# Hawaii student finds coconut-husk fungi that break down plastic 2026-08-15T08:42:59+00:00 | Health & Science | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Hawaii high-school student Vera Wang has found naturally occurring fungi in coconut husks that can biodegrade plastic and sunscreen compounds, according to University of Hawaiʻi News, as reported by The Times of India. Wang began the project in Grade 10, using coconut waste in a filter designed to trap microplastics and sunscreen from seawater. She later studied whether microbes in the husks could also break down the captured pollutants. Working in Anthony Amend’s laboratory at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Wang identified fungi that grew with plastic and sunscreen. Genetic tests found some species absent from a major reference database, suggesting they may be previously uncharacterised. Her project won first place in Microbiology and third place overall at the 2026 Hawaiʻi State Science & Engineering Fair. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Vera Wang Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/hawaii-student-finds-coconut-husk-fungi-that-break-down-plastic/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/hawaii-student-finds-coconut-husk-fungi-that-break-down-plastic/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.