In the Spring of 2026, Alonzo Spencer exchange to the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa through the National Student Exchange program. In addition to taking classes, Alonzo also completed a research internship. Read more about Alonzo's story below.
Research in Hawai'i
"During my research internship in Hawaii, I worked on two projects focused on PFAS, commonly known as "forever chemicals." One project, conducted in collaboration with the City of Honolulu, examined how PFAS concentrations changed throughout the wastewater treatment process, while the second explored how PFAS interact with Hawaii's iron-rich volcanic soils for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. Through laboratory sample preparation, solid-phase extraction, and HPLC analysis, I helped investigate PFAS behavior and detection at extremely low concentrations."
How did this opportunity impact your NSE experience and overall professional goals?
"This research allowed me to contribute to projects with direct public health and environmental significance while applying engineering principles learned at both my home and exchange campuses. The experience strengthened my technical skills, reinforced my passion for environmental engineering, and confirmed my goal of pursuing a career focused on protecting water resources and developing sustainable solutions."
