Doctoral Student Advances Efforts for Clean Water

Geshan Zhang is a fifth-year doctoral student in environmental science. Her latest work on the deconstruction of water toxin, cylindrospermopsin (CYN), was selected for the Graduate Student Paper Award and will be presented this week at the 248th American Chemical Society National Meeting in San Francisco, California.

This competitive award is given to the highest quality paper, decided by an award committee. Those eligible for the award must be full-time graduate students (M.S. or PhD) with one year of graduate study completed.

Geshan’s area of focus is the photocatalytic destruction of emerging organic pollutants in water. In other words, she uses light to activate a catalyst which breaks down harmful toxins found in water. The UV activated catalyst works to change the make-up of molecules by creating free radicals. By changing the composition, the toxin can be neutralized.

Cylindrospermopsin (CYN), as one of the cyanotoxins, was first discovered in 1979 in Palm Island, Queensland, Australia after an outbreak of sickness. Algae containing the pollutant sent 138 inhabitants to the hospital. Those hospitalized were children who reported symptoms similar to severe food poisoning.

Since its discovery, other species of CYN have been identified in Australia, causing authorities to cut off drinking water access. Cyanotoxin, along with other water pollutants vastly diminish clean water supplies in areas of the world where it is most needed.

Geshan’s research as she explains, “will enrich the information for CYN treatment, laying the foundation for further regulation.” Her work is fundamental and supports the application of photocatalytic treatment technology.

Geshan Zhang says, “I am really excited about this award- it encourages me for future research.”

Geshan’s works in cleaning waterways will impact individuals all over the world. The College of Engineering and Applied is the proud home of this world changer who is excited to continue research after this esteemed recognition.