A professor at Memorial University’s Department of Chemistry has been recognized as one of three Canadians names to 3M’s list of 25 Women in Science.
Dr. Francesca Kerton is working on using the properties of mussel shells, discarded by the shellfish industry, for use in energy storage and drug delivery.
In 2021, shellfish production in this province was 3,751 tonnes. Memorial University says in most regions, discarded shells and protein end up in the landfill, contributing to the production of greenhouse gases. If dumped in the ocean, the waste can contribute to an overgrowth of algae.
Dr. Kerton’s work is being recognized as one of a number of women who are changing the world through environmental sustainability.