Hawaii teen finds fungi in coconut husks that can biodegrade plastic

Wang’s work, done in the lab of Anthony Amend at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, was recognized at the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Science & Engineering FairWhat started as a high school project to clean polluted ocean water has turned into a promising scientific discovery. Hawaii’s Kaiser High School senior Vera Wang was the first to look into using coconut waste to filter microplastics and sunscreen from seawater, states a news report by University of Hawai'i News. Two years later, her research has taken an interesting turn, with naturally occurring fungi in coconut husks that can break down plastic and sunscreen. Wang’s work, done in the lab of Anthony Amend at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, was recognized at the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Science & Engineering Fair and could lead to new ways t