Research Symposium

BIO

I am a mechanical engineering undergraduate at Florida State University with broad interests spanning robotics, space systems, and biomedical engineering. My current work within FSU's iGEM program focuses on developing a gut-based remediation framework targeting phthalate exposure, applying synthetic biology principles to a pressing public health challenge. Outside of iGEM, I lead a robotic hand design project and am pursuing independent research in neural interface technology. My long-term goals center on applying engineering to problems that directly impact people, with aspirations toward graduate study and a career in robotics, human-machine systems, or space exploration.

Targeting Phthalate Exposure: A Synthetic Biology Framework

Abstract

Phthalates were engineered for versatility. Polymer chemists use these esters as plasticizers to increase the flexibility, transparency, and longevity of various plastics, primarily Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Unlike the covalent bonds in the polymer backbone, phthalates are physically entrained within the plastic matrix, allowing them to leach out via volatilization, migration, and abrasion. This mobility results in ubiquitous environmental distribution and continuous human exposure through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. The 2026 FSU iGEM team is investigating the broader class of phthalate esters by identifying leaching mechanisms from consumer products and their collective role as endocrine disruptors. While our project evaluates the specific lifecycle of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), we focus on the biochemical interference of multiple phthalate congeners with human hormonal signaling and quantifying the physiological risks associated with chronic, cumulative phthalate exposure.

Keywords: Phthalates, Bioremediation, Endocrine, Detoxification