This speaker series is presented in partnership with Future Energy Systems. They focus on multidisciplinary research that develops the energy technologies of today and the near future, integrates them into today’s infrastructure, and examines possible consequences for our society, economy, and environment. Energy Talks provides an opportunity for you to engage with researchers and learn more about their work. Visit their website for more information: https://www.futureenergysystem..

Online registration is required for this meetup. This event will be in-person, located at the Strathcona Branch in the Program Room.

Title: Why Some Chemicals Last Forever and How We Can Do Better

Speaker:  Shira Joudan, PhD

Talk Description: Harmful chemicals contaminate our environment threatening human and ecosystem health. Can we design greener chemical for the future? In this talk, I will describe how scientists determine which chemicals are considered harmful and share how we better understand how contaminants behave in the environment. Specifically we will look at per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals”, which are a large class of harmful chemicals that have received media attention. Can what we’ve learned about the negatives of PFAS help us design of greener chemicals?

Speaker Biography: Shira Joudan is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Alberta. In addition to teaching undergraduate chemistry courses, she runs a twelve-person research group focused on understanding chemical contamination in the environment. The group is particularly interested in how chemical and physical processes alter how humans and ecosystems are exposed to harmful contaminants. Shira earned her BSc in Chemistry from Carleton University, PhD from the University of Toronto, and was a postdoctoral researcher at York University prior to moving to Edmonton.