Lorenzo is a PhD candidate at the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney), specializing in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. His research employs systematic reviews and meta-analytic techniques to quantify the impacts of PFAS on wildlife, human, and ecosystem health.
During his PhD, Lorenzo identified a significant research gap: no existing studies addressed and quantified the variability of intergenerational PFAS transfer among bird species. This led him to spearhead a project on maternal PFAS transfer in wild birds, culminating in a publication that won the SETAC Australasia Postgraduate Research 2024 Publication Award.
In his award-winning article, Lorenzo conducted a meta-analysis on maternal PFAS transfer across 16 bird species, revealing pervasive exposure of offspring to PFAS during critical developmental stages. His research not only highlighted the higher maternal transfer rates of longer and heavier PFAS compounds but also the significant predictors of this transfer, such as bird diet and clutch size. Lorenzo’s work underscores the urgent need to address the complex challenges posed by PFAS contamination and its implications for wild species and their ecosystems, inspiring potential solutions. The article also exemplifies the forefront of reproducibility and data integrity.
Ricolfi, L., Taylor, M.D., Yang, Y., Lagisz, M. and Nakagawa, S., 2024. Maternal transfer of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wild birds: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chemosphere, p.142346.
To facilitate future research in identifying and addressing gaps in knowledge, Lorenzo recently published another significant PhD article: a systematic evidence map of reviews on PFAS exposure. The map also included a bibliometric analysis and an interactive web application of the database, enhancing accessibility and usability for researchers and policymakers. Currently, Lorenzo is engaged in two new PhD projects investigating PFAS trophic magnification potentials and PFAS-associated adverse human health outcomes. These projects hold promise for further advancing our understanding of PFAS contamination. Lorenzo is eager to complete his PhD and embark on his professional career.
To stay updated on Lorenzo's work, you can follow him on Google Scholar, Research Gate, X, and Linkedin. To contact Lorenzo, you can also email him at lorenzo.ricolfi@gmail.com or reach out via social networks.
