Wentworth’s Poya Connects Green Chemistry Research and Hands-On Learning

Professor Yalinu Poya with the "Leo" prop she used with students

Whether presenting research in Tokyo or leading forensic science activities for high school students, Wentworth Professor Yalinu Poya connects green chemistry to both global research and hands-on learning.

This month, Poya received the best presentation award at the 15th International Conference on Chemistry and Chemical Process (ICCCP 2026) in Tokyo for her work, "Evaluating the Influence of Oxide Supports for Cobalt Rhenium Catalysts for Ammonia Synthesis."

"The ICCCP is a premier forum for discussing chemical engineering and chemistry, focusing on interdisciplinary research, including chemical processes and new technologies," Poya said.

The Tokyo award is one of several recent accomplishments for the School of Sciences and Humanities professor. She recently secured a Launch Grant to support a new project in green chemistry and published two articles in the Royal Society of Chemistry Sustainability (RSCSus) journal as part of the themed collection "Chemical Education for Global Sustainability."

One article, "Embedding UN SDGs in Chemistry Education through Project-Based Learning: Insights from Case Studies in the UK and USA," examines how sustainability can be more intentionally woven into STEM education. The case studies draw on curriculum she designed at the University of the West of Scotland and courses she developed at Wentworth.

"It shows how students use core chemistry concepts to tackle real sustainability challenges and build strong interdisciplinary skills," Poya said.

Another recent article, "A Sustainability Approach to Inquiry-Based Experiential Chemistry Education in Pre-College Programs," draws on her work with young learners on Wentworth's campus. The article highlights the hands-on, inquiry-based modules she developed for two pre-college programs, Momentum and ImpactLab, which connect core chemistry concepts to real-world sustainability challenges.

"This publication reflects my passion for developing hands-on activities to help students experience chemistry as an investigative, creative, and sustainability-driven science," she said.

In the Momentum lab, high school students tackled "The Case of Leo the Missing Leopard," using forensic chemistry techniques to solve a mystery. With the help of a toy leopard named Leo, students explored UV fluorescence, the basics of DNA analysis, fingerprinting, and bone examination.

In ImpactLab, Poya guided students through a three-day series on how chemistry supports climate-resilient cities. Students investigated ocean acidification, analyzed soil and water ecosystems, and synthesized biodiesel from vegetable oil while discussing how green chemistry can reduce dependence on fossil fuels.