UWSP faculty wins grant for research on improving Wisconsin soils
By Patrick Lynn
Five faculty members at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a collaborator at UW-Madison have been honored with one of three 2023 Universities of Wisconsin Innovation Grants.
The grant is for their research on phytoremediation, which involves using living plants to remove synthetic materials from soil.
The group’s proposal, titled “Phytoremediation of PFAS in Wisconsin Soils using Hemp and Alfalfa,” secured funding of $175,000. The dollars will be divided over two years, from January 2024 to December 2025.
Following the funding period, the faculty members will issue a progress report detailing the project’s status, completed work, and the team’s vision for future research or project development.
Among this year’s three finalists, a review panel will choose a “big idea” winner to receive additional funding totaling up to $400,000 distributed over three years. Recipients will also have the opportunity to present their winning proposal and projected outcomes at a future UW Board of Regents meeting.
The research team comprises UW-Stevens Point faculty members: Associate Professor Brian Barringer (biology), Associate Professor Ann Impullitti (biology), Associate Professor Joseph Mondloch (chemistry), Associate Professor Shannon Riha (chemistry), and Associate Professor Bryant Scharenbroch (soil and waste resources). From UW-Madison, Assistant Professor Shelby Ellison (plant and agroecosystem sciences) is also part of the team.
The team’s research will focus on evaluating the ability of hemp and alfalfa plants to remove PFAS from soil, and includes determining how and where PFAS is stored in plant tissues and understanding how soil quality influences PFAS remediation. PFAS are man-made chemicals used in industrial applications and have been associated with various health problems. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has identified over 100 sites in the state that are either contaminated with PFAS or under investigation for PFAS remediation.
Given the growing concern around PFAS, the group views this as a significant opportunity, particularly because many of them have collaborated on cannabis-related projects over the years.
Brian Barringer expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential impact on students, stating, “We are excited about the amazing opportunities that we will be able to offer our students while working on this project.”
Barringer also emphasized the group’s extensive experience in training students in research methodology and analysis, with undergraduate students actively participating in all aspects of the work.
Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman expressed excitement about the proposal’s future development and its potential positive effects on the Universities of Wisconsin, Wisconsin citizens and communities, and the state’s economic growth.
