Project Understanding Bioaccumulation, Biotransformation, and Reproductive Effects of Forever Chemicals on Largemouth Bass Program DUIRI - Discovery Undergraduate Interdisciplinary Research Internship Term Summer 2025 Status Accepted Research Area Biology, Ecology, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Ecotoxicology Description Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 15,000 chemicals that are often labeled as “Forever Chemicals,” because many never degrade in the environment. PFAS are a pressing environmental health concern because they occur on every continent, accumulate in humans and wildlife, and are toxic at realistic doses. In Indiana, large PFAS loads enter the environment through agricultural biosolids applications, where PFAS-containing human and industrial wastes are reconstituted into fertilizers that are routinely spread on farm fields, where they can run off into nearby waters, presenting exposure hazards from humans and wildlife. Our preliminary data suggest that largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) in ponds receiving biosolid runoff have very high levels of PFAS in fillets, but how PFAS are taken up, transformed and metabolized, and how PFAS influence the reproductive health of bass is not well understood. This is problematic because bass are the most popular gamefish in the United States, are commonly consumed by people, and are important predators in aquatic systems across the USA. We are conducting field sampling, experimental exposures, and molecular experiments to characterize PFAS in water, sediment, and bass tissues in ponds receiving biosolids runoff, to determine how bass metabolize PFAS, to test whether exposure to PFAS influences reproduction under field conditions, to elucidate any underlying molecular mechanisms, and finally, to screen/validate biomarkers of exposure and reproductive effects in this important gamefish. Our project integrates ecotoxicology, environmental science, and analytical chemistry to achieve these goals. Supervisor Tyler D Hoskins Mentor Type of work required We are seeking a motivated student to join an interdisciplinary team of biologists, chemists, ecotoxicologists, and environmental scientists and work collaboratively to advance the goals of this project. The successful student is expected to attend laboratory and project meetings, to assist with field sampling, laboratory experiments, sample processing, data collection/processing/analysis, and to communicate regularly with team members. The applicant will work closely with the Project Lead and ecotoxicologist (Tyler Hoskins, Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources), with our Senior Analytical Chemist (Youn Jeong Choi, Agronomy Dept.), and with a PhD student to advance project objectives. Past DUIRI scholars in our laboratory have secured continuing employment and research beyond the DUIRI program. Websites Qualifications The successful applicant will have some background/interest in biology and/or environmental science and a basic understanding of chemistry. While not required, some background and/or experience working in laboratory and field settings, basic bench skills, and data analysis experience would be beneficial. Most importantly, the student must be a strong verbal and written communicator, as they will be expected to integrate into an interdisciplinary team of scientists and work collaboratively. Credit Hours 0 Weekly Hours 40 (estimated)