Fabiola Y. Rodríguez Rodríguez
Major: Environmental Engineering
Advisor: Katherine Y. Deliz Quiñones, Ph.D.
Department: Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment, Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences.
In her first year as a University of Florida engineering graduate student, Fabiola Y. Rodríguez Rodríguez won three coveted awards that will vastly propel her Ph.D. research in sustainable waste management.
A student at UF’s Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and the Environment (ESSIE), Rodríguez Rodríguez was recently awarded:
- CDM Smith Scholarship, a merit-based fellowship that recognizes students with strong academic performance, a commitment to professional growth, and active community involvement
- Florida AWRA Storch Graduate Award, an honor recognizing academic and/or research achievements for Florida students studying water resources
- UF Water Institute Travel Award, a college award that provides funding for UF undergraduates and graduate students to present their water-related research at national or international conferences
“I felt incredibly honored and grateful,” Rodríguez Rodríguez said. “These awards remind me why this work matters and encourage me to keep pushing forward and contributing to my field.”
Rodríguez Rodríguez came to UF in fall 2024. Before UF, she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez, studying sustainable chemistry and researching ways to produce high-value compounds from agricultural waste.
“Fabiola leads with positivity, intelligence and empathy,” said Katherine Y. Deliz Quiñones, Ph.D., an assistant professor with ESSIE. “She works hard, dreams big and constantly seeks to learn and grow. “Fabiola has a heart full of creative ideas and a genuine desire to help others, so she doesn’t just stand out, she is the kind of person we all aspire to be. She is going to do great things.”
Here is more about one of UF Engineering’s most respected student researchers:
Question: What are your research interests?
Answer: Sustainable waste management and developing new ways to break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), persistent “forever chemicals,” in biosolids using advanced treatment techniques.
Question: How will this research translate to real-world applications?
Answer: My work aims to help wastewater treatment plants and municipalities safely manage biosolids by removing harmful PFAS, producing a cleaner, safer material that can be reused responsibly, protecting soil, water, food systems and public health.
Question: How did you become interested in this research?
Answer: During my undergraduate studies, I became fascinated with finding practical ways to tackle complex environmental problems, and the challenge of treating PFAS in biosolids was a perfect fit for my passion for sustainable solutions. It merges my background in chemical engineering with my commitment to environmental sustainability.
Question: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Answer: Leading research teams of scientists and engineers to advance sustainable waste treatment technologies, inform policy and mentor students who share my passion for creating a cleaner, safer environment.
Question: Where were you born and raised?
Answer: I was born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, a vibrant Caribbean gem that shaped my love for nature and community.
Question: Why UF?
Answer: I chose UF for its robust environmental engineering program, its collaborative and supportive research community, and the opportunity to work on meaningful challenges that impact both Florida and the world.
Question: What is your favorite part about UF/Gainesville?
Answer: I love the strong sense of community, the energetic research environment and the nature spots that help me unwind and stay inspired. Being in Florida often reminds me of Puerto Rico, not just the climate, but also the supportive atmosphere I’ve found in my research community.
Question: What pop culture are you consuming now?
Answer: I’m listening to Bad Bunny’s album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” It’s a beautiful piece of Puerto Rican culture that makes me feel every bit of who we are. I’m also rereading “The Four Agreements,” which always helps me stay grounded and mindful.