Doctoral candidate Jessica LaFond is being honored for her research into breaking down "forever chemicals" (PFAS).
For Jessica LaFond, a doctoral candidate at Texas Tech University, the fight against "forever chemicals" just earned international recognition.
LaFond, who graduated in May 2025 with a PhD in environmental engineering, was recently named a joint runner-up for the 2024 Best Paper award by Environmental Science & Technology (ES&T). The honor recognizes her research into how specific bacteria can transform per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals notoriously difficult to eliminate from the environment.
The award-winning study, titled "Aerobic Biotransformation of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Aqueous Film-Forming Foam-Impacted Groundwater," investigates the behavior of PFAS found in firefighting foams. While these chemicals are famous for their persistence, LaFond’s research confirmed that certain bacteria known to express oxygenase enzymes can unintentionally transform them into smaller PFAS compounds.
"It is a huge honor for me and the whole team," LaFond said. "It can be difficult to even publish in ES&T, and as they publish several thousand great articles every year, being recognized as one of the best in 2024 was very exciting for us."
The research is particularly significant because it used groundwater from an active firefighting site rather than a controlled laboratory setting. It marks the first report of oxygenase-expressing bacteria transforming these specific substances, providing a critical roadmap for cleaning up contaminated water supplies.
LaFond credited her co-authors—Drs. Andrew Jackson, Jennifer Guelfo, Paul Hatzinger, Todd Anderson, Marzieh Shojaei, and researcher Rachael Rezes for the project's success.
FInishing her degree in Spring of 2025, LaFond has transitioned into the professional research world. She is currently completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she continues her environmental research while seeking a permanent position in the field.
Reflecting on her time at Texas Tech, LaFond encouraged current and prospective students to find their own niche within the sciences.
"Figure out what makes you happy and do that," LaFond said. "The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering at Texas Tech is a fantastic place to learn. I highly recommend it."
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS are found in water, air, fish, and soil across the globe. Research like LaFond’s is considered vital to understanding the long-term environmental impact of these "forever chemicals" and developing effective remediation strategies.