Florida State University doctoral student transforms ‘forever chemicals’ research into commercial possibilities through NSF’s I-Corps program

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Official response and confirmed impact

By: Lydia Allen | Published: October 1, 2026 | 12:29 pm | SHARE:

A Florida State University doctoral student has developed a new approach to destroying “forever chemicals” and is now taking the technology beyond the laboratory through the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps program.

Kimberley Christopher, a doctoral candidate in FSU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, studies new ways to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

Because these synthetic chemicals persist in the environment for decades or longer, they have been nicknamed “forever chemicals” and have become a major environmental and public health concern.

Around 200 million people in the U.S. drink PFAS-contaminated water daily, and more than 97% of Americans have PFAS in their blood.

Exposure to certain PFAS has been associated with a range of adverse health effects, including increased risk of some cancers.

Through NSF I-Corps, Christopher is expanding the scope of her research: not just whether the chemistry works, but where the technology could have the greatest impact.