Project Description

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥�, are omnipresent environmental contaminants that are highly toxic to invertebrates, wildlife, and humans. These fluorinated aliphatic compounds have been used in a variety of industrial applications and consumer products since the early 1950s and are resistant to environmental degradation due to their strong carbon-fluorine bond. Worldwide and toxicologic studies investing PFAS have revealed that these chemicals cause developmental delays, endocrine disruption, reproductive harm, and immunological effects in vertebrates. PFAS primarily enter the environment through the discharge of contaminated wastewater from industrial facilities and from the use of aqueous fire-fighting foams. From there, PFAS enter aquatic ecosystems where they are readily absorbed by both vertebrates and invertebrates following oral exposure. The overall objective of this work is to determine the effect PFAS exposure has on the fitness and development of mosquitoes. 

Research Requirements

This project is actively recruiting highly motivated undergraduate students (primarily freshman, sophomores, and juniors) to work in the laboratory.
Students will need to be willing to dedicate 10 hours a week, for two semesters (including one summer).
Research opportunities include both field and laboratory work.

Interested students should contact Dr. Haddow and provide:
  1. A brief summary of why they would like to join the laboratory
  2. An unofficial transcript
  3. A current resume
Student Outcomes
  1. Define the terminology associated with research and theory in their field
  2. Describe past research studies in their field of study
  3. Locate primary and secondary sources related to their field of study
  4. Develop a hypothesis
  5.  Collect data for a research study
  6. Analyze, synthesize, organize, and interpret data from their research study
  7. Work effectively as part of a team
  8. Develop time management
  9. Develop self-confidence/self-esteem
  10. Develop independent thinking
  11. Develop problem-solving
  12. Develop organizational skills
  13. Develop leadership skills 
Student Weekly Duties
  1. Complete KSU safety training needed to conduct laboratory activities, including but not limited to General Lab Safety, Compressed Cylinder Safety, and Biological Hazards and Autoclave Safety
  2. Aid graduate students in areas of their research projects, including literature searches, experimental design, data collection, and data analysis
  3. Maintain colonies of mosquitoes by providing sucrose to adult mosquitoes, blood-feeding female mosquitoes, collecting and storing mosquito eggs, hatching eggs, and rearing larvae to adults
  4. Conduct occasional field work to collect wild adult and larval mosquitoes
  5. Identify wild-caught mosquitoes to genus and species
  6. Pin wild-caught mosquitoes for future use
  7. Assistance with the maintenance and cleaning of laboratory facilities
  8. Attend laboratory meetings 

Duration

Starting February 2025 (at least two semesters and one summer) 

Contact

Dr. Andrew Haddow, ahaddow@kennesaw.edu

More Information:

Laboratory Webpage: