We are pleased to invite the campus community and colleagues to Wayne State University’s Integrative Environmental Health Sciences Seminar Series. The series is hosted by Wayne State’s CURES P30ES036084 Environmental Health Sciences Core Center and the CLEAR P42 Superfund Research Program.

Our next seminar will be held on November 14, 2024 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the Integrative Biosciences Center (IBio), located at 6135 Woodward, room 1D. The seminar is also available via Zoom. Zoom details will be emailed to all registrants.

The guest speaker will be Dr. Brendan O'Leary, a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research. He will present, “Assessing the Legacy of Subsurface Contaminants and Their Impact on Urban Neighborhoods."

Abstract:

Urban communities in the USA that came “of age” during the Industrial Revolution endure a legacy of toxic contaminants and hazardous waste. Sites of environmental contamination, known as brownfields, are further complicated by the presence of hazardous pollutants. This presentation aims to deepen our understanding of these brownfields by highlighting field investigations focused on subsurface contamination in urban neighborhoods near legacy gas stations and dry-cleaning facilities in Detroit. The fieldwork involves evaluating both conventional and innovative sampling methods of the ambient conditions within residences and external (air and subsurface). Additionally, we will showcase new technologies such as phytoscreening, sewer gas sampling, and a cutting-edge sensor system that leverages Internet of Things and edge computing for real-time contaminant detection, enabling rapid response, mitigation, and remediation efforts.

Biography:

Dr. Brendan O'Leary, Ph.D., is a post-doctoral fellow at the Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR) at Wayne State University in Detroit. Dr. O'Leary's research focuses on the fate and transport of contaminants in groundwater, air, and soil, with particular emphasis on human health and exposure risks in urban environments. Currently, he is developing field screening techniques and numerical modeling approaches to understanding the subsurface transport of volatile organic compounds. Dr. O’Leary received a dual titled Ph.D. in civil engineering and urban sustainability with Dr. Carol Miller at Wayne State University. He received his master's in geology with Dr. Larry Lemke at Wayne State University and an undergraduate degree in geology and environmental science from Allegheny College.

We hope you are able to join us for this interesting seminar!