This research develops biodegradable “living” water filters grown from kombucha cellulose membranes. Unlike conventional plastic filters, these biofilters can self-defend against harmful microbes and self-repair when damaged. The work aims to create affordable, sustainable, and effective water filtration systems that reduce plastic waste while improving access to clean drinking water.

This research uses wastewater-based epidemiology to monitor antibodies excreted by communities, providing early insights into population vulnerability to infectious diseases. By analyzing antibody trends in wastewater over time, the work helps public health authorities identify at-risk communities, allocate resources more effectively, strengthen vaccination strategies, and improve outbreak preparedness.

This research investigates atmospheric trace elements as indicators of pollution sources, focusing on toxic metal emissions from urban firestorms during the Eaton Canyon and Palisades fires. Elevated airborne lead concentrations prompted the creation of Phoenix, a community-based post-fire air monitoring network designed to track hazardous dust resuspension during debris cleanup.

This research explores how media messaging about sedentary behavior affects people with spinal cord injuries. Through qualitative interviews, participants described “sitting is the new smoking” headlines as offensive and exclusionary. The study advocates more accurate, inclusive scientific communication and is helping develop media guidelines that better reflect the realities of disability and health.

This study explores anemia as a potential risk factor for dementia, finding that nearly half of dementia patients also exhibit low hemoglobin levels, often undiagnosed. By highlighting links between blood health and cognitive decline, the research advocates earlier detection and a multidisciplinary approach to reduce dementia’s growing societal and healthcare burden.

This research redefines digital health literacy for an AI-driven world, emphasizing the alignment between users and technology. Using a Delphi method, it identifies three core components—knowledge, skills, and context. The resulting framework guides the design of digital health tools that better support behavior change by adapting to users’ real-world needs.

Road salt, widely used for winter safety, contaminates waterways and drinking supplies by increasing sodium and chloride levels. This year-long study of Pennsylvania watersheds found consistent exceedances of EPA guidelines, posing risks to human health and aquatic ecosystems. The research highlights the need to reduce salt use and adopt more sustainable deicing practices.

Infertility affects one in six adults and carries profound emotional, psychological, and social burdens often overlooked in medical care. This research evaluates a four-week yoga intervention for individuals undergoing IVF, aiming to reduce anxiety and depression while improving quality of life, addressing the unmet psychosocial needs of those experiencing infertility.

This research critiques the Hatch-Waxman Act, arguing it enables pharmaceutical companies to extend monopolies through “evergreening,” delaying cheaper generics. It proposes legal reforms to restore balance between innovation and access, strengthen FDA oversight, and reduce drug costs, ensuring life-saving medications remain affordable for patients across the United States.

This research uses low-cost air quality sensors to monitor pollution exposure in underserved communities in Philadelphia. It reveals unexpected indoor and temporal pollution patterns and highlights disparities in exposure. By involving residents as citizen scientists, the study demonstrates how accessible data can inform policy and improve public health outcomes.