JOSHUA OCHEJE
Florida International University, PhD Environmental Chemistry
EREF Scholar 2025
Investigation of Types and Levels of PFAS in Electronic Waste for Effective Solid Waste Management
PFAS are heat- and chemical-resistant compounds used in many electronic components. As electronic waste accumulates in landfills and recycling facilities, the limited understanding of PFAS types and levels in these materials makes safe handling difficult. It increases the risk of leaching into soil and water, with potential health implications for workers and nearby communities. This project addresses that gap by characterizing the PFAS present in common e-waste items, the quantities present, and the rate at which these chemicals can migrate into the environment during disposal or processing. These samples for this research are obtained from circuit boards, phone-screen plastics, monitors, cable wires, keyboards, lithium batteries, and capacitors using a three-part analytical strategy: broad non-target screening to map PFAS diversity; targeted measurements to quantify concentrations, and a Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay to reveal hidden precursors that can transform into PFAS. Samples are leached to simulate real-world release, preconcentrated via solid-phase extraction, and analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The results from this study will inform safer handling, treatment, recycling, and disposal practices, strengthen worker safety protocols, and support evidence-based policies for managing PFAS-containing electronic waste.
Biography
Joshua Ocheje earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Jos in 2012 and a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from Nigeria Premier University (the University of Ibadan) in 2016. These formative years of study sharpened his awareness of the scale of industrial waste releases and the mounting burden of chemical pollutants in the environment. Building on training in spectrometric and other complementary analytical techniques, he is currently pursuing in PhD in Environmental Chemistry at Florida International University under the mentorship of Professor Natalia Soares Quinete.
His research investigates the occurrence, detection, and fate of PFAS in solid waste streams and advances materials-based remediation approaches using metal-organic frameworks. He is a recipient of the Cristina Menedez Student Fellowship and the Nigerian National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Presidential Honors Award (2019). Professionally, he has served as a Lecturer at Salem University (2018-2020) and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (2020-2022), and as a Teaching Assistant at Florida International University (2023-2024). He is currently a Research Assistant at Florida International University (2024-present). His service to the scientific community includes mentoring undergraduate students and high school teachers through the National Science Foundation (NSF) BiORET program, judging student competitions in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and peer-reviewing of manuscripts for journal publication.
