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“Winning the Dr. Rengao Song Water Research Scholarship is both an incredible honor and a meaningful affirmation of my commitment to the water industry. The scholarship gives me a strong sense of encouragement to have my academic work, research, and vision recognized by respected professionals in the field.”
Mercy Kangogo shared her gratitude shortly after accepting the award at the Water Professionals Conference in Knoxville last month. The $10,000 scholarship will help the Tennessee State University graduate student earn her PhD in engineering and computational sciences.
Louisville Water Company partnered with the Kentucky/Tennessee (KY/TN) Section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) to create the Rengao Song Scholarship in 2021. It honors Dr. Song, a Louisville Water retiree, for his commitment to excellence in water quality, while supporting a student that embodies his same spirit and aspirations.
Kangogo is visibly passionate about her studies.
“My research focuses on water and wastewater treatment, with a particular emphasis on contaminant removal and improving access to clean, safe water,” Kangogo said.
More specifically, she’s delving into a complex topic that’s under the national microscope.
“I am exploring the application of machine learning techniques in modeling the transport of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the aqueous phase. The idea of PFAS can be quite complicated. It’s a contaminant of growing concern and everybody’s trying to figure out how to manage it,” Kangogo explained.
Louisville Water has actively tested for PFAS for more than a decade and meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s standards. Continuous monitoring and research like Kangogo’s are critical in guiding effective treatment strategies.
Kangogo said, “PFAS are a group of chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. Their persistence in the environment and potential health impacts make them a significant public health and environmental concern. By integrating machine learning technologies, I aim to improve predictive capabilities, enhance risk assessment, and support decision-making for contamination mitigation.”
Kangogo said the Rengao Song Scholarship not only allows her to pursue her own research and goals but says the annual award “is helping to cultivate the next generation of water professionals who are committed to solving environmental challenges. Thank you for believing in my potential and for helping me move one step closer to my goal of making clean and safe water accessible to all.”
It seems only fitting that Kangogo begins her second semester into her PhD studies during August which is National Water Quality Month.
