Student Spotlight
As a senior double major in Biological Sciences and Neuroscience with a minor in Chemistry, Sam Pruhs has spent the last two and a half years diving deep into environmental and biological research in Dr. John Berges’ lab. His work focuses on understanding how pollutants impact aquatic ecosystems by investigating how microplastics and PFAS interact within an invasive Lake Michigan shrimp species, Hemimysis anomala. Sam’s projects, supported by two SURF awards and independent research semesters, have advanced our understanding of how these persistent contaminants move through aquatic food webs.
Outside the lab, Sam brings the same dedication to serving others. A Navy veteran, he volunteers as a dental assistant at a clinic supporting uninsured patients and with the United Service Organizations (USO) to assist active-duty service members. Now applying to dental schools, he hopes to continue combining his love for research with his passion for helping others.
When Sam is not in the lab or volunteering, you will find him outdoors, hiking or mountain biking to recharge for whatever challenge comes next!