Former KY WV LSAMP Scholar and current BD Fellow, Ariel Robinson, Honored by Kentucky Water Resources Institute

On September 27, 2024, the Kentucky Water Resources Institute (KWRI) held its annual symposium, a state-wide event that brings together researchers, students, government officials, NGOs, and community members, all focused on addressing water-related challenges in Kentucky. This year, University of Kentucky Department of Civil Engineering PhD Candidate Ariel Robinson was honored with the award for most outstanding platform presenter, showcasing her dedication and expertise in communicating a complex and critical area of research for Kentucky. Ariel's presentation included scientific perspectives about the regulatory landscape of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a ubiquitous group of pollutants that pose urgent concern for Kentucky and the nation, especially in light of growing evidence about adverse health effects, multiple PFAS sources in the environment, and new 2024 federal drinking water standards. Ariel's perspectives on this pressing issue were nuanced, insightful, and contextualized for Kentucky stakeholders. Ariel is a trainee in the University of Kentucky Superfund Research Center and is a Lighthouse Beacon Foundation graduate fellow in the Pigman College of Engineering. Co-authors on Ariel's presentation included Angela Gutiérrez, Director of the Sustainability and Analytical Equipment Facility (SAEF), and Kelly G. Pennell, Professor, Earl Parker Robinson Chair of Sustainability and Environment, both of UK's Department of Civil Engineering.

Ariel was a KY WV LSAMP scholar as an undergrad and part of the inaugural Bridge to the Doctorate (BD) Fellows for the KY WV LSAMP.  You can read more about Ariel's accomplishments here.