I remember briefly mentioning about Lyon Spring a few months ago, pointing out my prospective internship work on PFAS otherwise known as forever chemicals (initially aimed at quantification of total fluorine by ICP-MS/MS). It never crossed my mind that I would end up digging further on the subject as I am now tasked to work on these very same substances for the next four years. For context, my long-term goal now is to investigate the occurrence and bioavailability of such substances in the terrestrial food chain along a PFAS pollution gradient. Sounds like a lot of work., but I’m very much optimistic, fingers-crossed that I will be able to significantly contribute for environment’s sake. 

At this point, most of my activities are limited to training and preparation i.e. hanging nest boxes for future sampling purposes, thus having multiple visits on PFAS contaminated sites around Antwerp. Except for the cold and occasional downpour, these field work sessions are a welcomed activity these days, primarily because I am a huge hiking fan, which needless to say means I am able to explore around outside, during office hours :)