People
WaSH People
Harris Research Group
Judy Kays (Research Assistant)
Origin: Wilkes-Barre, PA and Albany, NY
Degrees: BS in Food Science from Cornell University and MS in Food Microbiology and Safety from University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Interests: Microbial ecology, antimicrobial resistance and other survival mechanisms in foodborne and waterborne pathogens, wastewater-based epidemiology
Interesting Fact: I used to run a meatball factory’s quality control laboratory in the heart of Chicago’s meatpacking district
Origin: Wilkes-Barre, PA and Albany, NY
Degrees: BS in Food Science from Cornell University and MS in Food Microbiology and Safety from University of Wisconsin-Madison
Research Interests: Microbial ecology, antimicrobial resistance and other survival mechanisms in foodborne and waterborne pathogens, wastewater-based epidemiology
Interesting Fact: I used to run a meatball factory’s quality control laboratory in the heart of Chicago’s meatpacking district
A B M Tanvir Pasha (PhD Student)
Origin: Jamalpur, Bangladesh
Degrees: Pursuing PhD in Civil Engineering ( projected graduation: May 2023) from North Carolina State University, MS in Civil Engineering from University of Texas at San Antonio, BS in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Professionals.
Research Interests: My primary research interest is fecal pollution source tracking of surface and sub-surface waters. Also, I am interested in studying the persistence of microorganisms in different media.
Interesting Fact: I love soccer and traveling.
Origin: Jamalpur, Bangladesh
Degrees: Pursuing PhD in Civil Engineering ( projected graduation: May 2023) from North Carolina State University, MS in Civil Engineering from University of Texas at San Antonio, BS in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Professionals.
Research Interests: My primary research interest is fecal pollution source tracking of surface and sub-surface waters. Also, I am interested in studying the persistence of microorganisms in different media.
Interesting Fact: I love soccer and traveling.
Sean Daly (PhD Student)
Origin: Raleigh, NC
Degrees: Pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University, B.S. in Environmental Science from Appalachian State (Minors: Mathematics, Geology)
Research Interests: My general research interests revolve around global water sanitation and hygiene in developing communities. Also, I am interested in responsible management and innovative use of water resources in both developed and developing nations.
Interesting Fact: I have 29 first cousins!
Origin: Raleigh, NC
Degrees: Pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University, B.S. in Environmental Science from Appalachian State (Minors: Mathematics, Geology)
Research Interests: My general research interests revolve around global water sanitation and hygiene in developing communities. Also, I am interested in responsible management and innovative use of water resources in both developed and developing nations.
Interesting Fact: I have 29 first cousins!
Temi Ibitoye (PhD Student)
Origin: Bowie, Maryland
Degrees: Pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Engineering & Sustainability from the University of Maryland Baltimore County
Research Interests: My research interests include water, sanitation, and hygiene in low- and middle-income communities. I’m interested in providing clean drinking water by developing innovative, affordable, and locally managed treatment technologies.
Interesting Fact: I’ve traveled to over 10 countries!
Origin: Bowie, Maryland
Degrees: Pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University, B.S. in Chemical Engineering with a concentration in Environmental Engineering & Sustainability from the University of Maryland Baltimore County
Research Interests: My research interests include water, sanitation, and hygiene in low- and middle-income communities. I’m interested in providing clean drinking water by developing innovative, affordable, and locally managed treatment technologies.
Interesting Fact: I’ve traveled to over 10 countries!
Julia Harrison (PhD Student)
Origin: Wilkesboro, NC
Degrees: Pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University, B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: I’m interested in the water quality of natural systems and improving the methods of measuring fecal bacteria to better inform communities on the quality of their water bodies
Interesting Fact: I’ve had a lot of farm animal pets!
Origin: Wilkesboro, NC
Degrees: Pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University, B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: I’m interested in the water quality of natural systems and improving the methods of measuring fecal bacteria to better inform communities on the quality of their water bodies
Interesting Fact: I’ve had a lot of farm animal pets!
Olivia V. (PhD Student)
Origin: Camuy, Puerto Rico
Degrees: Pursuing a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University; B.S. Honors degree in Psychology from Colorado State University; M.S. in Geography from Memorial University of Newfoundland
Research Interests: Researching creative engagement strategies to enhance the capacity of communities to recover from disaster or mitigate hazards.
Interesting Fact: I hand embroider doggy bandanas (which I also sew) and make my dog his own squeaker bone toys.
Origin: Camuy, Puerto Rico
Degrees: Pursuing a Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management from North Carolina State University; B.S. Honors degree in Psychology from Colorado State University; M.S. in Geography from Memorial University of Newfoundland
Research Interests: Researching creative engagement strategies to enhance the capacity of communities to recover from disaster or mitigate hazards.
Interesting Fact: I hand embroider doggy bandanas (which I also sew) and make my dog his own squeaker bone toys.
Jeremy Lowe (Undergraduate Student)
Origin: Pikeville, North Carolina
Degree: Pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: Exploring the determinants of fecal contamination and water access in low- and middle-income countries.
Fun fact: I love to run and cycle!
Origin: Pikeville, North Carolina
Degree: Pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: Exploring the determinants of fecal contamination and water access in low- and middle-income countries.
Fun fact: I love to run and cycle!
Kendall Zorn (Undergraduate Student)
Origin: Asheville, North Carolina
Degree: Pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: Modeling the risks to human health from multi-source fecal contamination to irrigation water.
Fun fact: I’ve run a marathon and I know how to windsurf!
Origin: Asheville, North Carolina
Degree: Pursuing a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: Modeling the risks to human health from multi-source fecal contamination to irrigation water.
Fun fact: I’ve run a marathon and I know how to windsurf!
Ramya Balasubramanian (Undergraduate Student)
Origin: Cary, North Carolina
Degree: Pursuing a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with minors in Biotechnology and Spanish from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: Improving detection of microbial contamination in water sources in low and middle-income countries and understanding the routes by which contamination occurs and can be prevented
Fun fact: I have traveled to 5 continents and hope to visit them all!
Origin: Cary, North Carolina
Degree: Pursuing a B.S. in Chemical Engineering with minors in Biotechnology and Spanish from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: Improving detection of microbial contamination in water sources in low and middle-income countries and understanding the routes by which contamination occurs and can be prevented
Fun fact: I have traveled to 5 continents and hope to visit them all!
De los Reyes' Research Group
Yi-Chun Lai (PhD student)
Origin: Taoyuan, Taiwan
Degrees: BS in Environmental Science from National Tsing Hua University and MS in Environmental Engineering from National Taiwan University
Research Interests: Microbial harvesting
Interesting Fact: I played on the badminton team in undergraduate
Origin: Taoyuan, Taiwan
Degrees: BS in Environmental Science from National Tsing Hua University and MS in Environmental Engineering from National Taiwan University
Research Interests: Microbial harvesting
Interesting Fact: I played on the badminton team in undergraduate
Savanna Smith (PhD student)
Origin: Kealakekua, HI and Rockport, TX
Degrees: BS in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, pursuing her PhD
Research Interests: Microbial community ecology in engineered bioreactors
Interesting Fact: My family used to have a herd of woolless sheep to keep the pasture vegetation in control
Origin: Kealakekua, HI and Rockport, TX
Degrees: BS in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, pursuing her PhD
Research Interests: Microbial community ecology in engineered bioreactors
Interesting Fact: My family used to have a herd of woolless sheep to keep the pasture vegetation in control
Jenny Ding (PhD student)
Origin: Chengdu, China
Degrees: BS in Environmental Engineering from Jiangnan University and MS in Environmental Engineering from University of Arizona
Research Interests: Volatile Fatty Acids from Anaerobic Degradation
Interesting Fact: I have synesthesia so I see colors and textures for numbers and words
Origin: Chengdu, China
Degrees: BS in Environmental Engineering from Jiangnan University and MS in Environmental Engineering from University of Arizona
Research Interests: Volatile Fatty Acids from Anaerobic Degradation
Interesting Fact: I have synesthesia so I see colors and textures for numbers and words
Sivaranjani Palani (PhD student)
Origin: Chennai, India
Degrees: B.E. in Civil Engineering from Anna University, MCE inc Environmental Engineering from University of Delaware. Pursuing Ph.D. in Microbiology.
Research Interests: Microbial ecology and mathematical modeling of microbial communities in anaerobic digesters
Interesting Fact: I am a painting artist and have also been collecting unique keychains for the past 10 years.
Origin: Chennai, India
Degrees: B.E. in Civil Engineering from Anna University, MCE inc Environmental Engineering from University of Delaware. Pursuing Ph.D. in Microbiology.
Research Interests: Microbial ecology and mathematical modeling of microbial communities in anaerobic digesters
Interesting Fact: I am a painting artist and have also been collecting unique keychains for the past 10 years.
Emma Guertin (MS student)
Origin: Hubbardston, MA
Degrees: BS in Civil Engineering from University of Massachusetts Amherst
Research Interests: Optimization of methane production from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and municipal solid waste
Interesting Fact: I just started Krav Maga training
Origin: Hubbardston, MA
Degrees: BS in Civil Engineering from University of Massachusetts Amherst
Research Interests: Optimization of methane production from anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and municipal solid waste
Interesting Fact: I just started Krav Maga training
Seraphim Falterman (MS student)
Origin: Richmond, VA
Degrees: BS in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University
Research Interests: Thermal hydrolysis processes as pretreatments for anaerobic co-digestion substrates. Anaerobic digestion and co-digestion with fats, oils, and grease.
Interesting Fact: I love to ride my bike and used to love to take long trips. One summer, I went from Savannah, GA to Los Angeles, CA
Origin: Richmond, VA
Degrees: BS in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University
Research Interests: Thermal hydrolysis processes as pretreatments for anaerobic co-digestion substrates. Anaerobic digestion and co-digestion with fats, oils, and grease.
Interesting Fact: I love to ride my bike and used to love to take long trips. One summer, I went from Savannah, GA to Los Angeles, CA
Monica Matekenya (MS student)
Origin: Lilongwe, Malawi
Degrees: BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Malawi
Research Interests: Co-digestion of agricultural waste and risk assessment of pathogen contamination
Interesting Fact: I speak three languages yet I can’t speak my tribal language
Origin: Lilongwe, Malawi
Degrees: BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Malawi
Research Interests: Co-digestion of agricultural waste and risk assessment of pathogen contamination
Interesting Fact: I speak three languages yet I can’t speak my tribal language
Alvin Mutongi (Undergraduate)
Origin: Charlotte, NC
Degrees: Pursuing BS in Civil Engineering from NC State University
Research Interests: Techno-Economic Analysis of Anaerobic Co-Digestion
Origin: Charlotte, NC
Degrees: Pursuing BS in Civil Engineering from NC State University
Research Interests: Techno-Economic Analysis of Anaerobic Co-Digestion
Jocelyn Tsai (Staff, Global WaSH Cluster Coordinator)
Origin: St. Louis, MO
Degrees: BA in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, MEM Water Resources Management from Duke University
Research Interests: Development and commercialization of sustainable and affordable pit latrine emptying technologies that help serve the sanitation needs of billions.
Interesting Fact: I play very large drums
Origin: St. Louis, MO
Degrees: BA in Biology from Washington University in St. Louis, MEM Water Resources Management from Duke University
Research Interests: Development and commercialization of sustainable and affordable pit latrine emptying technologies that help serve the sanitation needs of billions.
Interesting Fact: I play very large drums
Amanda Karam (PhD student)
Origin: Raleigh, NC
Degrees: BS in Environmental Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and MS in Environmental Engineering from NC State University
Research Interests: Photosynthetic Bioreactors
Origin: Raleigh, NC
Degrees: BS in Environmental Science from UNC-Chapel Hill and MS in Environmental Engineering from NC State University
Research Interests: Photosynthetic Bioreactors
Walt Beckham (Research Technician)
Origin: Charlotte, NC
Degrees: BS in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University
Research Interests: Hygienic and Effective Pit Emptying
Origin: Charlotte, NC
Degrees: BS in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University
Research Interests: Hygienic and Effective Pit Emptying
Abel Getachew (HS researcher, NC School of Science and Mathematics)
Ercumen Research Group
Caitlin Niven (MS)
Origin: Durham, NC
Degrees: BS in Public Health Biology from Elon University
Research Interests: Environmental transmission of STH and waterborne pathogens
Interesting Fact: I went to cooking school before finishing undergrad
Degrees: BS in Public Health Biology from Elon University
Research Interests: Environmental transmission of STH and waterborne pathogens
Interesting Fact: I went to cooking school before finishing undergrad
Jesse Contreras (Postdoctoral)
Origin: Eustace, TX
Degrees: BS in Public Health from University of Texas at Austin, PhD and MPH Epidemiology from University of Michigan
Research Interests: I am interested in applying concepts from political ecology, environmental justice, and social epidemiology to the study of sanitation, wastewater reuse, and global health
Interesting Fact: My first job was cleaning concrete tools for my dad at around the age of six and I was paid $1 an hour
Degrees: BS in Public Health from University of Texas at Austin, PhD and MPH Epidemiology from University of Michigan
Research Interests: I am interested in applying concepts from political ecology, environmental justice, and social epidemiology to the study of sanitation, wastewater reuse, and global health
Interesting Fact: My first job was cleaning concrete tools for my dad at around the age of six and I was paid $1 an hour
Skyler Price (BS)
Origin: Hillsborough, NC
Degrees: BS in Environmental Science at NC State
Research Interests: Environmental transmission of infectious diseases, impacts of livestock operations on microbiological water quality
Interesting Fact: My cat is named after Tobias Funke, a character on the tv show Arrested Development
Degrees: BS in Environmental Science at NC State
Research Interests: Environmental transmission of infectious diseases, impacts of livestock operations on microbiological water quality
Interesting Fact: My cat is named after Tobias Funke, a character on the tv show Arrested Development
Charanya Srinivasan (BS)
Origin: Cary, NC
Degrees: BS in Environmental Science and BS in Political Science at NC State
Research Interests: Effects that domestic or animal feeding operations have on water quality
Interesting Fact: I have been an Indian classical dancer for over 13 years.
Origin: Cary, NC
Degrees: BS in Environmental Science and BS in Political Science at NC State
Research Interests: Effects that domestic or animal feeding operations have on water quality
Interesting Fact: I have been an Indian classical dancer for over 13 years.