate esters in Minnesota water bodies using head space solid-phase microextraction

• 2018 - Polymerized ionic liquid coatings for solid-phase microextraction of short-chain fatty acids from aqueous solution

• 2017 - An investigation of polymerized ionic liquids for solid-phase microextraction of sunscreen agents from aqueous solution