Helbling Research Group

Congratulations, Dr. Casey Ching!

Introducing  →  next-generation cyclodextrin polymers!

We have developed a novel and versatile porous β-cyclodextrin polymer platform that removes anionic PFASs at unprecedentedly low adsorbent loadings. The modular, high-yield synthesis will also enable us to study different removal mechanisms for short-chain and long-chain PFASs.

Another great collaboration with the Dichtel Group at Northwestern!

Ri was the recipient of the 2022 AEESP MS Thesis Award for her thesis titled, “Exploring the factors that determine the adsorption of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on conventional adsorbents and novel cyclodextrin polymers with different surface properties.”

Congratulations, Ri! What a tremendous honor!!

Happy to share a new review paper co-authored with colleagues at the Technische Universität München (Technical University of Munich).

In this manuscript, we discuss the physical and biogeochemical factors that influence the biotransformation of trace organic contaminants in the subsurface during managed aquifer recharge and summarize approaches to optimize the performance of managed aquifer recharge systems to enhance the types of biotransformations that are performed.

Check it out with free access at this link until May 4, 2022!

We are very happy to share the results of our long-term collaboration with Erika Tenorio and her students at the Panamerican Agricultural School, Zamorano, Honduras. Over the course of several years, we explored agricultural practices in Honduras and collected surface water samples to assess the impacts of agriculture-derived micropollutants in water resources of Honduras. We measured 30 biocides in at least one sample from across the sample set, and discovered associations between biocide occurrence or concentration and land-use and hydrological conditions.

This work was led by undergraduate researcher Anya Sherman and we are thrilled to publish this work in the H2Open Journal to provide free open access to anyone in the world!

Stephanie passed her Admission to Candidacy Exam (aka A Exam)! Another important milestone to check off the list. Congratulations Stephanie!!

Happy to share the results of a great collaboration led by postdoc Youn Jeong Choi from the Colorado School of Mines (and currently at Perdue University) along with colleagues Chris Higgins, Chris Oliveras, and Jinxia Liu – in this work we report on the known pathways by which PFAS derived from aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are biotransformed in the subsurface environment.

Use this link for FREE open access to the article until April 7, 2022!

We are excited to share our new paper that uses random forest classification to identify structural features of micropollutants that determine their biotransformation rates during biological wastewater treatment. This work was led by Stephanie with our old friend and colleague Michael Zumstein lending an important hand!

Article on Request link here!

Casey’s paper on studying the relationship between the physicochemcial properties of cyclodextrin polymers and their potential to remove PFAS from water has been published!

Use this link for FREE open access to the article until January 31, 2022!

Congratulations to Nayantara for passing her Q Exam – an important milestone on the pathway to a PhD!