Author Archive
Researchers Find Biochar Reduces Microplastic Pollution in Agricultural Runoff by More than 92%
Boluwatife Olubusoye, a doctoral student in chemistry, places bags of biochar, or specially heated biowaste, at the head of a runoff tunnel. Olubusoye and a team of Ole Miss and USDA researchers found that biochar can filter more than 92% of microplastics from runoff water. Submitted photo
Using treated plant waste as a filter reduced the presence of harmful microplastics in agricultural runoff by more than 92%, according to a new study authored by a University of Mississippi research team.
Microplastics – tiny plastic particles that are smaller than 5 millimeters – have been found in every ocean on earth, in food, water, and recently, in farmlands. An Ole Miss-led research group has published proof-of-concept data that shows biochar to be a cost friendly and effective method of filtering microplastics from overland water runoff.
Biochar is a type of charcoal made from plant material that has been heated or burned in an oxygen-limited environment.
Boluwatife Olubusoye, a doctoral student in chemistry, collects a sample of agricultural runoff water in the Mississippi Delta. Submitted photo
“Microplastics in the environment stem in part from the degradation of larger plastic by natural physical, chemical and biological processes,” said James Cizdziel, professor and interim chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
“They pose an enormous challenge as they are widespread, persistent and can accumulate in plants and wildlife, leading to detrimental effects on certain organisms and, potentially, on humans who consume them.”
Microplastics have been found in humans and the part of human brains responsible for smell. Though scientists don’t yet know the effects of microplastics on the human body, many studies show that the plastics negatively affect fish and animals that ingest them.
Microplastics in agriculture come from two primary sources, said Boluwatife Olubusoye, an Ole Miss doctoral student in chemistry and an author of the study. Sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants, which is used as a fertilizer, and plastic mulch and row covers, which insulate plants and promote growth, both bring measurable amounts of microplastics to agricultural areas.
“When these plastic sheets break down in the field, they become very tiny and that’s how you get microplastics in the agricultural fields,” the Lagos, Nigeria, native said. “What happens is that when there is a heavy rainfall, there will be a wash of this agricultural field, which can lead to agricultural runoff.
“And this runoff can transport microplastics, and other pollutants, from the farm into aquatic environments – such as rivers, lakes and oceans – where microplastics can pose threats to organisms like oysters and small fishes.”
Many animals, including humans, feed on such organisms, where the microplastics could be passed on.
Olubusoye and collaborators from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water Quality and Ecology Research Unit in Oxford traveled to a farm near Beasley Lake in the Mississippi Delta to collect agricultural runoff.
James Cizdziel
They tested the water for microplastics in Cizdziel’s microplastic research laboratory at Ole Miss, and passed the runoff through biochar to determine how effective it was at capturing the microplastics.
“We also observed that in addition to agricultural runoff, urban stormwater runoff is a prominent source of microplastics pollution,” Olubusoye said. “Our research is trying to reduce the influx of these contaminants from these runoff events into downstream water bodies.”
Using biochar reduced the amount of microplastics in samples of runoff by between 86.6% and 92.6%. Because of the success of the initial tests, the researchers are scaling up efforts to test biochar in the field.
The researchers will present their findings at three upcoming conferences, including:
- The University Council on Water Resources, National Institute of Water Resources and American Water Resources Association Conference
- The Mississippi Water Resources Conference
- The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
A microscopic look at biochar shows microplastic particles that were caught and removed from agricultural runoff in the Mississippi Delta. Submitted photo
“Our findings underscore the potential of biochar to be a cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of microplastics from runoff,” Cizdziel said. “As such, scaled-up field studies are underway and preliminary data show a marked decrease in microplastics, including tire wear particles, after the runoff passes through large filter socks filled with biochar.
“Our work could result in new agricultural and stormwater management practices to mitigate microplastic pollution stemming from farms and urban runoff in order to safeguard environmental and human health.”
This material is based on work supported by the National Science Foundation grant no. MRI-2116597 and the National Institutes of Health award no. P20GM103460.
OPEN POSITION: Assistant Professor of Chemistry (ANALYTICAL/PHYSICAL)
Position Description
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Mississippi, located in Oxford, Mississippi, invites applications for a tenure track faculty position at the ASSISTANT PROFESSOR level in the area of ANALYTICAL or PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY to begin in August 2025. Click Here to apply.
Individuals with expertise in any area of analytical or physical chemistry, including experimental or computational/theoretical chemistry and those complementing active research programs in the Department (e.g. astrochemistry, forensic chemistry, nanomaterials, chemical physics, energy, and environmental chemistry) are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Department has 19 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 9 teaching faculty, and a vibrant graduate Ph.D. program. A new $175M STEM education facility on campus has just opened that will foster interdisciplinary opportunities to fulfill our commitment to inclusive excellence in chemical education. Details of this facility can be found on the departmental website (chemistry.olemiss.edu).
The successful candidate is expected to establish a nationally recognized, externally funded research program; provide mentorship for graduate and undergraduate researchers; demonstrate excellence in teaching; and perform service to the department, college, university, and community (visitoxfordms.com)
Position Details
Appointment: 9 Month
Assignment Type: Tenure Track
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. and relevant experience beyond the Ph.D. in analytical or physical chemistry (broadly defined) or a closely related field.
Application Procedures
Review of applications will begin October 15th, 2024 and continue until an adequate applicant pool is established. Applications must be submitted online (careers.olemiss.edu) and should include a cover letter, a current CV, research plans, and a teaching philosophy statement.
Because the University of Mississippi and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry are committed to building an inclusive and diverse university community, applicants should specify within their application how their teaching, scholarship, and service will contribute to a diverse and inclusive community. During the online application process, applicants will be prompted to provide the names and email addresses of three professional references that will provide letters of recommendation.
About the University of MS & Oxford, MS
Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi (UM), affectionately known to alumni, students and friends as Ole Miss, is Mississippi’s flagship university. Included in the elite group of R-1: Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics and business. The University of Mississippi, consistently named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For,” is located in Oxford, MS, which is ranked one of the “Top 10 Best College Towns.” With more than 24,000 students, UM is the state’s largest university and is ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing institutions. The University of Mississippi, which has aggressively implemented many health and wellness initiatives for its more than 2,900 employees, has consistently been named one of Mississippi’s Healthiest Workplaces.
Touted as the “Cultural Mecca of the South”, creativity abounds in Oxford as musicians, artists and writers alike find inspiration in Oxford’s rich history, small town charm and creative community. Oxford is a one-hour drive south of Memphis, TN and is known as the home of Nobel Prize winning author William Faulkner. Over the years Oxford has also been known for offering exceptional culinary experiences and as the home of the University of Mississippi and the Ole Miss Rebels, there is always something here to immerse yourself in. Oxford has also been featured as a literary and arts destination in such publications as The New York Times, Southern Living, Condé Nast Traveler, and GQ. Among other cultural activities, annual events include the Oxford Film Festival, a thriving local music scene, and the Ford Center Performing Arts Series. Oxford is a vibrant university town, filled with unique shops and galleries, eclectic restaurants and clubs, historic landmarks, and comfortable inns.
Background Check Statement
The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.
EEO Statement
The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.
Department Welcomes Instructor Amy Lynn Rosen
Amy Lynn Rosen, Instructor
Amy Lynn Rosen will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry as an Instructor and the Associate Coordinator of Undergraduate Labs on August 1st. Ms. Rosen received her Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2001, a Masters of Science from Indiana University in 2003, and a Masters in Arts in Science Education from Columbia University Teachers College in 2004. She was a US Presidential Scholar Distinguished Teacher in 2021 and Outstanding Teacher of the Year for the Lafayette County Soil & Water Conservation District in 2023.
Her professional interests lie in chemistry education, development of curricular materials, inclusive practices in undergraduate education, training secondary science educators, and community outreach.
Department Welcomes Prof. Sujay Ray
Sujay Ray, Assistant Professor
Dr. Sujay Ray will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry on August 1st. Dr. Ray received his Bachelor of Science from Calcutta University, India, in 2007, a Masters of Science from Indian Institute of Technology, India, in 2009, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physics from Kent State University in 2015. He then served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan from 2015-2020 and Harvard University from 2020-2022, and then as a senior research assistant at the University of Michigan before joining the faculty at UM. His interests center around nucleic acid-protein interactions in the context of cellular stress responses, DNA/RNA- nano structures, molecular robotics, single molecule biophysics/biochemistry, fluorescence microscopy, and force spectroscopy.
His research group at the University of Mississippi will study how biological systems work at the nanoscale, focusing on cellular stress response. He will look at how certain structures made of DNA/RNA help cells manage resources and adapt to challenging stress conditions by prioritizing essential functions. He aims to understand how these complex DNA/RNA structures interact with different proteins to manage the demands of the cell. His goal is to clearly link between structural attributes and functional response and ultimately harness these insights for biotechnological innovations and clinical intervention. To accomplish this, he will develop and apply novel single-molecule manipulation and detection techniques, and nanoscale engineering. His research projects will combine approaches from a variety of disciplines including chemistry, physics, molecular biology, and engineering we collaborate with researchers from these various disciplines.
Department Welcomes Prof. Jinchao Lou
Jinchao Lou, Assistant Professor
Dr. Jinchao Lou will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry on August 1st. Dr. Lou received her Bachelor of Science from Northwest Normal University, China, in 2016, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from the University of Tennessee in 2022. She then served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Tennessee before joining the faculty at UM. Her interests center around bio-organic chemistry, chemical biology, nanomaterials, drug delivery, and synthetic organic chemistry.
The emerging fields of nanomedicine and biomaterials have the potential to significantly impact human health by improving the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases. However, despite significant attention and investment, the clinical adoption of nanoparticle-based therapeutic and imaging agents faces substantial biological, immunological, and translational challenges. Dr. Lou’s research group aims to address these critical challenges in nanomedicine and biomaterials by developing responsive materials that can effectively navigate complex biological environments through organic chemistry approaches. She strives to contribute significantly to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, ultimately improving human health and well-being. Dr. Lou’s research interests include 1) developing multi-stimuli-responsive peptide-based programmable materials to enhance the responsiveness and target specificity of nanomedicine; 2) creating short and ultrashort peptide small molecule materials that have the unique property of self-assembling in situ upon exposure to specific stimuli, thereby amplifying nanomedicine tissue penetration ability; and 3) developing chemical biology tools to better understand peptidoglycan synthesis in various bacteria cells, ultimately aiming to improve the efficacy of bacteria-targeted therapeutics.
Department Welcomes Prof. Abby Boyd
Abby Boyd, Assistant Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Dr. Abby Boyd will join the University of Mississippi Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry on August 1st. Dr. Boyd received her Bachelor of Science from Mercer University in 2017, a Masters of Science from Clemson University in 2021, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Clemson University in 2023. She then served as a Teaching Assistant Professor at the Colorado School of Mines before joining the faculty at UM. She was an NARST Early Career Scholar in 2024. Her interests center around recruitment and retention in science disciplines, accessibility of science, and environmental chemistry.
Dr. Boyd’s research interests include student recruitment and retention in science disciplines and improving the accessibility of science for all students. Many of her current and past projects surround engaged learning experiences such as undergraduate research and incorporating new technologies into chemical education. Additionally, she explores environmental chemistry research topics such as trace metal and microplastic analysis in estuarine environments.
UM To Lead State in New Nanobiotechnology Consortium
Left to right) Thomas Werfel, assistant professor of biomedical engineering, Adam Smith, associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering and Eden Tanner, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, are the three UM researchers on the recent grant to establish the Mississippi Nano-bio ImmunoEngineering Consortium. Photos by Thomas Graning and Kevin Bain/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services
The National Science Foundation has awarded $7 million to fund a University of Mississippi-led initiative to make the Magnolia State a new hub for innovative health care solutions.
The foundation announced today (June 27) that it is awarding $35 million to improve research infrastructure across the nation, including the funds to create the Mississippi Nano-bio ImmunoEngineering Consortium. That association, led by UM researchers, will help seven institutions across the state bolster their research and development in the field of nanobiotechnology.
“The big picture idea is to create a thriving multidisciplinary research network to enhance the state’s capacity in biomaterials research, education and workforce development,” said Adam Smith, associate professor of biomedical and chemical engineering and lead principal investigator for the grant.
“This represents an opportunity for Mississippi to be known as a biomaterials research hub. We want to build a foothold in a space that the state is not well represented in, and it’s building on some of the research expertise we already have in the state.”
Nanobiotechnology works with materials at the atomic and molecular level in the health care field to better treat illnesses and improve drug delivery, among its many uses.
“One of the most common examples of nanobiotechnology in our everyday lives is mineral sunscreen,” said Thomas Werfel, assistant professor of biomedical engineering and co-principal investigator. “The zinc oxide active ingredient in these sunscreens are nanoparticles that absorb the sun’s rays and protect your skin.
“Another high-profile example of the impact of nanobiotechnology in today’s world is the COVID-19 vaccines that have saved millions of lives. Our consortium will now be able to conduct research on similar technologies and likely will bring new technologies to market in the coming years.”
The association will start with three main goals, Smith said. They are:
- Gain a better understanding of protein interactions with nanoparticles to help steer medication to a particular area of the body
- Improve nucleic acid delivery to eliminate side effects of certain vaccines and medications
Facilitate healing and reduce the risk of infection in tissue regeneration.
For these first two projects, the goal is to be able to do things like target cancer therapeutics to only the cancerous tissue,” he said. “For the last, we want to create antibacterial polymer matrices that will both degrade over time to facilitate healing as well as provide a barrier against infection.”
While conducting research and creating a pipeline of next-generation biomaterials, the association will also evaluate state policies and regulations influencing the growth of the biotech industry.
“We have a wealth of potential scientists in Mississippi who are passionate about solving healthcare problems they see in their loved ones and communities, and part of the role of the consortium is to create more spaces for people to come together by pooling our skills and resources,” said Eden Tanner, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and co-PI on the grant.
“Much of our work focuses on the development of new materials to provide effective delivery of drugs – and especially nano-medicines – throughout the body and has a large potential impact.”
Ultimately, the goal is not only to do good research but to make Mississippi an ideal location for the industry, Werfel said. Nanobiotechnology is one of the fastest emerging fields of science and was valued at more than $100 billion in 2023.
“This consortium will have a major impact on the state of Mississippi through increased research output, STEM education outreach to the state’s K-12 schools and the generation of new, patented technologies that can be taken to the marketplace and contribute to growing the Mississippi economy,” he said.
“The infrastructure and educational opportunities that the consortium will establish will provide transformational opportunities for students interested in biotechnology, both in the classroom and outside the classroom walls.”
The consortium includes 13 researchers from:
- Alcorn State University
- Jackson State University
- Mississippi State University
- Tougaloo University
- University of Mississippi
- University of Mississippi Medical Center
- University of Southern Mississippi
The consortium will also offer research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students while providing funds for more researchers across the state to join the consortium, Smith said.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research’s Research Incubators for STEM Excellence Research Infrastructure Improvement (EPSCoR RISE RII) grant No. 2414442.
Hammer Awarded with Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award
Chemistry Professor Nathan Hammer with University of Mississippi Chancellor Glenn Boyce
The University of Mississippi recognized chemistry professor Nathan Hammer for his exceptional teaching, research, creativity and service during the 2024 spring faculty meeting.
Hammer, who received the Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award on Friday (May 10) in Fulton Chapel, is the Margaret McLean Coulter Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and has authored more than 140 published research papers since he was hired at Ole Miss in 2007.
“This is a singular honor given to a faculty member with a demonstrated track record of research and creative achievement,” said Greg Easson, interim vice chancellor for research and sponsored programs. “He has been specially recognized for his mentoring of students, especially undergraduates, and a number of his students have gone on to win prestigious awards like the Goldwater Scholarship.”
Exposing students to research – both at the undergraduate and graduate levels – is important to increase the diversity of perspectives in science, Hammer said.
“Different people bring different perspectives and talents to studying problems,” he said. “When you work with others that have experience in different areas, you can paint a different picture of what you’re studying.”
Nathan Hammer
The annual award recognizes researchers who have achieved national or international recognition for work in their field.
Hammer is a renowned expert in analyzing the electromagnetic spectrum of molecules, nanoparticles and ions, and has published the highest-resolution spectroscopic view of cannabinoids, the chemical compounds found in cannabis. His work has been referenced more than 6000 times in other researchers’ publications.
“This year’s award winner once joked that he wanted to publish a paper with every member of his department,” Easson said. “He’s now well on his way to achieving that with publications with 14 faculty members of his department.”
Hammer has previously received the College of Liberal Arts Award for Research, Scholarship and Creative Achievement for Senior Faculty and the university’s Faculty Achievement Award in 2021. He also won the Alpha Omicron Pi Favorite Professor, Lambda Sigma Honors Society Excellence in Teaching and Student Members of the American Chemical Society Faculty awards.
The researcher has received more than $6 million in grants to fund his studies from institutions such as the National Science Foundation, National Institute of Justice and the American Chemical Society. He also received the prestigious NSF Career Award in 2010.
“To summarize, we can think of no better faculty member to receive the University of Mississippi’s 2024 Distinguished Research and Creative Achievement Award than Dr. Nathan Hammer,” said four Ole Miss chemistry and biochemistry professors in one of Hammer’s recommendation letters. “His scholarship, teaching, research and impact on the scientific community are outstanding.”
Among Hammer’s recommendation letters were professors from Johns Hopkins University, Mississippi State University, Florida State University; researchers at the Savannah River National Laboratory; and a researcher and former student with the U.S. Air Force.
“In his teaching efforts, he went to great heights to deliver the very best education to each student by looking at the needs, concerns and contributions of the individual student,” said John Kelly, who works in the Air Force’s Occupational Environmental Health Department. Kelly first met Hammer as a graduate student in 2011.
“In the classroom, he provided undergraduate and graduate students with tools and support for diverse career opportunities and development. The quality of teaching that Nathan practices can best be measured by the success of his students that go on to be successful in their careers.”
Chemistry Students Win Goldwater Scholarships
Lyle Tobin and George Taylor
Two University of Mississippi chemistry students have been recognized as Goldwater Scholars for their dedication to pursuing biomedical research.
George Taylor, a junior biomedical engineering major, and Lyle Tobin, a junior biology, classics and biochemistry triple major, are the university’s 25th and 26th students to receive Goldwater scholarships. Both students are members of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and perform research in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry.
“As a university, we are only allowed to nominate four students for Goldwater scholarships, and George and Lyle were undoubtedly at the top of the crop,” said Vivian Ibrahim, director of the UM Office of National Scholarship Advisement.
George Taylor
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation awards the scholarships to college sophomores and juniors who intend to pursue research careers in the natural sciences, mathematics and engineering. This year, 438 new Goldwater scholarships are being awarded from a pool of 1,353 undergraduates nominated by 446 total institutions.
Taylor, a Southaven native, joined the lab of Eden Tanner, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry. He was intrigued by her work on ionic liquids and nanoparticle drug treatments, which has a wide range of implications for improvements in drug delivery.
“We are currently looking at the specific interactions between various blood components and ionic liquid coated nanoparticles,” Taylor said. “This work aims to improve biodistribution of nanoparticle drug treatments. By modifying the ionic liquid, we can change the cellular interactions, which then can impact where the particles concentrate in the body.”
Tanner said she is proud of Taylor’s accomplishments.
“George is a valued member of our lab who has been working diligently to try and better understand the mechanisms underlying ionic liquid-mediated blood cell hitchhiking,” she said. “The Goldwater is a well-deserved recognition of his promise as a scientist.”
Based on his work in the lab, he has co-authored four research publications.
“George is a natural researcher,” Ibrahim said. “As a junior, publishing four papers and maintaining a 4.0 GPA is an incredible feat and makes him a very competitive applicant.”
Lyle Tobin
With the help of the Goldwater scholarship, Taylor plans to pursue a doctorate in chemistry.
“Getting the award really makes me feel more confident in what I’m doing,” he said. “I plan on using the award in as many different ways as I can so that I can continue on in the research that I’m conducting.”
A Montgomery, Texas, native, Tobin said his three majors, although seemingly unconnected, are complementary.
“The classics, and more broadly the humanities, provide both an ethical basis and a source of inspiration for science,” Tobin said. “These degree programs are helping me learn a lot of material. My long-term goal is to develop novel therapies against cancer and other diseases.”
Josh Sharp, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry, has mentored Tobin in his lab while working on new methods to characterize the structure of proteins – research that could aid the design of protein therapeutics. He called Tobin an “outstanding young researcher with an inspiring level of drive and creativity.”
“He has been performing research at a graduate student level since he was a sophomore,” Sharp said. “He’s constantly coming to me with new ideas based on the experiments he has run. It’s been a joy to work with him.”
Tobin is the university’s first Goldwater scholar who plans to pursue an M.D/Ph.D. in immunology and oncology, Ibrahim said. His decision was influenced by having volunteered several hundred hours as an EMT with the Lafayette County Fire Department.
“You can’t see those kinds of things and not be struck by how incapable and futile a lot of modern medicine is,” Tobin said. “I want to do my part to help address that.”