PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (March 18, 2025) —Gina Maria Chiarella, Ph.D., an assistant professor in Prairie View A&M University’s Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded a $96,000 grant from the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education to address a critical environmental concern — arsenic contamination in fertilizers.
Gina M. Chiarella, Ph.D.
Chiarella’s research focuses on developing a solution to capture and remove inorganic arsenic using iron compounds. Arsenic contamination is a growing threat to environmental safety and food security, with significant concerns at both state and federal levels. The Department of Homeland Security has identified chemical contamination as a key risk to national security, underscoring the urgency of this work.
By developing practical solutions that improve fertilizer safety, Chiarella’s project aims to reduce environmental risks and contribute to healthier ecosystems and communities.
By Joe McGinty