Using Fluorescence Quenching to Study Interactions Between Humic Acid and Triclosan

Emily Felix ’25

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Anderson

What is the broader impact of your summer research? That is, why should the world care about your work?

One of the chemicals I am monitoring is Triclosan. Triclosan was a product that was used in everyday household products with antibacterial properties. As a result, it would often end up in runoff. Because triclosan ends up in runoff, it interacts with a lot of naturally occurring chemicals. The natural chemical I monitored consisted of Humic Acid. Previous research looked at the toxicity of Triclosan in nature, but not exactly how the chemicals interact with one another.

What has summer research taught you about yourself and the field that you researched and/or studied?

In many of my previous classes, group work is often prioritized. As a result, I was so used to splitting work and communicating with others to complete a project or lab report. This experience definitely taught me how t be more independent, especially when it came to my presentation for the Friday Forum. Before this research opportunity, I struggled a bit in understanding fluorescence and anything related to fluorometer. However, through this experience I was able to not only understand, but learn a lot more interesting information about fluorescence I never would have known about if I did not have this opportunity.

What advice would you give to students considering a future research opportunity similar to the one you participated in?

I would tell them to never be afraid to ask questions or ask for clarification on certain parts of your research. Asking questions was something I struggled a bit a first; however, my professor would happily answer my research questions and help me in any way I needed.