News

Plastic containers can contain PFAS — and it’s getting into food

Author: Jessica Sieff

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are adding to their list of consumer products that contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a toxic class of fluorine compounds known as “forever chemicals.” In a new study published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters, fluorinated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic containers — used for household cleaners, pesticides, personal care products and, potentially, food packaging — tested positive for PFAS.

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ND/Purdue University Graduate Symposium

Author: Warren Family Center

The first annual ND/Purdue University Graduate Symposium in Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology was held from October 28-29, 2022 at the Morris Inn at the University of Notre Dame. This was a two-day student-organized symposium that will rotate annually between participating schools. The graduate students from the host university organized and moderated the entire meeting. The event brought together ~150 graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty members in the field of medicinal chemistry and drug discovery from the two universities. This event allowed students the opportunity to present their research to both peers and experienced researchers. Friday night included dinner and a presentation by keynote speaker, Dr. Dale Boger, from The Scripps Research Institute. Friday night concluded with a poster session presented by 30 graduate students and post-doctoral from two universities. Saturday events included a continental breakfast followed by eight oral presentations from both graduate students and post-doctoral fellows. Organizers from the University of Notre Dame were Hao Xu from the Blagg Lab and Amy Sorge from the Melander Lab. The event will be held next year at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.  Below are the poster session and oral presentation winners.…

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Graduate Student Ornella Joseph Speaks about Lead Test Kits for Walk the Walk Week

Author: Rebecca Hicks

Ornella Joseph, a fourth-year chemistry graduate student in the lab of Marya Lieberman, was a highlighted speaker at the “Research That Matters: Scholarship Advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion” event on January 23, 2023. This event was part of Walk the Walk Week, a week-long series of events coinciding with Martin Luther King, Jr., Day.

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Notre Dame-Purdue Symposium building soft matter and polymer community

Author: Heidi Deethardt

Eight students were recognized for presentation of their research during the poster session at the 7th annual Notre Dame-Purdue Soft Matter and Polymers Symposium. The event was held in Jordan Hall of Science on October 29. This collaborative event is held annually to discuss joint research interests and accomplishments in areas surrounding soft matter and polymers.…

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