Tuesday, June 9 at 5:30 pm
This talk explores the presence and impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in harvestable goods—such as fish, arrowhead, and wild rice—across the ceded territories. We’ll examine how these persistent chemicals threaten ecological health and subsistence practices. The discussion will highlight current research, monitoring efforts, and the need for Indigenous-led approaches to address contamination, safeguard traditional foods, and protect cultural lifeways.
Gavin Dehnert is an Emerging Contaminants Scientist with Wisconsin Sea Grant at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His work focuses on contaminants such as PFAS, microplastics, pharmaceuticals in freshwater, and herbicides used in aquatic systems, and how they affect environmental and human health.
He collaborates with state agencies to inform water quality policy, including helping develop Wisconsin’s drinking water standards for PFAS and contributing to herbicide application guidelines that consider impacts on non-target organisms in inland lakes. Dr. Dehnert earned his Ph.D. in Zoology from UW–Madison and a B.S. (magna cum laude) in Marine Science and Biology from the University of Miami.
