Student Research Team
Graduate Students (Committee Chair)
| Brittany Mc Intyre | Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Sargassum. Pursuing a PhD degree in Environmental Science and Policy. |
| Cristina Fayad Martinez | Evaluation of Children’s Exposure to Dust. Pursuing a PhD degree in Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering. |
| Hekai Zhang | Relationships between PFAS and Physical-Chemical Parameters in Landfill Leachate. 2023, Degree: PhD in Civil (Environmental) Engineering. |
| Yutao Chen | Landfill Leachate Treatment of PFAS. 2023, Degree: PhD in Civil (Environmental) Engineering. |
| Afeefa Abdool-Ghany | Aerosolization of bacteria due to wind and waves and beneficial uses of Sargassum. 2023, Degree: PhD in Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering. |
| Larissa Montas | Oil Spill Chemical Distributions in Beach Environments.2022, Degree: PhD in Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering. |
| Peter Sahwell | Aerosolization of Enterococci in a Laboratory Bubbler System and Implications for the Transfer of Microbes Across the Air-Sea Interface. 2020, Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering. |
| Elizabeth Kelly | A Spatial analysis of Beach Management Practices and their Impacts on Bacterial Water Quality. 2019, Degree: PhD in Ecosystem Science and Policy. |
| Amir Abdelzaher | Microbes at a Non-point Source Sub/Tropical Recreational Marine Beach and Their Implications on Human Health and Beach Monitoring Practices. 2010Degree: PhD in Civil (Environmental) EngineeringConcentration of Bacteria and Viruses from Marine Waters Using a Dual Membrane System. 2007Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering. |
| Abdel Fattah Hasan | Studies on Weathered Waterborne Treated Wood: Leaching of Metals during Service and Metals Based Detection upon Recycle. 2006Degree: PhD in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Mary (Durbin) Wright | Evaluation of Enterococci, an Indicator Microbe, and the Sources that Impact the Water Quality at a Subtropical Non-Point Source Recreational Beach. 2008Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Amy Omae | A Chemical Stain-Identify Arsenic-Treated Wood. 2006Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Samir Elmir | Development Of A Water Quality Model Which Incorporates Non-Point Microbial Sources. 2006Degree: PhD in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Tomoyuki Shibata | Dislodgeable and Leachable Arsenic from In-Service and Recycled CCA-Treated Wood that Potentially Impacts Humans. 2006.Degree: PhD in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Gary Jacobi | The Extent of CCA-treated wood in Consumer Mulches and Evaluation of Technologies-Remove Treated Wood from Recycled Construction and Demolition Wood Waste. 2005Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Timothy Desmarais | Sources and Behavior of Fecal Indicator Organisms in an Urban, Sub-tropical River System. 2001Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Michael Zygnerski | A Comparison of Microbial Indicators within a Subtropical Water Body. 2002Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Naila Hosein | The Environmental Impacts of CCA-treated Wood and the Implementation of an Online Sorting System for its Separation from C&D Waste Piles. 2001Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Bernine Khan | Quantification, Speciation, and Impact of Arsenic Leaching from In-Service and Disposed CCA-Treated Wood on the Environment. 2004Degree: PhD in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Walter Wilcox | A Hydrologic And Stable Isotope Study Of East Everglades National Park And The West Wellfield Of Miami. 2000Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Alberto Herrera | A Limnological and Isotopic Study of Two Rock Mining Lakes. 2000Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Mark Nemeth | Use of the Reach Transmissivity Leakage Relationship-Quantify the Exchange Between Groundwater and Surface Water. 2000Degree: PhD in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Monika (Kormienko) Blassino | Sorting Technologies for CCA Treated Wood Waste. 1999Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Vandin Calitu | Disposal Forecast for CCA-Treated Wood Products and Solvent Extraction for CCA-Treated Wood Ash. 1999Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Melinda Wolfert | Sources of E.coli-a Tidally Influenced River. 1998Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Jennifer Penha | CCA Treated Wood: Generation and Disposal Quantities in Florida and Available Management Options. 1998Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
| Shondra Neumeister | Cryptosporidiosis Within a Large Urban Community: Epidemiological and Water Quality Investigation. 1997Degree: MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering |
Post-Doctoral Associates
Larissa Montas, Sources of enterococci to Miami Beach and Coliphage analysis of wastewater reuse water. 2022-2023
Amir Abdelzaher, Coastal marine water quality. 2010-2011
Tomoyuki Shibata, Environmental measurements during epidemiologic study. 2008
Guoqing He, Hydrologic measurements in the Florida Everglades. 2007-2008
Richard Snyder. Staphylococcus aureus measurements in sand and shoreline waters at a subtropical beach site. 2006
Yang Deng. Hydrologic measurements in the Florida Everglades. 2006-2007
Dan Meeroff. Relationships Between Water and Poverty in Latin America including a Case Study within San Pedro Sula, Honduras. 2003
Other Project Supervision
Graduate Projects
Tejan Joshi. Coliphage Removal through Treatment Systems at the South District Wastewater Treatment Plant. Masters of Civil (Environmental) Engineering. 2022.
Junfei Xia. Oil Exposure Dates from Chemical Concentration Measures. Masters of Ocean Sciences. 2018-2020.
Yutao Chen. PFAS in Landfill Leachate. Masters of Civil (Environmental) Engineering. 2018-2019.
Hekai Zhang. PFAS in Landfill Leachate. Masters of Civil (Environmental) Engineering. 2018-2019.
Peter Sahwell. Bacteria at Beaches. Masters of Civil (Environmental) Engineering. 2019-2020.
Hannah Perone. Toxicology of Oil Spill Chemicals. Masters of Public Health. 2017-2018
Henry Barreras. Analysis of Beach Water Quality Data for Monroe County, Florida. Masters of Public Health. 2013-2018
Elizabeth Kelly. Beach Management Practices in South Florida. Certificate in GIS. 2012-2013
Jose Bazante. Surface Water Flow Characteristics Near Tree Islands in Everglades National Park. MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering. 2002-2011
Michael Laas. Hydrologic Measurements in the Vicinity of Tree Islands Within Everglades National Park. MS in Civil (Environmental) Engineering. 2003-2007
Danielle Miller. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Regulatory Division South Permits Branch, Master’s Internship for the Dept of Marine Affairs and Policy, Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science. 2003
Jeff Rogers. Estimation of Surface Runoff from a Small Catchment in South Florida. Master’s Project for Dept of Civil, Arch., and Environmental Engineering. 2001-2002
Michael Laas. Use of Ascorbic Acid Stain for Identifying Arsenic in Treated Wood. Master’s Project for Dept. of Civil, Arch., and Environmental Engineering. 2004-2007
Undergraduate Thesis
Nichole Johnson. Fibropapillomatosis of C. mydas and Trends in Water Quality in the Archipelagos of the Florida Keys and the State of Hawaii. 2015
Matthew Phillips. Pore Water and Microbe Releases from Sand Located in the Intertidal Zone. 2009-2010
Rafael Hernandez. Effects of Full-Scale Beach Renovation on Fecal Indicator Levels in Shoreline Sand and Water. 2009-2011
Ashish Shah. Inhibition of Aggregation of Alzheimer’s Amyloid-Beta Peptide via Small Peptide Interactions: A Computational Study. 2010
Daphne Georgiadis. Detection of Arsenic on Treated Wood Using Two Chemical Stains and a Commercially Available Arsenic Test Kit. 2001-2002
Undergraduate Projects
Yasiel Hernandez, Biology Major – Enterococci within pore water from the intertidal zone, 2008-2013.
Rafael Hernandez, Biology Major – Enterococci within pore water from the intertidal zone, 2008-2013.
Jennifer Loschak, Environmental Science Major – A Limnological Study of A Rock Mining Lake, 1998
Catalina Santamaria, Environmental Science Major – Policies and Regulations Associated with CCA-Treated Wood, 1997-1999
Naila Hosein, Environmental Science Major – A Limnological Study of a Rock Mining Lake, 1998
Laura Cherney, Environmental Science Major – Environmental Impacts Internship with Dames and Moore
Larissa Montas, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major – Cryptosporidium analysis in bottom sediments. Special Topics.
Undergraduate Researchers
Eric Saba. Environmental Engineering Major. Arsenic mass balance. 2024 to present.
Melanie Cerna. Environmental Engineering Major at FIU. Arsenic risk assessment. 2023 to present.
Kevin Huang. Environmental Engineering Major. Arsenic mass balance. 2023 to present.
Isabella Tavarez. Environmental Engineering Major. Fungi in beach sand and colphage analysis. Summer 2023.
Sofia Hoffman. Environmental Engineering Major. Sargassum emissions and coliphage analysis. Summer 2023.
Ashna Ahya. Public Health Major. Wastewater reuse and coliphage analysis. 2022-2023.
Aarohi Talati. Microbiology and Immunology Major. Wastewater reuse and coliphage analysis. 2022-2023.
Katelyn Arista. Geology Major. Dust project. 2022-2023.
Olutosin Lawal. Public Health Major. SARS-CoV-2 data assessment and evaluation of nozzles for collection of wastewater. 2022-2023.
Ashley Quijada. Environmental Engineering Major. Water quality at Miami Beach and coliphage analysis of wastewater reuse water. 2022-2023.
Rivka Reiner. Environmental Engineering Major. Water quality at Miami Beach. 2022 to present.
Collette Thomas. Biomedical Engineering Major. SARS-CoV-2 and Dust project. 2021-2023.
Tori Thomas. Biomedical Engineering Major. SARS-CoV-2 and Dust project. 2021-2022.
Elizabeth Gabriele. Architectural Engineering Major. Dust project. May 2021 to present.
Ryu Nitta. Mechanical Engineering Major. Dust project. 2021-2023.
Gabriella Cosculluela. Public Health Major. SARS-CoV-2 project. 2021-2022.
Felix Nguyen. Biochemistry Major. SARS-CoV-2 project. 2021-2022.
Erik Lamm. Civil Engineering Major. SARS-CoV-2 and Miami Beach project. 2021-2023.
Ella Jacobs. Biomedical Engineering Major. Evaluation of green sea turtle standings and relations between water quality and fibropapilloma expression. 2020-2021.
Danni Mackler. Environmental Engineering Major. COVID project. 2019.
Luis Sosa. Electrical and Computer Engineering Major. Bacteria in Aerosols. 2018-2019.
Trent D’Alessio. Environmental Engineering Major. Bacteria in Aerosols. 2018-2019.
David Cohen. Electrical and Computer Engineering Major. Laboratory experiments to evaluate naled degradation. 2018-2019.
Matthew Roca, Geology Major. Sediment size distributions. Coliphage, Miami Beach, Dust. 2019-present.
Lara Tomenchok, Environmental Engineering Major. Beach survey and sediment size distributions. 2018-2020.
Madeline Keep, Environmental Engineering Major. PFAS in landfill leachate. 2017-2018.
Nakiya Clausell. Environmental Engineering Major. Evaluation of Zika pesticide naled in the environment. 2017-2019.
Amanda Sanabria. Biomedical Engineering Major. Evaluation of Zika pesticide naled in the environment. 2017-2018.
Francisco Alberdi. Civil Engineering Major. Evaluation of Zika pesticide naled in the environment. 2017-2019.
Athena Jones and Juniper Marini. Environmental Engineering Major. Wood waste disposal in Florida. 2015-2017.
Alec Rodriguez, Jasmine Perez, Miguel Amezcua, Eugenio Victoria, Justin Miller, Michelle Acherman. Civil and Environmental Engineering Majors. Development of a Stormwater Management Model to Mitigate the Effects of Increased Rain Intensity from Climate Change on the Almendares Watershed in Havana, Cuba. 2015-2015.
Hannah Lockwood. Environmental Engineering Major. Evaluation of beach management practices for 316 Florida beaches. 2015-2016.
Jennifer Black. Environmental Engineering Major. Children’s risk assessment of oil spill contaminants at marine beaches in the context of the Deep Horizon oil spill. 2015-2016.
Jennifer Welday. Environmental Engineering Major. Risk assessment of arsenic contamination at children’s baseball fields. 2015-2016.
Miguel Amezcua, Leonard Barrera, Sergio Claure, Eric Antmann, Alec Rodriguez. Civil and Environmetnal Engineering Majors and Eric Milton Electrical and Computer Engineering Major- Non-point sources of nitrogen and phosphorus to the Almendares River and impacts to lake water quality. 2014-2015.
Miguel Amezcua, Leonard Barrera, Sergio Claure, and Eric Antmann. Civil and Environmental Engineering Majors – Oxygen-Balance Analysis and Remediation of the Upper Almendares River via Georelational methods. The group won first place in the 2014 Cuba Infrastructure Challenge. They were also each chosen to serve as Cuban Heritage Collection scholars and as a result each was awarded a scholarship for their work. 2013-2014.
Nicole Johnson, Marine Science Major. Analysis of beach sampling programs in Florida. Turtle virus research. Fall 2014-present.
Allison Donahue, Marine Science Major. Analysis of Florida beach characteristics from Google images. Fall 2012-present.
Sathvika Ramaji, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Development of on-line beach management survey. Summer 2013-present.
Sabina Rakhimbekova, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Development of on-line beach management survey. Summer 2013-present.
Ryan Mustacato, Geology Major. Analysis of Florida coastal geology in relation-beach water quality. Fall 2013-present.
Laura Balboni, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Influence of ocean outfalls on marine beach wáter quality. Spring 2013.
Kanita Chonecadeedumrongkul, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. PCB distribution in Guanica Bay. Spring 2013.
Athena Jones, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. PCB in sediments. Spring 2013.
Eric Tazawa, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. PCB literature review and PCBs in sediments. Spring 2013.
Sean Cohen, Oberlin College, Civil Engineering Major. Distribution of PCB in Guanica Bay. Winter break 2012-2013.
Seth Marini, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Algae for the generation of hydrogen fuel, Fall 2012-Summer 2013.
Melissa Barona, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Comparison of the benefits of natural turf versus artificial turf, Fall 2011-Spring 2012. Bacteria for the generation of hydrogen fuel, Fall 2012-Summer 2013.
Margarita Giraldo, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Comparison of the benefits of natural turf versus artificial turf, Fall 2011-Spring 2012. Bacteria for the generation of hydrogen fuel, Fall 2012-Summer 2013. PCB analysis of sediments, Spring 2013.
Katie Morrisoe, Marine Biology Major. Education and outreach through RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program. Fall 2011.
David Hernandez, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Methods-seed bacteria into beach sand. Fall 2010-Summer 2011. Fall 2012.
Malia Carpio, Ecosystem and Policy & Biology Major. Effects of Dispersant on degradation of oil by oil-degrading bacteria. Fall 2010-Summer 2011.
Amber Enns, Ecosystem and Policy & Biology Major. Intense sampling of water and sand study. Summer 2010-Summer 2011.
Laura Vogel, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Intense sampling of water and sand study. Summer 2010-present. Education and outreach through RJ Dunlap Marine Conservation Program. Fall 2011.
Yifan Zhang, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Release of bacteria from beach sand under different agitation scenarios. Summer 2010-present.
Sumbul Khan, Chemical Engineering Major at American University of Sharjah (UAE). S. aureus in beach sand. Summer 2010.
Alexis Brown, Environmental Science at University of Maryland. S. aureus in beach sand. Summer 2010.
Eduardo Esteves, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Microbes from sand pore water. 2009.
Ashish Shah, Biology Major. Sand pathogens study. 2009-2010.
Matthew Phillips, Marine Science Major. Microbes from sand pore water – laboratory focus. 2008-2010. Hired through Summary 2011-complete work.
Noha Abdel-Mottaleb, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Microbes from sand pore water – laboratory focus. Data analysis of fecal indicator data. 2008-2012.
Yasiel Hernandez, Biology Major. Microbes from sand pore water – field focus. 2008-2010.
Rafael Hernandez, Biology Major. Microbes from sand pore water – field focus. 2008-2011.
Tommy Kiger, Environmental Engineering Major. Microbes from sand pore water – microbes from lab system. 2008.
Bader Alessa, Environmental Engineering Major. Microbes from sand pore water – microbes from lab system. 2008-2011.
Diana Rodriguez, Biomedical Engineering Major. Sorting of Treated Wood. 2008
Steven Thebaud, Biomedical Engineering Major. Sorting of Treated Wood. 2008
Derek Schesser, Mechanical and Aerospace Major. Sorting of Treated Wood. 2008
Jakub Bartowiak, Neuroscience Major. Sorting of Treated Wood. 2008
Aakash Goyal, Biomedical Engineering Major. Sorting of Treated Wood. 2008
Katie Herleman, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Field measurements in conjunction with an epidemiologic study. 2008
Jennifer deFrancisco, Biomedical Engineering Major. Field measurements in conjunction with an epidemiologic study. 2008
Seana Campbell, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major . Field measurements in conjunction with an epidemiologic study. 2008
Karen Kajder, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Field measurements in conjunction with an epidemiologic study. 2008
Reshma Ramoutar, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Drinking water assessment for microbial contamination. Field measurements in conjunction with an epidemiologic study. 2007 – 2008.
Matthew Straney, Marine Science Major. Environmental sampling for epidemiologic study. 2007 – 2008.
Michael Schoor, Biology & Ecosystem and Policy Major. Suspended Sediment Measurements. 2007 – 2010.
Dante Porzilli, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Fecal Indicator Measurements and Leaching from CCA-treated Wood. 2007-2008.
Sabrina Garcia, Marine Science Major. Fecal Indicator and S. aureus Measurements at Hobie Beach. 2007-2008.
Cristina Ortega, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Fecal Indicator Measurements at Hobie Beach and Pathogen Measurements in St. Lucie County. 2006-2009.
Julie H. Armstrong, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Fecal Indicator Measurements at Hobie Beach. 2006-2007.
Eduardo Lam, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Wood Recycling Project, Hobie Beach Sampling project. Image analysis for Hurricane Katrina research. 2005-2006.
Freddy Nava, Biomedical Engineering Major. Wood Recycling Project, Hobie Beach Bird Sampling project. 2005-2006.
Adrian Vargas, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Wood Recycling Project. 2005.
Chris Zavatsky, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Wood Recycling Project. 2005.
Colleen Block, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. XRF quality evaluation. Hobie Beach Sampling, 2005-2006.
Mary Durbin, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Assistance with questionnaires focusing on the wood treatment and disposal industries in Florida. Assistance with the stain distribution program. Team leader on Hobie Beach Microbial Sampling Project. 2003-2005.
Amir Zaher, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Hobie Beach Sampling Project. 2004-2005.
Nick Heybeck, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Hobie Beach Sampling Project. 2004-2005.
Geoff Klug, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Assisted with sample collection and with processing samples in the laboratory. 2003.
Caitlin Feikle, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major.CCA-treated wood research. 2004-2005.
Tara Fishbain, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major.Literature review on Florida hydrology and metals concentrations in various environmental media. 2003-2004.
Sanna Gaspard, Biomedical Engineering Major. Assisted with literature reviews, assisted in maintaining contact lists, and in administering mail-outs. 2003-2004.
Rogelio Vega, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Assistance with identifying the type of wood used at playgrounds throughout Miami-Dade County and with Florida mulch sample collection. 2002-2004.
Jean Chery, Biomedical Engineering Major. Field assistant in field project at Everglades National Park. 2002-2003.
Kenneth Brown, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Construction of deck leaching system. 2002.
Michael Laas, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Team leader who identified the type of wood used at playgrounds throughout Miami-Dade County. 2002.
Max Mathurin, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Sample collection at Hobie and Crandon Beach. 2001.
Daniela Schadler, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Sample collection at Hobie and Crandon Beach. 2001.
Yadley St. Fort, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Assisted in sample collection and in report preparation. 2001.
Marwan Al-Kendi, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Developed maps for study initiated at Hobie Beach. 2001.
Gary Jacobi, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Assisted with the wood sorting project in Sarasota County. Designed and constructed deck leaching system. 2001-2003.
Naila Hosein, Environmental Science Major. Assistance in collecting water samples from a rock mining lake. 1999-2001.
Danielle Miller, Marine Science Major. Assisted with literature reviews, assisted in maintaining contact lists, and in administering mail-outs. 2000-2002.
Walter Wilcox, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Assistance with sample collection for stable isotope analysis. 2000.
Kelvin Gary, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Compiled wood treatment industry statistics and data concerning alternative wood treatment preservatives. 1997-2000.
Timothy Desmarais, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Compiled climatologic data and initiated research focusing on microbes in soil. 1998 to1999.
Melinda Wolfert, Civil/Environmental Engineering Major. Assisted in the collection and analysis of samples from Everglades National Park. 1996-1998.
High School Students
Anabella Cordovez, Gulliver Preparatory, Miami, FL, Dust collection and dust sample processing. 2022 to present.
Sofia Suarez Barajas, Gulliver Preparatory, Miami, FL, Dust collection and dust sample processing. 2022 to present.
Matthew Roca, International Studies Preparatory Academy, Miami, FL, Impacts of Naled on Pollinators. Impacts of Hurricanes on Bacteria Levels at Beaches in the Florida Keys.
Bari Gordon, RASG Hebrew academy, Miami Beach, FL, Fungi in sands and sediments. 2014
Anthony Logan, Belen Academy, Miami, FL, Hobie Beach Sampling. 2004
David Benjamin, Ransom Everglades High School, Miami, FL, Hobie Beach Sampling. 2004
Alysia Muniz, Coral Reef Senior High School, Miami, FL, CCA-Treated Wood. 2003–2004
Yuki Sotome, Coral Reef Senior High School, Miami, FL, CCA-Treated Wood. 2003– 2004
Libet Santin, Southwest Miami High School, Miami, FL, Microbial Indicators and CCA-Treated Wood. 2000-2001
Seema Sethi, Gulliver Academy, Miami, FL, Cyclospora. 1996
Patricia Pomar, Braddock High School, Miami, FL, Cryptosporidium. 1995
