News

It is a bittersweet moment for the NRG research group as we proudly celebrate three graduates this spring: Umer Aslam, Richard Wienhold, and Aditya Goyal. While we are excited to see them reach this important milestone, we will greatly miss their productivity, dedication, and contributions to the group. Umer Aslam, who is completing his Ph.D., will be pursuing a career in teaching and research. Richard Wienhold will be joining a local engineering consulting firm, where he will apply his skills in professional practice. Aditya Goyal, who is completing his M.S., will be transitioning into doctoral research with one of our collaborators. We are grateful for the hard work, creativity, and commitment that Umer, Richard, and Aditya have brought to the NRG research group. We wish all three the very best in their next chapters and hope they achieve everything they are working toward.

Kolbie Bernu, a junior and member of the NRG research group, recently completed a semester-long research experience through the NDSU Office of Research and Creative Activity’s EXPLORE Undergraduate Research Program. Over the semester, Kolbie worked on protein-based clay nanoparticle modifications for environmental applications. His project focused on advancing material modification strategies with potential relevance to environmental remediation and sustainability-focused technologies. Kolbie brought strong curiosity, dedication, and enthusiasm to the project throughout the semester. It was especially rewarding to see him present his work at the 2026 NDSU Undergraduate Student Research Day, where he did an excellent job communicating the progress, significance, and future potential of the research. The NRG research group congratulates Kolbie on his accomplishments and thanks him for his valuable contributions to the project.

Our research explores a sustainable approach to PFAS removal using ovalbumin (OVA), a natural protein found in egg white. PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are persistent pollutants that are difficult to remove from water because of their stability and mobility. This study shows that OVA can interact with and bind PFAS, highlighting its potential as a bio-based adsorbent for water treatment. The findings provide new molecular-level insight into protein–PFAS interactions and support the development of greener, biomimetic materials for PFAS remediation. Media Coverage Our research has attracted attention from a range of news outlets and science communication platforms: https://www.wdayradionow.com/news/local-news/ndsu-research-team-finds-protein-in-egg-whites-removes-forever-chemicals-in-water/ https://kfgo.com/2026/03/05/ndsu-researchers-make-discovery-in-fight-against-forever-chemicals/ https://www.kvrr.com/2026/03/05/ndsu-researchers-discover-egg-protein-that-combats-forever-chemicals/ https://www.valleynewslive.com/2026/03/05/ndsu-researchers-discover-simple-method-combat-global-forever-chemicals/ https://www.kfyrtv.com/2026/03/11/north-dakota-center-research-using-eggs-remove-pfas-water/ https://www.ptinews.com/story/national/study-suggests-protein-in-egg-whites-may-provide-scalable-effective-solution-against-forever-chemicals/3453679 https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/science-environment/3832785-egg-white-revolution-ovalbumin-tackles-forever-chemicals https://www.ndtv.com/health/study-suggests-protein-in-egg-whites-may-provide-scalable-effective-solution-against-forever-chemicals-11195472 Looking Ahead This study lays the groundwork for future innovations in sustainable water treatment. By leveraging naturally occurring biomolecules, we move closer to developing efficient, low-cost, and environmentally responsible solutions to mitigate PFAS contamination.    

NRG group members have developed a promising, straightforward method to help combat persistent environmental pollutants known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or “forever chemicals.” The team, comprising Shirsa Mazumdar, Jimli Goswami, and Dr. Achintya Bezbaruah, discovered that ovalbumin, the primary protein in egg whites, can effectively bind to and remove PFAS from contaminated water, offering a potential bio-based tool for future treatment strategies. PFAS compounds are widely used in products such as nonstick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and firefighting foams, but their durability in the environment has raised serious health and ecological concerns. By harnessing a natural material that is abundant and biodegradable, the team’s work could point toward more accessible and sustainable approaches for PFAS remediation. To learn more about this innovative research by the NRG group, read the full article on the NDSU news site: https://www.ndsu.edu/news/ndsu-researchers-discover-simple-method-combat-global-forever-chemicals. Read the full study online here.  

We are proud to announce that Muhammad Umer Aslam, a doctoral student in Environmental and Conservation Sciences and a member of the NRG group, has been selected as a 2025 EREF Scholar by the Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF). Aslam was awarded one of 23 competitive scholarships granted this year to graduate students advancing research in sustainable waste management. His project focuses on developing a biopolymer-based composite adsorbent for selective microplastic removal from landfill leachate, contributing to innovative solutions in environmental cleanup and sustainability. The EREF Scholarship Program supports promising researchers in solid waste and sustainability fields, helping to cultivate the next generation of leaders in environmental science. Congratulations to Umer Aslam on this significant achievement! Read more at: https://erefdn.org/environmental-research-education-foundation-awards-23-scholarships-to-graduate-students-advancing-waste-and-sustainability-research/

Aditya Goyal represented NDSU at the 67th Annual Conference of the Western Association of Graduate Schools (WAGS), participating in the prestigious Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. The event, held under the theme "Elevating Graduate Student Success: Summiting Peaks of Excellence," brought together top graduate students to present their research in a compelling and concise format. We wish him luck as he presents in the final round of this regional competition.

The 2025 NSLS-II and CFN Users’ Meeting will feature an on-site workshop titled "Advancing Sustainable Nanotechnology: Exploring Nanomaterials in Operando Conditions at CFN." Hosted at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) on April 28, 2025, this workshop will provide a deep dive into operando studies, focusing on how nanomaterials behave in real-time functional environments. Participants will gain hands-on insights into cutting-edge facilities, including: Advanced electron microscopy for high-resolution imaging Multimodal operando spectroscopy for reaction mechanism monitoring  Computational tools for atomic-level material functionality analysis This event aims to engage new communities and foster interdisciplinary collaborations in sustainable nanotechnology research. Researchers are encouraged to submit posters by April 14 and attend expert talks from leading scientists across various fields. Register by April 13, 2025, and explore more details at https://www.bnl.gov/usersmeeting/index.php. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with top experts and explore new frontiers in nanotechnology! 

Aditya Goyal, was named this year’s Three Minute Thesis champion during the final round of NDSU Graduate School’s Three Minute Thesis competition on Thursday, Feb. 13. Aditya’s presentation “Creating Sustainable Phosphorus Fertilizers,” focused on eutrophication, a process driven by excessive phosphate pollution that affects 34% of lakes in the U.S., harming biodiversity and water quality. His research provides a sustainable solution by using calcium peroxide nanoparticles to remove phosphate from lakes and repurpose it as fertilizer, and aims to bridge environmental sustainability and agricultural needs, offering a scalable and cost-effective method for addressing water pollution while conserving a vital resource for food production. He will represent NDSU at the Western Association of Graduate Schools regional competition in March. The NDSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Family Business also presented Aditya with the Innovation Commendation for developing a creative solution to a major problem.

NRG group memebrs Aditya, Umer and Shirsa made a strong impact at the Sustainable Nanotechnology Organization (SNO) 2024 Conference held in Providence, RI between Nov. 8-10, presenting both oral and poster sessions. Aditya Goyal secured 1st place in the poster competition with his work titled "Nano Approach for Phosphate Removal from Water Using Calcium Peroxide Nanoparticles." Congratulations to the team for their excellent presentations and achievements!

NRG team members (Aditya, Umer, Anand, Jimli and Shirsa) showcased their innovative work at the Soth Dakota State University Student Water Conference 2024, presenting both poster and oral sessions. Special recognition went to Shirsa Mazumdar, who received an Honorable Mention for his outstanding poster presentation. Congratulations to the team for their impressive contributions!