Mississippi State University a Finalist for $20 Million Gulf Coast Water Quality Prize
STARKVILLE, MS – September 26, 2024 – A groundbreaking proposal from Mississippi State University (MSU) is in the running for a prestigious $20 million award aimed at bolstering marine health and water quality across the Gulf Coast region. The initiative, submitted to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program and Lever for Change’s Gulf Futures Challenge, is one of just ten finalists selected from a competitive pool of applicants.
MSU’s project focuses on developing advanced tools to understand and monitor per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – frequently enough referred to as “forever chemicals” – in the gulf. These chemicals, stemming from various industrial sources, pose a meaningful threat to waterways and, consequently, marine ecosystems and human health.”Our work focuses on better understanding where and how these substances appear so that we can protect marine life and support healthy waters,” explained Narcisa Pricope,MSU Associate Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the project’s team lead. “Together with our partners, we are using cutting-edge artificial intelligence and biotechnology to identify and measure PFAS levels in the Gulf.”
The MSU-led team has already received a $300,000 project development grant and will now compete for one of two $20 million awards to fully implement their solution.
A Collaborative Approach to a Complex Problem
The project’s strength lies in its collaborative nature, bringing together expertise from multiple MSU research centers specializing in aquatic science, biotechnology, environmental monitoring, human-centered design, and social systems. Key external partners include Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
The team aims to create a thorough, publicly accessible resource including:
A real-time PFAS database: Providing up-to-date facts on PFAS levels in the gulf.
Distribution maps: Visually illustrating the presence of PFAS throughout the region.
Community-driven strategies: Developing solutions for remediation and resilience, fostering both environmental health and economic opportunities.
[Image of the research team. Caption: The research team that is a finalist for a $20 million award as part of the Gulf Futures Program includes, from left, David Perkes; Mississippi State University; Katerina Sergi, MSU; Boran Ma, university of Southern Mississippi; Narcisa Pricope, MSU; Gina Rico-Mendez, MSU; Paul mickle, MSU; zhe Qiang, USM; Arun Venugopalan, MSU; Ryan Bradley, Mississippi Commercial Fisheries united; Cristina Childers, MSU; and Denise navicky, MSU. (Submitted photo)]
The Gulf Futures Challenge seeks innovative solutions to address pressing challenges facing the Gulf Coast. MSU’s proposal represents a significant step towards safeguarding this vital ecosystem and ensuring a enduring future for the region.
Contact:
James Carskadon
jmc603@msstate.edu
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