Weng’s Organic Matter and Water Research Highlighted at SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference

Recent Stony Brook University graduate Alexis Weng '26 was one of more than 280 State University of New York students and educators who took part in the recent 2026 SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC) held at SUNY Upstate Medical University.

The annual conference brings together undergraduate researchers who have worked with faculty mentors on projects on topics including healthcare, environmental sustainability, and human well-being, as well as literature and the social sciences. The 2026 conference featured over 280 students and educators from 33 SUNY campuses.

Weng, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, presented research on organic matter in surface water and the effectiveness of granular activated carbon in removing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), or "forever chemicals" during water treatment processes.

"Dissolved organic matter has been regarded as a 'black box' in many scientific studies due to its high complexity. Alexis is taking the challenge and investigating how structural changes of dissolved organic matter aggregates at different pHs affect different PFAS removal from water," said Zhengyang (Philip) Wang, research scientist at the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology (NYS-CCWT) and Weng's research mentor. "Though more investigations are pending at NYS-CCWT, Alexis could be prying open the black box, as her work can demonstrate how dissolved organic matter fouls GAC in GAC's nanoscale pores. Her study would have significant implications for both academia and industry, potentially boosting more developments in the future to improve PFAS removal efficiency and safeguard public health."

"At all stages of their academic careers, our students are conducting excellent research that will have a positive impact on the lives of New Yorkers," said SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. "The SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference is an opportunity to display the incredible work being done by our students throughout the state, while also providing an opportunity to celebrate their stellar achievements. I commend all of our student researchers, and the faculty that support them, for their work to ensure SUNY is positioned as a national leader in research."

Wang noted that Weng had reached out to NYS-CCWT last year, saying that Long Island's accelerating water-quality decline is an issue she cares deeply about, and the CCWT's approach to refining existing treatment technologies through inventing affordable solutions for contaminant removal aligned with her long-term career goals. Wang also acknowledged the financial support from the New York State Department of Health: "Without the State government's generous support, everything would be impossible for Alexis's research."

The SURC builds on SUNY's efforts to showcase the research being conducted throughout SUNY that saves lives, strengthens the economy and improves security. It also showcases SUNY's commitment to highlighting the excellent research taking place across its campuses, and to achieving Governor Kathy Hochul's goal of doubling research and innovation throughout the SUNY system.