Priscilla Gannicott, Ph.D.
My research interests are broadly based in the application of analytical instrumentation to answer questions of interest in the areas of environmental and forensic chemistry. The development of instrumental/field methods to examine floral fragrance chemistry, the application of phytoremediation to clean up Pb-contaminated soil, and the assessment of water quality (nutrient dynamics) are currently of significant interest. I thoroughly enjoy and welcome collaboration with students and other faculty who share my passion for chemistry in the lab and in the field.
Current student-faculty research projects include:
Floral fragrance
In collaboration with Dr. Nancy Cowden and students, our current research focuses on the examination of floral fragrance chemistry as it relates to fruit set in Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens populations in order to determine the degree to which floral fragrance variation among individuals affects potential reproductive success. Methods developed in our lab have been extended to numerous other plants of botanical interest.
Illicit drugs in the water
We are investigating the "illicit drug burden" as detected in wastewater influent and effluent. Public health officials could potentially use the results to tailor treatment for specific drugs in a community. In addition, the environmental effects of illicit drugs that are unaffected by the wastewater treatment process are not well understood and worthy of examination.
The demise of College Lake
Since 2005, students and I have been tracking the demise of College Lake through intensive water quality monitoring and assessment protocols. The acquisition of excellent analytical instrumentation has made these analyses feasible and worthy of pursuit.
