Event Date
The economic toll of global environmental pollution is estimated at $4.6 trillion annually (The Lancet Commission). The escalating prevalence and accumulation of synthetic chemicals in the environment persistently present one of the foremost challenges facing past, present, and forthcoming generations. Over the past decade, scientific progress has ushered in a new era of analytical techniques, generating voluminous data from environmental sample analyses. This surge in data availability has galvanized interest in the synergistic interplay between computational tools, artificial intelligence, and chemistry. My research converges at the nexus of experimental and computational methodologies, where the overarching goal is to amalgamate analytical chemistry with computational tools, ultimately advancing understanding of how contaminants undergo environmental fate and transformation. Finally, I seek to inform to use this information to foster sustainable solutions and innovative approaches to bolster protection of public and ecological health.
My current research amalgamates sophisticated analytical techniques—such as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)—with computational tools encompassing network analysis, deep learning, and
machine learning. This multifaceted approach is dedicated to dissecting the transformation, physicochemical attributes, and environmental behavior of chemical compounds. This builds from my doctoral dissertation work, in which I showed that photochemically produced reactive intermediates
(PPRIs) play a pivotal role in the indirect photodegradation and fate of contaminants. The first segment of my talk will delve into the intricate roles played by diverse biogeochemical and natural processes, such as
acidification, photodegradation, biodegradation, and cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs), in driving the generation of PPRIs within aquatic systems. The results suggest that within the framework of ongoing global climate change and heightened resource demand, the photochemical reactivities of aquatic environments will be influenced by both the impacted natural and anthropogenic biogeochemical processes.
As scientists, we engage in experimental work to generate valuable information that aids in comprehending the characteristics, behavior, transformation, and destiny of environmental contaminants. Nevertheless,
acquiring this experimental data comes at a considerable cost in terms of time, financial resources, and technical expertise. The second part of my talk will expound upon the outcomes derived from the systematic assessment of computational tools and machine learning techniques. I will elucidate the impact of various molecular representations in enhancing our comprehension of the transformation, physicochemical characteristics, and environmental fate of chemical compounds. The results suggest that developed state-of-the-art machine learning techniques hold significant potential for studies concerning environmental properties, transformations, and fate. However, the prevailing issues of inadequate data quality and quantity remain significant concerns. This work advances our fundamental understanding of the intricate interplay governing environmental transformation and the fate of contaminants. By harnessing the synergy between analytical and computational tools, I aspire to contribute significantly to the domain of environmental protection and scientific knowledge.
Speaker Bio
Joseph Wasswa is a School of Engineering Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT. Using analytical and computational skills, his current research focuses on understanding the transformation and fate of contaminants in the environment. He earned a BSc in Agricultural Engineering from Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, an MS in Civil engineering from San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA, and a Ph.D. in Civil engineering from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA. He also obtained a Certificate of Advanced Study in Sustainable Enterprise (CASSE) in 2021 from the Martin J. Whitman School of Management at Syracuse University. Joseph has received several awards, including the 2022/2023 Outstanding Graduate Student in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Syracuse University, the Graduate Student Awards in Environmental Chemistry from the American Chemical Society in 2021, and the Black Trailblazers in Engineering Fellow from Purdue University in 2021.
