Week 4: Dilluting Samples in Hexane

Hello Everyone,

Hope everyone has been doing great! Its been a really long week since I have been dealing with car situation and what not, but its not the end of the world. This week in lab we finally proceeded with gather our samples (SPMD's and silicon wristbands) that were submerged in Philippines water, allowing the plastic to absorb bacteria or any organic chemicals. Once we rinsed off the plastic with DI water to get rid of any algae growth, we put it in it's proper container and submerge it with Hexane. The reason behind using Hexane as a solvent extraction is for its non-polar nature, low latent heat of evaporation, and high selectivity to solvents. After labeling everything, Beth Polidoro and Jazmin left it prepared for the next group of interns to go ahead and put it on the rotatory for a few days. We should see how it comes out! Beth Polidoro told us that the wristbands will swell when emerged in Hexane! So cool!

Week 3: Identifying contaminants under microscope

Hi guys! Hope everyone has had a productive week. This week Beth Polidoro got the microscope we needed to identify the microplastics and microfibers! To start identifying the microplastics/microfibers off the sample, I had to first coordinate the sample that way I knew where the microplastics/microfibers were located at. I labeled everything in my lab notebook with the sample name and drew out what coordinate the microplastics were at. 

It's pretty awesome seeing the microplastic underneath the microplastic because it is so hard identifying them with just your eyes. Who would've known! I'm excited to see how many of them we go through. All I know is we have a long way to go! Excited to show you guys the results. 

- Francisco 

Week 2 - Identifying Microplastics and Microfibers

Hello Everyone, 

I hope everyone's week has been great. I had kind of a hiccup this week. I ended up getting rear ended on monday on my way to ASU West which was not so great, but I'm glad I was fine. It kind of shifted my entire week though haha. I went in thinking I would already be starting on my project but Beth Polidoro ended up not having the right microscope to look at the micro-plastics! So it kind of ended up working out because I had been late because of the car accident I had. 

Next week will be the official start for me to identify the microplastics and microfibers samples that Beth has prepared for me. I believe there is a total of 30 samples total that I will be looking at. 

I will keep you guys up to date with my project. Hope everyone’s research is starting off well.

Week 1 - The start of the Fall Research

Hi guys, 

I hope everyone is starting out their research out very well. I'm still trying to get back in the groove of things, which has been a bit challenging but I am getting there. 

So for many of you who may be curious, what am I working on this semester over at ASU West? 

And to answer that, I am still learning more about it. Beth Polidoro had some of her undergrads go out to the Philippines to collect samples during the summer to bring it back to ASU so we could further examine any contaminants like microplastic or organic chemicals. The reason I'm so interested in working with Beth's lab has been in my high curiosity on pollution found in our water. It's nice to have multiple undergrads working in this lab. There's a total of six of us who some are graduating next year. I can't wait to show you guys what I will be working on, talk about the conferences, and opportunities I shall be obtaining from this.  

Other students will be starting the research this week but since I go in just on Monday's, I will be starting next week! Let me know if you guys have any questions or curious to know about any opportunities at ASU! (: Best of luck this entire semester everyone.

- Francisco