Hi everyone! My name is Sophie Bazydola, and I’m a junior in the Honors College. I am studying chemistry with a bioscience focus and pursing a certificate in sustainability. In my free time, I like to bake, cook, crochet, and play video games. I also like to read when I’m not drained from reading for my classes (so, not very often..).
My project this semester is under the direction of Dr. Meng Wang in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. I have been a part of this lab since the fall of my sophomore year. Research in this lab involves the application of biological or bio-inspired methods to address current issues related to sustainability. My project focuses on the ability of a novel compound to degrade bisphenol A, more commonly referred to as BPA.
Bisphenol A is a compound used in the manufacturing of plastics, namely epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics. These plastics are used to manufacture a variety of goods, many of which are related to food or drink storage (take-out containers, water bottles, etc.). This is a problem though, because BPA is now widely understood to have adverse effects on our health. It is able to bind to estrogen receptors in our bodies, leading to inappropriate signaling of processes that these receptors control. As a result, BPA has been deemed an estrogen-disrupting compound.
Past work by members of the lab has led to the development of a new compound that mimics laccase, a naturally occurring enzyme in many plants, bacteria, and fungi. Enzymes are proteins that catalyze, or speed up, reactions by lowering the energy needed for them to occur. Laccases are a family of enzymes that react with phenolic compounds. Many organic water contaminants, including BPA, contain phenolic structures, so laccases have become very popular in bioremediation research. There are drawbacks associated with using enzymes though, such as a high production cost and denaturation outside of cellular environments, which causes enzymes to lose their catalytic ability. The compound we’ve synthesized is likely able to catalyze the same reactions as laccase, but without the problems linked to enzymes.
My project will focus in on this compound’s ability to degrade BPA. My goal is to determine how fast BPA is broken down and characterize what is formed as a result of this reaction. If I have time, I also plan to assess the toxicity of the products by testing their ability to bind to estrogen receptors. If it works, this compound could be a viable option for degrading BPA present in the environment!
My plan after graduation is to begin graduate studies towards a PhD in chemistry, with a research focus on environmental chemistry. After that, I hope to work in the government as a scientist. I believe that the CURF program will be an important step in helping me achieve my goals. I will gain valuable experience in conducting independent research and have the opportunity to learn more about important topics and techniques in my field. I’m looking forward to sharing my experiences and findings during this fellowship with you all!
