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Sun Wins Third in Geosyntec Paper Competition

Yanchen Sun.

Graduate research assistant Yanchen Sun recently received third place in the 2022 Geosyntec Groundwater Student Paper Competition for his research titled, “Soluble Mn(III) Mediates Degradation of Adsorbed Bisphenol A (BPA).”

Sun is a PhD candidate in the department, working with UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair in Microbiology Frank Loeffler.

Using the cutting-edge small-angle neutron scattering techniques, his research found that BPA adsorbed to solid matrices can be effectively degraded by manganese (III), a naturally generated soluble oxidant. The discovery advances our understanding of the fate of this potential endocrine disruptor in soils and sediments.

“It is my honor to be recognized by environmental protection practitioners and it is also a great encouragement for me before getting my doctorate degree,” Sun said.