Miss Wendy Areiza
PhD Student

Research area(s)

Research title: Determination of lipid disregulation by per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in aquatic macroinvertebrates

This research focuses on the analysis and uptake of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in freshwater snails (Biomphalaria glabrata). It also examines how exposure to PFAS affects their metabolism, specifically through lipidomics. This work is done using solid phase extraction (SPE) to isolate a variety of PFAS (up to 30) from the snail matrix and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantitate the PFAS and analyse the changes in the snails' fatty acids. Lipid changes and PFAS uptake will be monitored in both snail embryos and adults, while also looking for morphological changes that may occur.

Supervisors: Thomas Miller (primary) and Alice Baynes (secondary)

Funding: The UKRI's London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership

Research Interests

One of my principal research interests is forensic science; I spent five years studying the subject during my undergraduate and Master's. Within forensic science, I have interest in DNA analysis, drug chemistry, and wildlife crime. My current key areas of expertise are analytical chemistry and environmental science.