Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
University of Manchester: Flu Wave's Hidden Cost on People With Cystic Fibrosis
MANCHESTER, England, Dec. 19 -- The University of Manchester issued the following news release:
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Flu wave's hidden cost on people with cystic fibrosis
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are uniquely vulnerable to the flu wave currently ripping through the UK, a clinical researcher from The University of Manchester has warned.
Professor Alex Horsley made the comments following last week's news that flu cases jumped 55% in a week with an average of 2,660 patients a day being treated in an NHS hospital bed - the highest ever for this time of year.
In the North West, the most recent figures
... Show Full Article
MANCHESTER, England, Dec. 19 -- The University of Manchester issued the following news release:
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Flu wave's hidden cost on people with cystic fibrosis
People with cystic fibrosis (CF) are uniquely vulnerable to the flu wave currently ripping through the UK, a clinical researcher from The University of Manchester has warned.
Professor Alex Horsley made the comments following last week's news that flu cases jumped 55% in a week with an average of 2,660 patients a day being treated in an NHS hospital bed - the highest ever for this time of year.
In the North West, the most recent figuresshow a 36.6% increase in the number of people hospitalised with flu.
NHS England is also urging eligible populations, including those people with CF, to come forward for flu vaccinations as soon as they can avoid becoming seriously ill.
Patients with CF often have chronic infection and cough, usually controlled with nebuliser medications to help them clear mucus in the lungs and antibiotics to control infection.
However influenza can sometimes have devastating consequences from escalating lung infections and breathlessness, resulting in admission to hospital.
Professor Horsley, a leading expert in cystic fibrosis, is a Professor at The University of Manchester respiratory consultant at Wythenshawe Hospital, part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Medical Director of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Clinical Research Facility at Wythenshawe Hospital.
He said: "CF is an inherited condition, and one of the most common life-limiting genetic conditions in the UK, affecting around 11000 people.
"It primarily affects the lungs, though also has important impacts on the pancreas, causing malnutrition and diabetes, and on the gut and liver.
"For people with CF, the winter wave of flu and flu-like illnesses can be especially challenging and damaging.
"That is why it is so important people take care at this time of year, make sure they have had their flu vaccine, and do their best to avoid being exposed to those with viral symptoms.
"In our cystic fibrosis centre at Wythenshawe Hospital, we run emergency reviews every weekday to see people acutely unwell and start treatment as soon as possible.
"But we're also researching better ways to help people with CF and are leading a new study to understand and prevent it."
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"For people with CF, the winter wave of flu and flu-like illnesses can be especially challenging and damaging. That is why it is so important people take care at this time of year, make sure they have had their flu vaccine, and do their best to avoid being exposed to those with viral symptoms."
- Professor Alex Horsley
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Previous work in Manchester has highlighted the potential impact of viral infections on people with CF, and shown how these may relate to increased admissions and need for IV antibiotics.
However the new study, part of a multi-million pound Research Innovation Hub funded by the CF Trust, is now hoping to define exactly which viruses are responsible for the worst infections in people with CF, and how they do this.
The researchers plan to use the information to discover and trial new treatments to prevent exacerbations. This study, called "CF-Tracker", is based at the University of Manchester but involves researchers and clinical teams across the UK.
Professor Horsley added: "Recent advances in CF therapies include a group of drugs called CFTR modulators, and Manchester led the latest clinical trials of these therapies.
"Since the CFTR modulators, people with CF have got used to much better health and reduced lung symptoms.
"But up to a quarter of CF adults still end up requiring IV antibiotics each year, and some require several courses. These are serious events, not just because they disrupt work and home life but because they are associated with faster decline in health and survival."
Laura's Beattie's story
She said: "My cystic fibrosis made things very difficult for me when I contracted the flu in 2022. It completely floored me and I ended up going to A&E because my breathing was so laboured, my oxygen saturations were dropping, and my heart rate was really high.
"It was doubly bad because I spent the Christmas period on 24/7 oxygen, IV antibiotics throughout the day, and having intravenous infusions continually. It took a long time to get back to any kind of normality, and it affected me for months afterwards.
"Earlier this year, I was admitted again for another virus. This admission ended up being one of the longest I've ever had. Even now, at home, I'm still recovering, and I'm nowhere near my usual self."
"It's incredibly frustrating when you don't know exactly what has triggered an exacerbation, and even more frustrating not knowing how it's going to affect you while you're going through it or how long the recovery will take.
"Viral infections like flu, or a CF exacerbation or a CF exacerbation triggered by a virus, are completely unpredictable.
"You never know how hard they will hit or how much they might change things long-term. That uncertainty is really scary, and the impact on how your CF progresses can be huge."
* For more information about the flu vaccine in Greater Manchester, visit the GM integrated care webpage (https://gmintegratedcare.org.uk/winter-vaccinations/people-with-health-issues/)
* For more information about the research innovation Hub, visit www.pulse-cf.com or https://www.pulse-cf.com/tracker-study
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Original text here: https://www.manchester.ac.uk/about/news/flu-waves-hidden-cost-on-people-with-cystic-fibrosis/
University of Hawaii: Helmsley Awards More Than $2.2M to Advance UH Medical Training, Research
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Dec. 19 -- The University of Hawaii issued the following news release:
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Helmsley awards more than $2.2M to advance UH medical training, research
The University of Hawaii has secured two major grants from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, each exceeding $1 million, which will support distinct but complementary health-oriented initiatives. The grants--one to the UH Cancer Center and the other to the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM)--reinforce Helmsley's commitment to strengthening health infrastructure and workforce capacity in Hawaii.
"Helmsley
... Show Full Article
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Dec. 19 -- The University of Hawaii issued the following news release:
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Helmsley awards more than $2.2M to advance UH medical training, research
The University of Hawaii has secured two major grants from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, each exceeding $1 million, which will support distinct but complementary health-oriented initiatives. The grants--one to the UH Cancer Center and the other to the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM)--reinforce Helmsley's commitment to strengthening health infrastructure and workforce capacity in Hawaii.
"Helmsleyis committed to helping communities overcome barriers to care," said Walter Panzirer, a trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust. "Investing in expanded clinical capacity and hands-on training aligns with our core belief that access to health and opportunity shouldn't depend on where you live."
Hoola Early Phase Clinical Research Center
The UH Cancer Center award will fund essential start-up costs for the groundbreaking new Ho'ola Early Phase Clinical Research Center (EPCRC), scheduled to open in March 2026 at the UH Cancer Center in Kaka'ako. With the launch of Ho'ola, local residents will have the opportunity to participate in pioneering cancer trials close to home for the first time in state history. Until now, many patients have faced the burden of traveling to the U.S. continent for early-stage studies, or have not been able to afford going at all.
The new Ho'ola EPCRC will help maintain the closeness to home and family support that is crucial for cancer patients' healing, while positioning Hawaii as a hub for advanced oncology research. Approximately 70,000 people in Hawai'i are living with cancer. The National Cancer Institute-designated UH Cancer Center is in the top 4% of all U.S. cancer centers.
"This support from the Helmsley Trust will help us accelerate the launch of the Ho'ola Early Phase Clinical Research Center--a critical step toward expanding access to novel cancer treatments for our communities," said UH Cancer Center Director Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, who is a two-time cancer survivor himself. "This aligns with our mission to save lives in Hawai'i and in the Pacific, and strengthens our position as a local and national leader in cancer research."
JABSOM: Advanced training equipment for medical education throughout Hawai'i
Helmsley's support will enhance medical education statewide by upgrading simulation and training resources at JABSOM and on neighbor islands. New Anatomage Tables--real-human-based virtual dissection systems--transform the teaching and study of anatomy. These tables essentially make the anatomy lab mobile. Deploying these state-of-the-art tools on the neighbor islands ensures JABSOM students and trainees learning in rural areas will have equitable access to education.
In addition to the Anatomage tables, portable ultrasounds and advanced procedural models will expand hands-on learning for students, residents and a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals. At JABSOM's SimTiki Simulation Center, updated and enhanced systems for teaching with technology will strengthen high-fidelity training with advanced ultrasound simulation and for guided procedures, such as thoracentesis (a procedure to remove excess fluid around the lungs) and paracentesis (a procedure to remove excess fluid in the abdomen). Together, these investments will promote equitable access to cutting-edge education and help prepare a skilled healthcare workforce to serve Hawaii's rural and island communities.
"The Helmsley Charitable Trust's investment helps JABSOM continue its commitment to training doctors who are prepared to meet Hawaii's unique healthcare challenges," said JABSOM Dean Dr. Sam Shomaker. "Upgrading our simulation equipment strengthens our capacity to teach with precision, safety and compassion."
The two gifts align with The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust's mission to improve healthcare access, innovation and quality in Hawaii and beyond.
"These gifts demonstrate Helmsley's belief in UH's ability to deliver both innovation and impact--from pioneering research to hands-on medical training," said UH Foundation CEO and UH Vice President of Advancement Tim Dolan. "We are deeply grateful for this support, which strengthens Hawaii's healthcare future from discovery to delivery."
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About The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust aspires to improve lives by supporting exceptional efforts in the U.S. and around the world in health and select place-based initiatives. Since beginning active grantmaking in 2008, Helmsley has granted more than $4.5 billion for a wide range of charitable purposes. Helmsley's Rural Healthcare Program funds innovative projects that use information technologies to connect rural patients to emergency medical care, bring the latest medical therapies to patients in remote areas, and provide state-of-the-art training for rural hospitals and EMS personnel. To date, this program has awarded more than $850 million to organizations and initiatives in the states of Hawaii, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and two U.S. Pacific territories, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. For more information, visit www.helmsleytrust.org.
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Original text here: http://www.hawaii.edu/news/article.php?aId=14298
University of Connecticut: What to Know About Exercise as Medicine for High Blood Pressure
STORRS, Connecticut, Dec. 19 (TNSjou) -- The University of Connecticut issued the following news:
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What to Know About Exercise as Medicine for High Blood Pressure
'Do the exercises you like,' because any type will help control your blood pressure
By Anna Zarra Aldrich, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
inda Pescatello, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in the Department of Kinesiology (CAHNR), has established herself as a leading figure in the study of exercise as medicine. One avenue of Pescatello's work has highlighted how exercise can help lower blood pressure.
... Show Full Article
STORRS, Connecticut, Dec. 19 (TNSjou) -- The University of Connecticut issued the following news:
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What to Know About Exercise as Medicine for High Blood Pressure
'Do the exercises you like,' because any type will help control your blood pressure
By Anna Zarra Aldrich, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources
inda Pescatello, Board of Trustees Distinguished Professor in the Department of Kinesiology (CAHNR), has established herself as a leading figure in the study of exercise as medicine. One avenue of Pescatello's work has highlighted how exercise can help lower blood pressure.Pescatello recently published a spotlight on the topic in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. This accompanies the release of the 2025 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Multisociety high blood pressure guidelines.
What are the benefits of exercising for people with high blood pressure?
High blood pressure is the most prevalent and modifiable risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity has beneficial effects for many high blood pressure's comorbidities and other CVD risk factors. Today, if indicated, your doctor won't just prescribe you one medication to address high blood pressure - you're going to take different kinds of medication combined in one pill to enhance adherence to taking your high blood pressure medication. And that's exactly what physical activity is, a poly pill. Physical activity not only helps control high blood pressure, but also benefits other CVD risk factors that often coexist with hypertension - obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia - because CVD risk factors cluster.
What has the research shown about the efficacy of exercise for blood pressure management?
Over 70% of adults with hypertension are overweight and obese. When people with high blood pressure undergo a weight loss program, each kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of weight loss reduces blood pressure by one millimeter of mercury. So, there are synergistic effects of physical activity on many of the chronic diseases and CVD risk factors for hypertension.
My lab has found that, for up to 24 hours after you exercise, your blood pressure is lower. Your blood pressure is lower on the days you exercise than when you don't. That's an acute exercise effect. It's immediate. If you show someone, after you go for a walk your blood pressure is lower, that's been shown to be a successful behavioral strategy to increase exercise adherence.
For years, our lab continues to find that neuromotor exercises such as Tai Chi and yoga, are effective at lowering blood pressure and rival the magnitude of reductions seen with structured aerobic and resistance exercise. Even light intensity exercise has been shown to lower blood pressure.
What kinds of exercise are the most beneficial for people with hypertension?
A take home message of the spotlight is all types of movement work for blood pressure control. Aerobic, resistance, in particular dynamic resistance (e.g., lifting weights), neuromotor exercise, and there's growing evidence about isometric resistance exercise (e.g., hand grip exercises or wall sits). Engage in what type of exercise you like because all types do seem to work at some level. So do the exercises you like. Time is a major deterrent to get people to exercise. Exercises like Tai Chi and yoga are termed "multi component exercises" which means not only is it a neuromotor type of balance exercise, they also include flexibility exercise, and depending on the type you engage in, it could also involve aerobic and resistance exercise too. By engaging in an exercise that's multi-component, you're saving time, and thus, avoiding a major deterrent to why people don't exercise.
How have medical recommendations for exercise as a treatment for high blood pressure changed over time?
Typically, exercise is under appreciated. But increasingly, people are recommending lifestyle changes before medication. Lifestyle behavioral interventions would be diet, exercise, and stress management. Try that for three to six months for people that have a low risk, and if that doesn't work, then intervene with medication. That's clearly new. The new guidelines underscore the importance of structured aerobic and resistance exercise as essential first-line therapy to prevent and treat high blood pressure. Interestingly, mind body exercises such as yoga, also reduce stress which is one way these types of exercise may lower blood pressure.
What should health care practitioners know about prescribing exercise for patients with hypertension?
Our blood pressure is lower on days when we exercise than when we don't. So, the recommendation is to move, preferably, all days of the week. All intensities appear to work, but we emphasize moderate physical activity because of the risk benefit ratio. Especially in sedentary people, whether you have hypertension or not, sudden vigorous intensity for people you are not physically active can impose increased risk.
Exercise should be given higher priority as an essential component for the standard of care to prevent and treat high blood pressure because all types of movement lower blood pressure. Therefore, clinical exercise physiologists should be included as an essential component of care teams alongside doctors, pharmacists, and nurses.
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This work relates to CAHNR's Strategic Vision area focused on Enhancing Health and Well-Being Locally, Nationally, and Globally (https://cahnr.uconn.edu/strategic-vision/).
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Original text here: https://today.uconn.edu/2025/12/what-to-know-about-exercise-as-medicine-for-high-blood-pressure/
Trine University: Fall Commencement - Cameron CEO Tells BCHP Graduates Their Care Will Make an Impact
ANGOLA, Indiana, Dec. 19 -- Trine University issued the following news on Dec. 18, 2025:
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Fall Commencement: Cameron CEO tells BCHP graduates their care will make an impact
Trine University's first Associate of Science and Master of Science in nursing graduates, along with physician assistant and surgical technology graduates, received a welcome to the healthcare field from the leader of Cameron Health, herself a longtime nurse, during the university's fall Commencement on Dec. 12.
Held in the Ryan Concert Hall of the university's T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, the ceremony recognized
... Show Full Article
ANGOLA, Indiana, Dec. 19 -- Trine University issued the following news on Dec. 18, 2025:
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Fall Commencement: Cameron CEO tells BCHP graduates their care will make an impact
Trine University's first Associate of Science and Master of Science in nursing graduates, along with physician assistant and surgical technology graduates, received a welcome to the healthcare field from the leader of Cameron Health, herself a longtime nurse, during the university's fall Commencement on Dec. 12.
Held in the Ryan Concert Hall of the university's T. Furth Center for Performing Arts, the ceremony recognizedstudents from the Brooks College of Health Professions who completed their degrees during the fall semester.
Strong partnership
Lexie Staten, vice president for academic affairs, welcomed the graduates and their families by thanking them for choosing Trine.
"Take pride in all you've accomplished," she said. "Remember the relationships you formed, the challenges you met and the education that has prepared you for what comes next."
In her address to the graduates, Angie Logan, president and CEO of Cameron Health, noted that throughout its nearly 100-year history, Cameron has been supported by Trine University.
"Our organizations have shared and continue to share a common mission: improving quality of life in this region through education and health care," she said. "Together and separately, we have made a powerful impact in the last century."
She praised "the first results of one of our most meaningful collaborations" -- the first Associate of Science in nursing (ASN) students to graduate as a result of the partnership between Trine and Cameron. The university's first Master of Science in nursing (MSN) graduates also finished this past semester.
Logan said professions such as nursing, surgical technology and physician assistant are "defined not only by science and skill, but by humanity, presence and the power of compassion."
"Remember this: Your work will touch lives in ways you may never fully see, and the smallest acts can change someone's entire trajectory," she commented.
Changing lives
A former acute care nurse and chief nursing officer, Logan said she entered healthcare because of someone in her life who, after being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, was left quadriplegic by an accident.
Despite his disability, he went on to scout for the Seattle Mariners, coach the New Haven High School baseball team to the state championship and start his own business.
"He always said the reason he didn't give up, the reason he found his way forward, was because of the caregivers who believed in him and honored what mattered to him," she recalled. "If the way you show up for someone can change even one life that drastically, I wanted to be a part of that."
She encouraged the graduates to give the same personal attention they received at Trine to every patient they encounter.
"Patients rarely remember the clinical details, but they do remember the nurse who warmed [their] blanket, the tech who offered comfort when they were scared, the therapist who celebrated their progress, the provider who sat down right beside them and listened instead of rushing, the caregiver who noticed something important and acted, even without being asked," she said.
"Years from now, when they tell the story of their hardest time in life, your name may or may not be spoken, but your kindness will still be with them."
In closing, she said she was proud to welcome each of the graduates as colleagues.
"Thank you for your commitment to making your community a better place," she said. "I cannot wait to see the positive impact we'll make together as we work to improve the lives of those around us."
Endless possibilities
Following the presentation of degrees, which included pinning of the ASN and surgical technology graduates and hooding of the MSN and physician assistant graduates, Tim Raftery, president of the Trine University Alumni Association Board of Directors, inducted the new alumni into the association.
Brielle Bergeron, a Master of Physician Assistant Studies student who was named outstanding graduate for the Brooks College of Health Professions, gave the response from the class.
"From the first day of student orientation to the final day of clinical rotations, each of us has faced moments that tested our limits, but those moments also revealed our strengths," she said.
"We started out as eager yet intimidated, newly accepted students in this program, and have grown with one another into confident, capable and respectful healthcare professionals. You are all fantastic people who will change numerous lives as providers, and I am so excited for each and every one of you. Here's to a future filled with endless possibilities, meaningful impact and the shared pride of knowing we made it together."
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Original text here: https://www.trine.edu/admission-aid/visit/fall-commencement.aspx
Millersville U, Precision Cobotics, Lancaster County Workforce Development Board Receive $350,000 Grant From PA Dept. of Labor and Industry
MILLERSVILLE, Pennsylvania, Dec. 19 -- Millersville University issued the following news:
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Millersville U, Precision Cobotics, Lancaster County Workforce Development Board Receive $350,000 Grant from PA Dept. of Labor and Industry
The award will support the development of a new robotics technician pre-apprenticeship program serving Lancaster County.
By Mary Dolheimer
Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Precision Cobotics, partners in the Robotic WorX program, will receive nearly $350,000 from the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board. The Board was one of six organizations
... Show Full Article
MILLERSVILLE, Pennsylvania, Dec. 19 -- Millersville University issued the following news:
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Millersville U, Precision Cobotics, Lancaster County Workforce Development Board Receive $350,000 Grant from PA Dept. of Labor and Industry
The award will support the development of a new robotics technician pre-apprenticeship program serving Lancaster County.
By Mary Dolheimer
Millersville University of Pennsylvania and Precision Cobotics, partners in the Robotic WorX program, will receive nearly $350,000 from the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board. The Board was one of six organizationsthat received Supporting PA's Advanced Manufacturing Sector grant funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to start new training programs.
The funding is part of a nearly $4.2 million investment in advanced manufacturing registered pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, as part of Gov. Josh Shapiro's commitment to strengthening and supporting the Commonwealth's workforce for generations to come.
"This opportunity to partner with the Lancaster County Workforce Development Board and Precision Cobotics illustrates the partnerships Millerville is developing in our community," said Dr. John Haughery, associate professor of automation and electronics technologies and coordinator of the Automation and Robotics Engineering Technology Program. "It also underscores the significant role the University is playing in strengthening the workforce in our region."
The award will support the development of a new robotics technician pre-apprenticeship program serving Lancaster County.
"The Robotic WorX Lab has already provided significant real-world learning opportunities for students at Millersville University and from schools in the Lancaster County region," said Dr. Marc Harris, dean of the College of Science and Technology. "This L&I grant will allow us to offer formalized pre-apprenticeship training lanes for even more students leading to outstanding workforce development outcomes."
"Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, we're making bold, strategic investments to grow our workforce, expand apprenticeship opportunities, and ensure that people across the Commonwealth have a pathway to success," said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. "Advanced manufacturing is the backbone of so many industries here in Pennsylvania and investing in the workers who power that sector is essential to keeping our economy strong. This funding will help more Pennsylvanians access high-quality training, earn industry-recognized credentials, and step into good-paying careers that are built to last."
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Original text here: https://blogs.millersville.edu/news/2025/12/18/mu-precision-cobotics-lancaster-county-workforce-development-board-receive-grant/
Loughborough University: Research Shows How Coffee Waste Could Be Used to Clean Contaminated Water
LOUGHBOROUGH, England, Dec. 19 (TNSjou) -- Loughborough University issued the following news release:
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Research shows how coffee waste could be used to clean contaminated water
Two new research publications from experts at Loughborough University have demonstrated how coffee waste can be used to clean water.
Published in Biomass and Bioenergy and Clean Technologies, the studies showcase how coffee waste could be used effectively to filter heavy metals, such as lead, copper and zinc, from water.
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. In 2021-22, global coffee consumption
... Show Full Article
LOUGHBOROUGH, England, Dec. 19 (TNSjou) -- Loughborough University issued the following news release:
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Research shows how coffee waste could be used to clean contaminated water
Two new research publications from experts at Loughborough University have demonstrated how coffee waste can be used to clean water.
Published in Biomass and Bioenergy and Clean Technologies, the studies showcase how coffee waste could be used effectively to filter heavy metals, such as lead, copper and zinc, from water.
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide. In 2021-22, global coffee consumptionexceeded 176 million bags (around 60kg per bag), marking a notable rise from approximately 167 million bags in the previous year.
The growing global consumption generates substantial waste, particularly spent coffee grounds (SCGs), a byproduct rich in organic matter.
SCGs are porous, plant-derived materials that have excellent potential as adsorbents that could prevent coffee from going to waste.
Various other adsorption materials have also been tested for filtering water and metal ion removal, including resins, clay, rice husks, banana peels, and tea leaves.
By heating used coffee grounds, taken from Loughborough University's Edward Herbert Building cafeteria, the research team, in collaboration with Banaras Hindu University (India), produced highly porous biochar, a carbon-rich material, often used to improve soil quality.
After optimising the temperature and duration of the heating, they could remove up to 98% of lead from water, with the biochar holding 4.9 mg of lead per gram.
The study by researchers at Loughborough University demonstrated that the raw coffee waste, also collected from the Edward Herbert Building cafeteria, can be used directly without any further processing to remove heavy metals (eg. copper and zinc) from water at low metal concentrations.
The new research also demonstrates that coffee waste can be used in combination with other materials (eg. rice husk) to achieve heavy metal treatment.
Academics examined how contact time, type of adsorbent, and metal concentration affected heavy metal removal efficiency and found that more than 96% of metals could be removed. They found that the raw coffee waste performed better at low metal concentrations (2.5 ppm copper, 10 ppm zinc), whereas a coffee and rice husk mix performed slightly better at higher metal concentrations (>5 ppm copper, >25 ppm zinc).
Dr Monika Mahajan, lead author on the first study, said: "This work demonstrates how an everyday waste such as spent coffee grounds can be transformed into a high-value, sustainable adsorbent for removing toxic metals from water. By optimising the decomposition conditions, we were able to significantly enhance the material's performance while keeping the process low-cost and environmentally friendly. It is exciting to see a circular-economy approach translate into a practical solution for real-world water treatment challenges."
Dr Basmah Bushra, lead author on the second study, added, "Our studies show that what we often dismiss as waste, like spent coffee grounds, can actually become powerful materials in tackling environmental pollution. By turning waste into adsorption material, we can not only reduce landfill burdens but also create affordable materials for cleaning up contaminants. This is a simple but effective illustration of circular-economy thinking in action".
Dr Diganta B. Das, Reader in Porous Media at Loughborough University, explained the value of the findings. He said: "It is fantastic to see the excellent work that Monika Mahajan and Basmah Bushra have carried out, together with all other colleagues. They have worked incredibly hard to deliver these results and show that coffee waste is not a waste at all -- it can be transformed into high-value materials, enhance material circularity in our day-to-day activities and clean the environment."
By using biochar to filter water, the findings have created a low-cost and eco-friendly way to clean water and reuse coffee waste. This practice supports the circular economy and can be scaled up for real-world water treatment.
These findings further showed that using coffee waste is a cheap and widely available material for cleaning heavy metals from contaminated water.
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Original text here: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2025/december/coffee-waste-clean-water/
Langer Graduate Student Symposium Showcases Depth, Breadth of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at Yale
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Dec. 19 -- Yale University issued the following news:
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Langer Graduate Student Symposium showcases depth, breadth of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at Yale
Graduate students in Chemical & Environmental Engineering held the annual 2025 Robert M. Langer Graduate Student Symposium on Dec. 12, showcasing their research in tracking aerosol-based pathogen exposure biotechnology, mechanisms for designing next generation energy materials, engineering of novel polymer and membrane systems for fuel and water separation, machine learning for predicting ice nucleation
... Show Full Article
NEW HAVEN, Connecticut, Dec. 19 -- Yale University issued the following news:
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Langer Graduate Student Symposium showcases depth, breadth of Chemical & Environmental Engineering at Yale
Graduate students in Chemical & Environmental Engineering held the annual 2025 Robert M. Langer Graduate Student Symposium on Dec. 12, showcasing their research in tracking aerosol-based pathogen exposure biotechnology, mechanisms for designing next generation energy materials, engineering of novel polymer and membrane systems for fuel and water separation, machine learning for predicting ice nucleationkinetics, and plasma-coupled electrocatalysis for ammonia synthesis.
The symposium, traditionally organized by a graduate student committee, featured 15-minute talks and a poster session in the Sterling Library Lecture Hall demonstrating the great depth and breadth of science and engineering research at Yale.
Morning keynote speaker Dr. Katherine Ayers, Senior Vice President of Research & Development at Nel Hydrogen and a 2025 CT Women of Innovation Award recipient, delivered a talk on the science of manufacturing electrolyzers at scale. Daniel Esty, the Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law & Policy at the Yale School of Environment and Yale Law School delivered an afternoon keynote aimed at addressing the 21st century sustainability imperative.
Student research presentations were voted on by faculty and students with the award for Best Presentation going to Mitchell Rogers, a fourth year PhD candidate advised by Drew Gentner who studies the impacts of evolving emissions, climate and atmospheric chemistry on air quality. The awards also included a recognition for "Best Italian Ice in Chemical & Environmental Engineering," now a monthly tradition in the department, which this year went to the Kim Lab for their outstanding culinary abilities.
The concept of this student-organized research symposium was initially inspired by Dr. Robert M. Langer (B.S. '45, Ph.D. '52) and former department Chair, Professor John Walz, with the first one taking place in 2003. Dr. Robert Langer was the Vice President and Treasurer of The Badger Company Inc., a leading global engineering firm eventually acquired by Raytheon. His thoughtful donation to Yale established the Robert M. Langer Fund for Chemical & Environmental Engineering, which provides funds for graduate fellowship assistance, faculty research, and visiting professors and lecturers.
Learn more about the talks and speaker bios in the Symposium Booklet (https://engineering.yale.edu/download_file/view/55a56d4f-da55-4c12-ac14-4a1a20e95cb0/3772)
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Original text here: https://engineering.yale.edu/news-and-events/news/langer-graduate-student-symposium-showcases-depth-breadth-chemical-and-environmental-engineering-yale
