Superfund Research Program
July 2019
The UK SRP Center booth showcased methods the team developed to clean up hazardous chemicals in the environment.
(Photo courtesy of Angela Gutierrez)
The University of Kentucky Superfund Research Program (UK SRP) Center showcased its work at Kentucky's third annual Expanding Your Horizons Conference on April 20. Middle school girls from across the state attended the all-day event. The goal was to inspire young girls to pursue science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.
Trainees hosted a demonstration booth highlighting UK SRP Center research. Angela Gutierrez, Ph.D., taught students about work with magnetic nanoparticles used to clean up contaminants called polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the environment. She emphasized the value of collaborating, partnering, and working together as a team with scientists of different disciplines and engineers.
Middle school girls from across Kentucky attended the third annual Expanding Your Horizons conference to hear from female professionals in STEM fields.
(Photo courtesy of Angela Gutierrez)
"The conference is a great way to introduce girls to science and work the UK SRP Center does to reduce exposures, improve health, inform decisions, and develop tomorrow's environmental health scientists," said Emily Koyagi, research translation coordinator for the Center.
Expanding Your Horizons conferences began in California in 1974. Today they are held in 31 states and in Europe and Asia. The meetings expose young participants to cutting-edge research in STEM fields. Programs present hands-on activities, workshops, and demonstrations led by professional female scientists, mathematicians, and engineers.