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Building A Vision for Human and Environmental Health in Arizona (3 Scholars & Mentors)

MENTOR: ANDREA GERLAK, PH.D.
MENTOR: GEMMA SMITH, PH.D.
MENTOR: ADRIANA ZUNIGA-TERAN, PH.D.
U of A Research Professors
Mos-Policy-Scholars-Andrea-Gemma-Adriana
In Arizona and around the world, the chemical group known as PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—poses a growing threat to human and environmental health. PFAS do not break down in the environment, bioaccumulate over time, and are now found in the blood of nearly every person on Earth. These chemicals move through interconnected pathways including water, soil, food systems, and air, making them a complex challenge that demands coordinated, multi-sectoral governance responses. 

While Arizona has taken initial steps to address PFAS contamination, significant gaps remain in our understanding of where these chemicals are present, how they impact communities and ecosystems, and which policy and governance tools are most effective for managing risk. 

To help address these challenges, our team is launching an inaugural science–policy–community workshop that will bring together scientists, policymakers, and impacted communities from across Arizona. The workshop will focus on identifying key data gaps, shared priorities, and actionable policy opportunities. As a Mo’s Udall Scholar on this project, you will play a key role in shaping the workshop and synthesizing its outcomes into reports and recommendations designed for real-world impact. 

You will receive mentorship from Drs. Smith, Zúñiga-Terán, and Gerlak and work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team. You will participate in regular team meetings and gain hands-on experience analyzing and synthesizing workshop outputs and PFAS-related data from diverse disciplines into clear, meaningful reports and academic publications. The project will strengthen your collaboration, communication, and presentation skills, with an emphasis on translating science for policy and public audiences.  

Skills Needed 

  • Attention to detail 

  • Interest in public policy and government 

  • Strong language and writing skills 

  • Experience with qualitative research or event coordination a plus.

Skills Gained

  • Understanding of public policy and governance processes
     
  • Interdisciplinary understanding of PFAS and key related challenges in Arizona
     
  • Writing for public and professional audiences. 
     
  • Event coordination

Each faculty member on this project team will mentor one selected student scholar. All three selected scholars will collaborate on the same research project working under all three mentors as a single research team. 

 

Apply Now