Michael Davern

Department of Chemistry

College of Arts & Sciences
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599
Email: mdavern@unc.edu

Education

Bachelor of Science: Chemistry, Spanish – Wake Forest University (2017-2021)

Anticipated Defense: August 2025

Projects

Article Summarizing Floor Wax Study

Characterizing the Atmospheric Fates of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Using Real-Time Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry, 05/2022-Present

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a persistent and bio-accumulative class of anthropogenic compounds. To date, >9,000 unique PFAS have been identified, though little is known about their atmospheric transformations and transport. Using chemical ionization mass spectrometry, a real-time air sampling method will be developed to monitor air quality and quantify PFAS compounds. Furthermore, oxidation lab studies will guide predictions for likely atmospheric transformations of PFAS, allowing for more comprehensive understanding of the lifetimes and transport of these compounds.

BioMask Efficiency Testing, 2/2022-05/2022

The objective of this project was to evaluate the particle removal efficiency of a novel bio-derived synthetic material intended for face masks. NaCl particles were generated and passed through the biomask, blue surgical masks and N95 masks.

Publications

Davern, M. J.; Hu, Y.; West, G. V.; Kim, Y.; Francini, M. H.; Morrison, G. C.; Zhang, Y.; Turpin, B. J.; Surratt, J. D. Online Iodide Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (I-CIMS) Enables Occupational Inhalation Exposure Assessment of 6:2 Fluorotelomer Alcohol (6:2 FTOH) Emitted to Air during Floor Waxing. Environ. Sci. Technol. Lett. 2025, acs.estlett.5c00258. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.5c00258.

Eichler, C. M. A.; Davern, M. J.; Surratt, J. D.; Morrison, G. C.; Turpin, B. J. Fluorotelomer Alcohol (FTOH) Emission Rates from New and Old Rain Jackets to Air Determined by Iodide High-Resolution Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry. Indoor Environments 2024, 1 (4), 100055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indenv.2024.100055.

Davern, M. J.; West, G. V.; Eichler, C. M. A.; Turpin, B. J.; Zhang, Y.; Surratt, J. D. External Liquid Calibration Method for Iodide Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry Enables Quantification of Gas-Phase Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Dynamics in Indoor Air. Analyst 2024, 10.1039.D4AN00100A. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4AN00100A.

Karlsson, E. E.; Hu, J.-H.; Davern, M. J.; Cong, Y.; Yan, J.; Surratt, J. D.; Zhukhovitskiy, A. V. Development of Bioderived Alternatives to N95 Face Masks in a Remote Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience. J. Chem. Educ. 2022, 99 (9), 3196–3202. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.2c00532.

Evans, B. A.; Bausch, M. D.; Sienerth, K. D.; Davern, M. J. Non-Monotonicity in the Influence of Nanoparticle Concentration on SAR in Magnetic Nanoparticle Hyperthermia. J. Magn. Magn. Mater. 2018, 465, 559–565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2018.06.051.