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.
Research Scientists:
Anusha Imran
June 2025 - Present
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 Wallace
June 2025 - Present
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.
Undergraduate Research Assistant:
Kade Robinson
May 2025 - Present
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
May 2025 - Present
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
May 2025 - Present
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.
Sidney McConnell
May 2024 - Present
Sidney McConnell is a junior in Mechanical Engineering at Florida Polytechnic University. Currently, she is working as a research assistant and orientational leader. A project she is working on is an optical tensiometer to measure the surface tension of water, with past projects including an all-paper bright and fabricating a floating arm trebuchet. Her hobbies consist of reading books and enjoying martial arts.
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)
Sidney McConnell, Daren Watson, Freddy Zeas, Sebastian Anzola, and Yudi Wu*, Assess Surface Tension of Mixture of Surfactants and Perfluoroalkyl Substance via High-Speed Videography, Florida Polytechnic University Research Day, FL, 2025, (Poster presentation, 1st place of civil and environmental engineering department)
Liana Nazario
May 2024 - Present
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)
Previous research assistants:
Alise Darsch graduated from Florida Polytechnic University in 2025. She worked in the lab from August 2023 to May 2025.During her stay, she successfully completed several poster presentations at local and national conferences, and she won a 3st place certificate at first Research Day at Florida Poly for her research work. She will join USF graduate program in August 2025. Congrats, Alise!
Leith Dessureault is currently a junior in Mechanical Engineering at Florida Polytechnic University. He worked in the lab from May 2024 to May 2025. During his stay, he finished two poster presentations and won a 3st place certificate at first Research Day at Florida Poly.
Joy Giangrosso is currently a sophomore in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on Operations Research. She worked in the lab from Feburarary 2025 to May 2025.