Kate E. Manz, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, where she leads the Manz Lab . Her research integrates cutting-edge analytical chemistry and exposomics to understand how chemicals behave in the environment and within human bodies, with a particular focus on PFAS and other emerging contaminants. Education Ph.D. in Energy Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, 2018 M.S. in Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, 2016 B.S. in Chemistry and Psychology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2013 Research Interests Dr Manz’s program is built around three pillars: Natural Chemical Transformation – tracking how pollutants evolve in groundwater and soils under varying redox conditions. Remediation Technologies – developing low-temperature activated-persulfate and carbon-based systems to destroy PFAS and co-occurring contaminants. Human Exposure & Metabolism – coupling non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry with metabolomics to discover novel exposures and understand molecular mechanisms of toxicity. Her work spans water quality , air quality , maternal & child health , and precision environmental health . Scientific Output & Trends Since 2021, Dr Manz has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications. Her 2024-2025 papers emphasize: Large-scale PFAS fate studies in AFFF-impacted soils and microcosms. Clinical and epidemiological cohort analyses (MIREC, HOME, MILES) linking prenatal PFAS mixtures to cardiometabolic and neurodevelopmental outcomes. Methodological advances in exposome burden scoring, non-targeted analysis workflows, and HRMS data harmonization. Translational toxicology using zebrafish and murine models to examine endocrine disruption and neurotoxicity. Honours & Recognition While specific named awards are not detailed in the provided text, Dr Manz’s work has been continuously funded by federal grants (NIH NIEHS, NSF) and is frequently featured in high-impact journals such as Environmental Science & Technology , Journal of Hazardous Materials , and the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology . Advising & Grants Dr Manz currently mentors graduate students, post-doctoral researchers, and undergraduate trainees in the Manz Lab. The lab operates on multiple active R01-level grants aimed at PFAS remediation, exposome mapping, and community-engaged environmental health interventions. Facilities & Collaborations The Manz Lab houses state-of-the-art instrumentation, including: Thermo Scientific Q-Exactive HF-X high-resolution mass spectrometer Automated solid-phase extraction robot for high-throughput sample prep Combustion ion chromatograph for fluorine speciation in complex matrices Collaborative networks span the University of Michigan, Harvard, Emory, and international partners in exposomics and environmental engineering.
