Focused on forever

Marie Ronnander blended research and a passion for the environment as an undergraduate. The Fulbright finalist plans to head to Spain to continue studying "forever chemicals."
April 29, 2025

If you ask Marie Ronnander what drives her, she’ll tell you it’s the way science and research connect to achieving a shared goal with others. A biochemistry major with a Spanish minor, she’s had a college experience shaped by curiosity and a deep commitment to cleaning up the environment. Ronnander is wrapping up her final semester in the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) and will be graduating this spring with an impressive mix of research, writing, and teaching under her belt.

For the past two years, Ronnander conducted research in Professor Larry Wackett’s lab, where she studies enzymes that may help break down per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – persistent environmental pollutants found in many things such as nonstick cookware, waterproof products, and fireproofing. The research focuses on engineering a specialized protein to make it more effective in breaking the notoriously strong carbon-fluorine bonds that keep PFAS in the environment. 

Her interest in the environment was sparked early. She grew up working on a strawberry farm and the farmer was a former biology teacher. He taught her how to love not only the earth, but the tiny things that compose it. Her passion to heal the environment flourished through this experience. “When I find a problem that hypothetically can be solved by working with others, I want to be part of that! It feels good,” she says. “It feels like I’m doing something that’s positive and worth it. It’s not just something I am working on alone.” 

Outside of the lab, Ronnander made the most of her CBS experience. She served as a teaching assistant in Foundations of Biology, the College’s introductory course for majors, for five semesters. This experience has sparked her interest in becoming a professor in the future. On top of that, she was a writer and director for The Wake student literary magazine – sharpening her writing skills and enhancing her interest in science communication. She contributed articles about growing up in the strawberry fields, alternative milks, and the intersection of dance and science.

Ronnander was named a finalist of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and after graduation will work at the University of Girona in Spain with Professor Silvia Osuna, who applies artificial intelligence to enzyme engineering. Looking ahead, Ronnander eventually hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in environmental toxicology while continuing to seek opportunities that combine her interests in science, teaching, and communication. “No matter where this path leads, I hope to solve meaningful problems and build community through science,” she says. –Christy Hazuka