Originally from Albany, New York, Ph.D. candidate and NSF Fellow Rachel Gehr received her B.S. in Civil Engineering from LeTourneau University (2018) and her M.S. from Purdue University Environmental and Ecological Engineering (2020).

“I chose EEE because its expert faculty and well-equipped labs provide a unique opportunity to engage in high-impact research,” says Gehr.

Gehr’s research focuses on PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of contaminants used in many consumer products that have a negative impact on public health. This includes methods for treating water contaminated with PFAS, the mechanisms behind these processes, and how these contaminants impact the broader environment.

In addition to being awarded a Purdue Ross Fellowship and a Purdue Graduate Student Mentorship Fellowship, Gehr received a prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship. This award funds outstanding graduate students pursuing STEM degrees, providing $34,000 annually for five years. Known for selecting students who go on to achieve great career success, NSF received over 13,000 applications for this competitive fellowship in 2020 alone.

“Receiving the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship was a great honor. It allows me to focus on my water quality research and pursue my long-term goal of becoming a professor at an R1 institution,” says Gehr, who clearly has a bright future in academia.