UROP Research Mentor Project Submission Portal: Submission #871

Research Mentor Information
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Primary Research Mentor Name: Kimberley Christopher
Research Mentor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
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Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): kmc23@fsu.edu
Position Title: Graduate Student
Faculty Advisor Name: Igor Alabugin
Faculty Advisor's FSU Email: alabugin@chem.fsu.edu
FSU College (if applicable): Arts and Sciences
FSU Department or Non-FSU Organization Affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Headshot (optional): https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_project_proposal_portal/14981/Kimberley%20Christopher%20Photo%20Bio.jpg

Additional Research Mentor(s)
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Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from above): {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Research Assistant Supervisor Preferred Honorific?: {Empty}
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): {Empty}
Name of Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) (if applicable): Bruce Locke
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Pronouns: {Empty}
Other Faculty/Collaborator(s) Preferred Honorific?: Dr.
Contact Email (FSU Email if affiliated): locke@eng.famu.fsu.edu

Overall Project Details
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Title of the Project: Computational Investigation of the Degradation of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Nonthermal Plasma
Project Keywords: computational chemistry, perfluoroalkyl substances, perfluorosulfonic acids, perfluorocarboxlic acids, and nonthermal plasma
Are you currently looking for research assistants?: No
Number of Research Assistants Needed : 2
Relevant Research Assistant Major(s):
Chemistry 
Chemical Engineering
Computer Science

Project Location:: On FSU Main Campus
If the project location is off campus, does the research assistant(s) need to provide their own transportation?: Yes
Please select the choice that most accurately describes your expectations for the research assistant(s):: In-person
Approximately how many hours a week would the research assistant(s) need to work?: 5-10
Roughly what time frame do you expect research assistant(s) to work?: Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Overall Research Project Description:
Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse set of compounds that are toxic at low concentrations, ubiquitous in the environment, and especially difficult to degrade due to their inherently strong carbon-fluorine bonds. Many methods to degrade PFAS are currently being investigated and nonthermal plasma, which produces several reactive intermediates, has proven successful. Mechanistically, there are many competing theories for the degradation of different classes of PFAS; however, no consensus has been reached about the exact degradation pathway.  Experimentally, it is difficult to deduce the mechanism of degradation as the concentration of PFAS in wastewater treatment may be well below detection limits of analytical equipment. Computations, therefore, are an invaluable tool to study the degradation of PFAS from a thermodynamic point of view. In this study, we will, for the first time, conduct a systemic computational analysis from a Physical Organic Chemistry perspective to understand how PFAS are degraded in nonthermal plasma. We will investigate how chemical structure affects reactivity, what role reactive intermediates play in PFAS degradation, and we will quantitatively evaluate various degradation mechanisms utilizing a variety of methods from the field of Computational Chemistry. 

Research Tasks:
Literature Review
Computational Experiments
Data Analysis
Writing Reports


Skills that research assistant(s) may need::
Prior coding experience is recommended


Mentoring Philosophy:
As a mentor, my primary goal is to cultivate an environment that enables the mentee to be curious and acquire the skills they need to be successful and independent in their future careers. I will foster a collaborative environment by being available and encouraging mentees to share ideas and test theories. Periodically, I will check in to see when the mentee needs assistance. Additionally, I will guide the mentee and support them by exposing them to new opportunities. I expect my mentees to be honest and verbalize their expectations and future plans to assist them to the best of my ability. My mentees should have a healthy does of curiosity and willingness to learn new things. I strive for my mentoring relationship to be collaborative and productive. 

Please provide a link to your publications, a video clip, or a website for your research project (if applicable):: https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Kimberley-Christopher-2258346553
Please add any additional information here (if applicable)::
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Are you interested in participating in the UROP Research Mentor Roundtable?: No
Roundtable times and Zoom links:
Tuesday, September 3rd 2-4pm 

UROP Program Elements
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Mentor Handbook, FAQs, and Communication: Yes
UROP Performance Evaluation: Yes
Materials Grant: Yes
UROP Poster Presentation: Yes
Faculty Advisor Confirmation: Yes

Are you interested in attending in a UROP Research Mentor Workshop Series?: Yes
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Year: 2024
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