September 12, 2014

NSF to support research on pesticide degradation

Professor of Chemistry Louis Kuo has been awarded a $220,116 National Science Foundation grant in support of his research on the degradation of organophosphate (OP) pesticides.

Professor of Chemistry Louis Kuo has been awarded a $220,116 National Science Foundation grant in support of his research on the degradation of organophosphate (OP) pesticides. Organophosphates are neurotoxins that are used pervasively as agricultural pesticides. This three-year project, “RUI: Combating Organophosphate Pesticides with New Molybdenum-based Catalysts in Water”, is being supported by the Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS) and Research in Undergraduate Institutions (RUI) programs in NSF’s Division of Chemistry. Undergraduates, high school students and a teacher from Lake Oswego High School will join Dr. Kuo in inquiry-based activities including organic synthesis, chemical catalysis, and computational and phosphorus chemistry. While promoting teaching and learning, this project will also help guide the development of new molybdenum-based materials and strategies in order to reduce these neurotoxins in a safe and practical manner.


(September 2014)