Capstone Projects

Students present their final Capstone Projects in their final semester of the program. See our past EMAP students’ projects below!

 – May 2025 – 

Method Optimization and Non-Target Analysis of Products for GenX Degradation in Water by UV/Sodium Sulfite System. Presented by Ashley DeJuliannie, Hannah Kim, and Aubrey Leszczak

A Road Map Strategy for Microplastic Standard Preparation, Filtration, and Quantification. Presented by Karima Mohamadin, Keyla Correia, and Samraa Smadi

Metal Contamination in Tampons: Total Metal versus Leaching in Simulated Vaginal Fluid. Presented by Hannah McDavid and Liliana Gilster

Detection and Analysis of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Baby Formula. Presented by Mohammed Faisal

 – May 2024 – 

Detection and Quantification of Atrazin and Metolachlor in the Potomac River Basin. Presented by Madeleine Kawanesicayuga and Tara Bhat

Identification and Categorization of Microplastics in the Waters of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, Washington, DC. Presented by Alexis Lashbaugh, Ava Hanson, and Andrew Wilps

Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances Level in Drinking Water in Washington, DC. Presented by Maya Cohn, Henry Frishman, and Raytan Vares

 – May 2023 – 

Resolving Isobaric Interferences in Elemental Mass Spectrometry through Ion Mobility and Cluster Chemistry Mechanisms. Presented by Kelsey O’Malley

Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Department of Defense Off-Base Drinking Water Supplies in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Presented by Kesten Bozinovic, Amelia Green, MacKenzie King, Maddie Rouse, and Graham Strzelecki

Examining Mass Concentration Bias in Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors. Presented by Dakota De Long-Maxey and Haley Hamza

Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Menstrual Underwear. Presented by Emilia Echeveste, Emily Li, and Phoebe Song

Comparing the Effectiveness of Biochar and Activated Carbon to Remove Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) From Water. Presented by Brian Beukema and Camille Moore

The Potential for Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in the Potomac River’s T. truncatus. Presented by Elizabeth Danon and Zahra Khan

A bottom-up approach for developing uncertainty budgets for potentiometric and spectrophotometric pH measurements in seawater. Presented by Jack Polentes and Andrew Reed

The Dirt on Pesticides: Analyzing Organophosphorus Pesticide Usage on DC College Campuses via Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry. Presented by Isabella Jaramillo, Emily Prest, and Anthony Rufka

Development of high precision low-cost atmospheric CO2 monitoring system through the production and utilization of NIST primary standard mixtures for calibration. Presented by Joshua Silver and Mikela Waldman

 – December 2022 – 

The Potential for Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metals in the Potomac River’s T. truncatus.
Presented by Elizabeth Danon, Shahrukh Khan, and Zahra Khan (Completed by Shahrukh; Ongoing by Elizabeth and Zahra in May 2023)

 – May 2022 – 

Levels of Poly- and Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Deers and Associated Water. Presented by Krista Jajeh, Zhendong Ji, and Todd Newlin

The Evaluation of Mercury in Fish from the Local Markets. Presented by Miguel Aristu Garcia and Taylor Pollak

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in Popular Hair Products with Black Women. Presented by Laniya Thompson

December 2021

Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Harmful Elements in End-of-Life-Tire Derived Playground Surfaces *COMPLETE* – Presented by Robyn Winz

 – May 2021 – 

The Analysis of PFAS Chemicals in Commercial Cosmetics Products *COMPLETE* – Presented by Parker Jones, Shenwei Liang, Hannah Hidle

Blue Carbon Sequestration in the Jug Bay Wetlands *COMPLETE* – Presented by Ciara Dalton and Morgan McCue

The Assessment of Heavy Metal Elements in the Jug Bay Wetland Agriculture Land *COMPLETE* – Presented by Elizabeth Linske, Valeria Guerrero, and Leah Wise

 – December 2020 – 

Blue Carbon Sequestration in the Jug Bay Wetlands *COMPLETE* – Presented by Jeffrey Imbrogno, Ciara Dalton, and Morgan McCue (Completed by Jeffrey; Ongoing and Completed by Ciara and Morgan in May 2021)

 – May 2020 – 

Quick Identification of Extractable-PFAS on Popcorn Packaging Material *COMPLETE* – Presented by Misti Persaud, Julie Oh, and Tianze “Peter” Pan

Identification & Quantification of Diesel Range Organics in Alexandria, VA *COMPLETE* – Presented by Natalie Ephraim and Camden Ogletree

Quantification of Lead in Drinking Water Sources at Georgetown University *COMPLETE* – Presented by Misti Persaud, Julie Oh, and Tianze “Peter” Pan