PhD Student Receives First-Place Presentation Award

Odera Umeh, a committed environmental scientist, received first place for his outstanding poster presentation titled “Statewide Assessment, Land Use Patterns, and Source Apportionment of Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Across New Jersey Monitoring Wells, Watershed Management Areas, and Regions” at the Hudson-Delaware Chapter of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (HDC-SETAC) conference on April 1 in Princeton, New Jersey.

Founded in 1984 as one of the first regional chapters of SETAC North America, HDC-SETAC brings together environmental scientists to share research and educate on current issues through annual meetings and workshops. Odera’s innovative and compelling research outputs impressed the judges with its novel approach and potential impact on environmental science and toxicology, exemplifying the scientific excellence HDC-SETAC fosters.

This prestigious award recognizes Odera’s hard work, expertise, and dedication to advancing understanding of critical environmental challenges in the United States. His research provides valuable insights into PFAS contamination patterns and hotspots across New Jersey.