"Her expertise traced sources of pollution to industrial and agricultural activity along the rivers that lead to the lake"
"The Southeastern Louisiana University scientist who discovered alarming levels of toxic chemicals in Lake Maurepas was abruptly removed from her research position this week without explanation.
Fereshteh Emami, an analytical chemistry professor who served as a principal investigator on the Air Products Lake Maurepas Monitoring Project, was officially removed from the project Thursday but is still employed by the university. SELU's chemistry department has moved Emami into a full-time teaching role and will not allow her to continue the research she has been doing for the past three years, she said.
Emami said she received a vague email Monday from Kyle Piller, a biology professor and director of the Lake Maurepas research effort, saying he 'terminated' her from the project. He did not include any explanation for the decision and gave a similarly vague response Wednesday when she asked why, according to emails Emami shared with the Illuminator.
'Your continued involvement is no longer in the best interest of the Air Products Lake Maurepas Monitoring Project,' Piller's email stated."
Wesley Muller reports for the Louisiana Illuminator July 31, 2025.
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