EES Seminar: Advancing PFAS Science, Cheryl Murphy, Michigan State University

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse class of persistent contaminants that frequently occur in complex mixtures across environmental compartments. Understanding their behavior, toxicity, and risks requires approaches that span chemistry, biology, engineering, and policy. In this seminar, I will discuss advances in PFAS mixture science, including high-throughput toxicity screening, mechanistic anchoring, and modeling approaches that help bridge molecular-level interactions with ecosystem and human health outcomes. I will also highlight the interdisciplinary activities of the Center for PFAS Research at Michigan State University, including collaborative projects with engineers, toxicologists, chemists, and stakeholders. Together, these efforts aim to inform risk assessment, support remediation strategies, and provide science-based guidance to communities and decision-makers navigating PFAS challenges.

Dr. Cheryl Murphy is a Professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University and the founding Director of the Center for PFAS Research. Her research focuses on ecotoxicology, with an emphasis on contaminant mixtures, fish physiology, bioaccumulation modeling, and the ecological impacts of persistent chemicals such as PFAS. Dr. Murphy has over 25 years of experience studying contaminants in aquatic systems, with extensive work in the Great Lakes. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and has been a principal investigator on projects funded by state, federal, and international agencies. In addition to her research, she is actively engaged in risk communication and has collaborated with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to translate complex PFAS science into accessible information.