People

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Yudi Wu has been an Assistant Professor at Florida Polytechnic University since 2023. She teaches several core undergraduate courses and is heavily engaged in research. Together with her students and colleagues, she has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in leading technical journals. 

Her group has been presented at both national conferences and local technical seminars such as American Chemistry Society, Soil Science Society of America, and Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors. Her primary research interests focus on the fate and transport of contaminants, solid waste management, soil nutrient management, and surface characterization and modification. Her research integrates advanced treatment technologies and sustainable practices to address critical environmental issues related to soil and water pollution, resource recovery, and nutrient management.

Anusha completed her master's degree in Civil Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Engineering from University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has been working on PFAS removal since 2023 using modified biochar adsorbents. She is working here on a few projects on PFAS and leachate treatment from landfill waste, running different experiments related to batch and column adsorption—moreover, some tasks related to wastewater quality testing.

Mara earned her Bachelor’s in Environmental Engineering from Polytechnic University in May 2025. Her research focuses on PFAS remediation, using biochar and surfactants to address persistent contaminants in wastewater systems. Our research explores a range of approaches, including batch and column adsorption tests, surface tension measurements, foam fractionation, and modified treatment techniques, to better understand how to treat PFAS and leachate effectively. It’s hands-on work that’s both challenging and rewarding. In her spare time, she likes to be outdoors enjoying nature and spending time with my fur babies.

Hello my name is Kade Robinson, I am Junior studying Civil Engineering at Florida Polytenchnic University. I am from Lakeland, Florida and I am interested in working in Waste Water Design Systems post university. So far I have learned about the properties of adsorbtion and and different ways we can change the surface area of organic matter for it to be able to adsorb as much harmful chemicals from the provided water samples. 

Je'Shawn Williams is a sophomore in Civil Engineering at Florida Polytechnic University. He is currently working as a research assistant. A few projects he assists in involve collecting yard waste to produce biochar, LEAF testing to find carbon/nitrogen content, and acid-washing sample biosolids. His hobbies are drawing, reading, and creating poetry. He hopes to learn more about chemical compositions and their interaction with various environments and elements. 

Judah Hudson is a sophomore at Florida Polytechnic studying Civil Engineering.He is currently working as a Student Research Assistant in the lab under Dr. Wu.

Liana Nazario is a sophomore in Environmental Engineering. She am passionate about my studies and have experience working with biochar and executing sequential extraction with the group! A couple of hobbies she has are swimming and exploring new places!

Presentation:

Dessureault, L., McConnell, Sidney., Nazario, L., Wu, Y., 2024, Recovering Valuable Resources via Hydrothermal Reaction: Effect of Speciation and Composition of Phosphorus Mining Wastes., AEESP Distinguished Lecture Event, University of Florida, FL, September 2024 (Poster presentation)

Alise Darsch, Liana Nazario, Sidney McConnell, Marlon Nunez Ramirez, Yudi Wu, and Malak Anshassi*, Using Biochar from Landfill to Landfill: Assessing Beneficial Use of Local-Produced Biochar, Florida Polytechnic University Research Day, FL, 2025, (Poster presentation, 3st place certificate of civil and environmental engineering department)