PFAS, Environmental Chemistry, and how You can be a Greener Chemist - a chat with Dr. Shira Joudan

Dr. Shira Joudan is a currently a postdoctoral researcher in environmental chemistry at York University in Toronto. She completed her PhD in the department of chemistry at the University of Toronto in 2020, and in 2023 will start as an assistant professor in the department of chemistry at the University of Alberta in Edmonton. Her research focuses on the fate of organic contaminants in the environment, and how transformation reactions impact how humans and ecosystems are exposed to potentially toxic chemicals. For the past 7 years, a major focus has been PFAS – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Shira is also interested in green chemistry and previously attended the ACS Green Chemistry Summer School. Outside the lab she likes live music, canoeing, and doing fun things with her friends.

Episode Links (discussed in podcast)

1.) "Dark Waters" film (available on Hulu)

2.) "The Devil We Know" documentary (available on Netflix) 

3.) Exposure by Robert Bilott 

4.) Green Science Policy Institute 

5.) Kimberly-Clark glove/PPE recycling

Dr. Joudan's Favorites 

1.) Favorite Snack? - pickles! 

2.) Song to get you hyped - "Rumors" by Lizzo & Cardi B

3.) What's on your watchlist? - Big Mouth 

4.) Favorite Vacation Spot - friend's family cottage in Muskoka, Ontario

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Chemistea is a chemistry and science podcast founded by Lucy Yang (she/her), currently a fourth-year undergraduate at UC Irvine, studying chemistry and biological sciences. Some of the most famous scientific collaborations and discoveries were born from a conversation over tea, and on her podcast, Lucy aims to combine her love of talking with her love of sharing and hearing stories—stories about others' passion for science, their journeys, and any and all fun shenanigans in between. You can follow Lucy on twitter @isolucyine. She is also the founder of The Kawaii Chemist, a shop where you can find cute chemistry stickers and merch, where 100% of profit goes to charity. You can check out The Kawaii Chemist here, and you can donate to support Kawaii Chemist and the Chemistea podcast here. Thank you listening!