The AJ Birkbeck Scholarship for 2025 was recently awarded to two graduate students who are each working on PFAS research projects at the University of Michigan.

Adedamola Samuel Adenekan is a student at U of M pursuing a PhD degree in Environmental Health Science (toxicology). He currently holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Sciences from New York University Grossman School of Medicine and a Master of Science in Environmental Management and Protection from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta in Nigeria.

Adenekan’s doctoral research focuses on optimizing a low-energy method for PFAS degradation at ambient temperature using persulfate (PS) activated by powdered activated carbon (PAC).

Meaghan Rea is a student at University of Michigan pursuing a PhD in toxicology. She holds a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences from U of M and an undergraduate degree from Michigan State University.

Rea’s doctoral research focuses on understanding a particular aspect of PFAS exposure in pregnant women in order to provide critical context for precision medicine interventions to alleviate health impacts of exposure.

“Adedamola and Meaghan were incredibly impressive candidates for this year’s scholarship program, and we are thrilled to help fund their important research,” noted Dr. Rick Rediske, chair of the AJ Birkbeck Scholarship Committee.  “Research that helps us understand the health effects of PFAS exposure as well as potential remediation of this ‘forever chemical’ is precisely what the scholarship was designed to do, and we are proud to support this year’s scholarship recipients.”

The AJ Birkbeck Scholarship is awarded to students from a Michigan college or university who are working on a PFAS-related research project. Up to two scholarships are awarded each year.  It is sponsored by the Michigan Environmental Council.  Donations to this scholarship fund are gladly accepted.

AJ Birkbeck was an environmental attorney who, together with a small group of citizens, was able to draw attention to PFAS contamination in several areas in and around northern Kent County, caused by waste generated by the Wolverine Worldwide company. The group was able to move the federal government to compel the company to clean up the waste and cause Michigan to adopt the first PFAS regulations in the nation.