Angela Harris (PI)
Origin: Atlanta, GA
Degrees: B.S. Georgia Tech, M.S. Stanford University, Ph.D. Stanford University
Interesting Fact: Loves to be in the outdoors, including hiking, kayaking, and snorkeling.
Judy Kays (Research Specialist)
Origin: Wilkes-Barre, PA and Albany, NY
Degrees: BS Food Science, Cornell University, MS Food Microbiology and Safety,
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: 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, BSc 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.
Ben Clark (PhD Student)
Origin: Herndon, VA
Degrees: Pursuing a PhD in Civil Engineering from NC State University; B.S. in Water: Resources, Policy & Management from Virginia Tech
Research interests: Monitoring climatic impacts on pathogen behavior and transport in the environment with molecular and statistical methods.
Interesting fact: I love hiking, fly fishing, and playing soccer!
Alumni
Origin: Raleigh, NC
Degrees: Received a PhD in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University (May 2023), 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!
Degrees: Received B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
Research interests: I am interested in global water sanitation and hygiene in developing countries as a whole and am specifically interested in reuse cases for wastewater.
Interesting fact: I love traveling to new places and have already been to over 14 countries.
Jeremy Lowe (Undergraduate Student)
Origin: Pikeville, North Carolina
Degree: Received a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from North Carolina State University. Started PhD program at UC Berkeley in Environmental Engineering Fall 2022.
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
Degrees: Received 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.
Interesting fact: I’ve run a marathon and I know how to windsurf!
Ramya Balasubramanian (Undergraduate Student)
Origin: Cary, North Carolina
Degrees: Received 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
Interesting fact: I have traveled to 5 continents and hope to visit them all!
Gracie Hornsby
Origin: Franklin, NC
Degrees: Received a B.S. in Civil Engineering with a concentration in water resources, minor in Environmental Science in May 2020 from NC State; Started a PhD in Environmental Engineering at Stanford University in Fall 2020.
Research interests: Investigating ways to identify and quantify contaminants in drinking water, particularly in rural and low-income settings in the developing world. Refining methods for providing ample drinking water through decentralized water collection and filtration systems.
Interesting fact: I plan to section hike the entire Appalachian Trail in my lifetime!
Michaela Hill (Undergraduate Student)
Origin: Albemarle, NC
Degrees: Pursuing a B.S. in Microbiology with a concentration in microbial health science, minor in Genetics from North Carolina State University.
Research Interests: The interaction of disease-causing microorganisms in the environment with the human body and determining the best practices in order to ensure human and environmental health.
Interesting fact: I was a competitive tap dancer for 9 years!
Daniel Cockson (Undergraduate Student)
Origin: Richmond, Virginia
Degrees: Pursuing a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering with a minor in Philosophy from North Carolina State University
Research Interests: Health challenges that transcend national borders and the complex interaction between global and local forces. Furthermore, I am interested in cultural perceptions of health and quality of life.
Interesting Fact: I am a certified stonemason and SCUBA diver.