The Pedersen research group studies physicochemical and biophysical processes affecting the behavior of organic molecules, biomolecules, and nanoparticles in terrestrial and aquatic environments. The group’s research emphasizes quantitative and mechanistic studies of the interaction of organic contaminants and macromolecules with environmental interfaces.

Current research topics include:

• processes governing the environmental transmission of prion diseases
• the interaction of polar and ionizable organic molecules with natural organic matter and mineral surfaces
• molecular scale interactions of biomolecules with engineered nanoparticles
• the behavior of and potential toxicity of pharmaceutically active compounds in the environment
• elucidation of molecular mechanisms responsible for sequestration and time-dependent decline in bioavailability of sediment- and soil-associated contaminants