Moala Bannavti’s innovative research MANY
REDUCES CONTAMINATION IN LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES
vulnerable students are exposed to airborne polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in lowincome schools every day. With no legal requirement to remediate PCBs, these undersupported schools often struggle to pay the expense of identifying and removing these carcinogenic chemicals. Enter Moala Bannavti, a PhD student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, whose research is focused on identifying the source of these PCBs. Her work allows for specific, focused mitigation that is ultimately more costeffective and doesn’t require the demolition of entire buildings. Bannavti has a passion for teaching and research that improves quality of life in communities throughout Iowa and across the country and hopes to join the ranks of engineering faculty once she completes her PhD in December 2022.
22
IOWA ENGINEER 2022
