The average person is estimated to consume up to a credit card’s worth of plastic particles each week. However, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) undergrad Allison Harbolic is now uncovering the effects that our regular intake of nano-sized plastics can have at a critical stage of life — during pregnancy.
Harbolic’s latest research into how nanoplastics impact placental health recently won her prestigious honors from the Society of Toxicology (SOT), an international scientific organization with members from more than 60 countries. Harbolic ’26 was one of just 20 undergraduates nationwide to receive the Society’s “Undergraduate Research Award” at its 64th Annual Meeting and ToxExpo in Orlando, Fla. The award, which supported her conference travel and networking opportunities, marked her second appearance at the Society’s event.
“It was an honor to present at such an established conference in the field of toxicology. I know the research is very relevant right now, but I never expected to be recognized on that stage,” said Harbolic, a biology major and Albert Dorman Honors College Scholar from Hopewell Junction, N.Y. “While there is a push all over social media for choosing cleaner consumer products, plastic exposure is nearly unavoidable. We can’t see these particles, but it’s a huge public health concern.” To read the full story.