Dr. Eguono “Wayne” Omagamre of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore is attracting national attention for his research on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The assistant professor invented a material that can remove PFAS from water, which was a finalist for the 2026 University of Maryland Invention of the Year.
“PFAS research is no longer just about identifying contamination, it is about developing the next generation of strategies to monitor, manage and ultimately reduce exposure. Through our work at UMES, we are contributing to a broader effort to better understand how these contaminants behave in agricultural and environmental systems while developing practical solutions that can help address this growing challenge for ecosystems, agriculture and public health,” Omagamre said.
His invention seeks to enhance PFAS management in an eco-friendly and affordable way. Out of 171 applicants, Omagamre’s invention was one of 12 finalists.
Three PFAS research grants
The largest of Omagamre’s three research awards is a two-year grant for nearly $500,000 from the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry. His project, “Soil-Specific Strategies for Managing PFAS in Maine Agriculture: Integrating Amendments, Seasonal/Management Dynamics,” focuses on investigating how biochar affects PFAS uptake in different Maine soils. Omagamre plans to test how soil type, water conditions and common farm management practices influence whether biochar reduces PFAS movement into forage crops that may be fed to livestock. The goal is to provide practical, science-based guidance to help farmers understand whether biochar can lower PFAS contamination. Results will be shared through simple soil guidance tables and an easy-to-use online tool.
Another two-year grant of nearly $200,000 comes from Maryland SeaGrant on “Geochronology Study of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Deposition and Ecosystem Response in the Chesapeake & Maryland Coastal Bays.” This project focuses on how PFAS accumulate over time, affecting microbial communities, and thus the health, of entire ecosystems near the Choptank River and Maryland Coastal Bays.
He was also awarded nearly $120,000 by the Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology at the University of Maryland to investigate harmful chemicals in Maryland soil, specifically the point at which those chemicals move from soil into food crops, and how to reduce that transfer. Co-PI Berran Rogers, UMES Extension Small Farm Program coordinator, will assist Omagramre in working with farmers on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to complete the research.
This article references project award no. NA24OARX417C0034-T1-01 from Maryland SeaGrant, Q2274905 from Harry R. Hughes Center for Agro-Ecology, University of Maryland, and an award from Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry.
Kara Nuzback, communication and outreach specialist, agricultural communications, School of Agricultural and Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, kanuzback@umes.edu
