Current Research Group
Pieter Heyn – Ph.D. Candidate (PhD Environmental Engineering, Expected 2027)
Joe Aglione – Undergraduate Student (BS Environmental Engineering, Class of 2025)
Emily Buchanan – Undergraduate Student (BS Environmental Engineering, Class of 2025)
Marti Colasurdo – Undergraduate Student (BS Environmental Engineering, Class of 2025)
Erin Fagen – Undergraduate Student (B.S. Environmental Engineering, Class of 2027)
Meghan Hastings – Undergraduate Student (B.S. Environmental Engineering, Class of 2027)
Morgan Philips – Undergraduate Student (BS Environmental Engineering, Class of 2025)
Michael Pizzella – Undergraduate Student (B.S. Environmental Engineering, Class of 2027)
Gwynna Trunfio – Undergraduate Student (BS Environmental Engineering, Class of 2025)
Eric Yang – Undergraduate Student (B.S. Computer Science & B.S. Electrical Engineering, Class of 2025)
Minna Yang – Undergraduate Student (B.S. Environmental Engineering, Class of 2024)
Past Ph.D. Students
Chelsey Shepsko – PhD, Environmental Engineering (2019), “Advancement of the Hybrid Ion Exchange Nitrogen and Phosphate (HIX-NP) Recovery from Waste Water and a New Approach to Brine-Free Nitrate Removal.” (Co-Advisor with Arup SenGupta).
Hang Dong – PhD, Environmental Engineering (2019), “Hybrid Ion Exchange Process Driven by Carbon Dioxide.” (Co-Advisor with Arup SenGupta). Post-Doctoral Researcher, Stanford University.
Yu Tian – PhD, Environmental Engineering (2016). “Improved Stability of Methane-Producing Anaerobic Biological Reactors through Novel use of Ion-Exchange Fibers.” (Arup SenGupta, Co-Dissertation Supervisor).
Hankai Zhu – PhD, Environmental Engineering (2016). “Impact of the Charge-Regulation Effect on Bacterial Growth and Bioavailability of Sorbed Growth Substrates.”
Hai (Thomas) Lin – PhD, Geotechnical Engineering (2016). “Microbial Modification of Soil for Ground Improvement.” (Co-Dissertation Supervisor with Muhannad Suleiman). Assistant Professor of Geotechnical Engineering at Louisiana State University.
Lynal Albert – PhD, Environmental Engineering (2015). “Effects of surface properties on the charge regulated bioenergetic response of attached bacteria: Exploration within the framework of the chemiosmotic theory.” Associate Professor of Environmental Engineering at Tarleton State University (Texas A&M System).
Pijit Jiemvarangkul, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2012). “Nanoparticles for Nonaqueous-Phase Liquids (NAPLs) Remediation.” (Co-Advisor with Wei-xian Zhang). Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok.
Shweta Tripathi – PhD, Environmental Engineering (2008) “Effects of anionic and nonionic surfactant mixtures on bacterial tranport through unsaturated porous media.” Director of Water Business Strategy, Enzen Global Solutions, Bangalore, India.
Yongsuk Hong – PhD, Environmental Engineering (2008) “Effects of surfaces on bacterial metabolic activity: Examination of a physiochemical/bioenergetic mechanism.” Professor of Environmental Engineering at Korea University.
Past M.S. Students
Dhvanil Niranjankumar Patel – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2024)
Alexis Romeo – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2023)
Zizheng Luo – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2023)
Zhongyu Shi – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2023)
Wenxin Zhang – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2020)
Devon Dowd – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2017)
Connor Zingale – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2017)
Qiqi Chen – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2014)
Patrick McGuire – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2014)
Ho He – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2013). “Surface properties of nanoparticles”
Chong Dai – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2013). “Characterization of cell surface pH utilizing a lipophilic pH-sensitive dye”. PhD Environmental Engineering, University of Houston.
Huakan Lu – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2013). “Benchmarking antimicrobial properties of surface-treated activated carbon” (focused on carbon preparation and characterization).
Kristen Falotico – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2013). “Benchmarking antimicrobial properties of surface-treated activated carbon” (focused on biological activity).
Wujun Xia – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2013). “Quantifying sorptive properties of surface-treated granular activated carbons.”
Bingqing Cai – M.S. Environmental Engineering (2013). “Effects of phage on bacterial growth kinetics.”
Jin-Cheng Lin – M.S., Environmental Engineering, Ph.D. Candidate. “Stabilization of the anaerobic digestion process.”
JiaJie Ma – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2012) “Investigation of bacterial transport through saturated porous media using a 10 meter meso-scale flow system.”
Ivy Otieno – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2012) “Development of a bench-scale 2D flow system for investigating bacterial transport in unsaturated porous media.”
Kai Ding – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2012) “Initial investigation of the effects of surfaces on bacterial Monod coefficients.” PhD Environmental Health Engineering, Villanova University.
Stephen Abegunde – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2011) “Effects of surfaces on cellular yield.”
Nate Medford – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2010) “Development of an anaerobic digestor test apparatus.”
Crystal Degree – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2009) “Treatment of Sanitary Waste for Manned Mission to Mars: Feasibility, Concerns and Implementation.”
Surapol Padungthon – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2009) Co-Advisor with Dr. James Hsu, Dept. of Chemical Engineering. PhD Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University.
Thomas Waters – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2008) “Examination of the collision efficiency distribution of different bacterial species.”
Jacquelyn Lanzon – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2007) “Simultaneous sorption of surfactant and phenanthrene on the bacterial cell surface and relationship to hemi-micelle formation.”
Minna Kim – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2007) “Effects of EDTA on Staphylococcus epidermidis surface properties.”
Alon Abramson – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2006) “Collision efficiency distribution of a Sphingomonas sp. flowing through sand columns and implications for field-scale transport.”
Khaula S. Al Nuaimi – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2004) “Characterization of nonionic surfactant sorption onto the cell surface of a Sphingomonas sp.”
Lovleen Gupta – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2004) “Residual saturation of coal tar in porous media.” Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Engineering, Delhi Technological University, India
Angelina Twumasi-Boakye – M.S., Environmental Engineering (2004) “Surfactant-enhanced remediation of coal tar contaminated soils: Solubility and biodegradation effects.”
Past Post-Doctoral Researchers and Visiting Researchers
Pan Ni, PhD (2022-2023) Stepan Company funded research project
Robert Kachmar (2009-2010) NSF Research Experiences for Teachers funded project
Theodore Schaffer (2005-2007, 2009) NSF Research Experiences for Teachers funded project
Tae-Hyung Kim, PhD (2003-2004) Electric Power Research Institute funded project
Past Undergraduate Students
Casey Su-Morrill – B.S. Bioengineering (2023)
Martien Schoonen – B.S. Bioengineering (2023)
Menglin Jiang – BS Environmental Engineering (2022). Pursuing PhD in Environmental Engineering at University of Notre Dame.
Haley Robb – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2022). Clare Boothe Luce Research Scholar.
Rachel Condon – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2022)
Julie Goldberg – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2021)
Julia Pietruszka – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2020)
Ellen Davis – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2018). Master of Sustainability and MBA, Chatham University.
Kalin Ogert – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2017)
Casey Chang – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2017). Clare Boothe Luce Research Scholar. PhD Environmental Engineering, Cornell University.
Devon Dowd – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2016, *17). Presidential Scholar. MS Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University.
Connor Zingale – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2016, *17). MS Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University.
Lee Estrella – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2017)
Spencer Nush – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2017).
Zoe Grossman – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2015)
Andrew Leavitt – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2015)
Chelsey Shepsko – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2014) MS and PhD Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University.
Scott Caporizzo – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2013)
Lauren Zell – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2012). Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health and National Jewish Health, Denver, CO.
Sam Miller – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2012)
Rachel Nordberg – B.S. Bioengineering (2012). MEng Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University; PhD Biomedical Engineering UNC Chapel Hill.
Fatima O’Connor – B.S. Civil Engineering (2012). 2011 NSF Summer REU Project.
Andrew Faris – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2012)
Zachary Amos – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2011). 2009 NSF Summer REU Project.
Leah Kramkowski – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2011)
Hannah Mishriki – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2011)
Megan Pendleton – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2010)
Steve Walsh – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2010). 2009 NSF Summer REU Project.
Jackie Hancock – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2009)
Elizabeth Johnston – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2009)
Mike Rubin – Undergraduate Student (7-year medical program)
Christopher Hohman – Undergraduate Student (Bioengineering)
Michael Hennessy – B.S. Bioengineering (2008)*
Thomas Waters – B.S. Civil Engineering (2007). MS Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University
Mike Angus – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2007)
Jacquelyn Lanzon – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2006). 2005 NSF Summer REU Project. MS Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University.
Laurie Brenner – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2006). 2006 NSF Summer REU Project.
Eric Kubilus – B.S. Environmental Engineering (2006)
Jordan Ratcliff – B.S. Bioengineering (2006)
Matthew DiMaggio – B.S. Civil Engineering (2006). Juris Doctorate, Rutgers Law School.
Gillian Semmer – B.S. Civil Engineering (2006)
Minna Kim – B.S. Civil Engineering (2005). 2004 NSF Summer REU Project. MS Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University.
Alon Abramson – B.S. Civil Engineering (2005. MS Environmental Engineering, Lehigh University.
Meredith Burns – B.S. Civil Engineering (2005). 2003 NSF Summer REU Project.
Students for Whom I’ve had the Privilege to Serve as their Ph.D. Committee Chair
Jennifer Rao, Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Engineering (Expected 2024) – Kristen Jellison, Research Advisor
Nusaibah Alqasawah, Ph.D. Candidate in Environmental Engineering (Expected 2025) – Kristen Jellison, Research Advisor
Hao Chen, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2023). “Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere and Sequestration: Developing a New Class of Regenerable Hybrid Ligand Exchanger.” – Arup SenGupta, Research Advisor
Elisa Mayerberger, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2023). “Cryptosporidium attachment to functionalized surfaces.” – Kristen Jellison and Sabrina Jedlicka, Research Advisors
Kewei Gao, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (2023). “Biological Modification of Soil and Erosion Mitigation” – Muhannad Sulieman, Research Advisor
Pan Ni, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2021). “Novel Materials for Removing Dissolved Silica, Boric Acid, Zinc and Contaminants of Emerging Concern from Water.” – John Fox, Research Supervisor
Jialan Zhu, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (2019). “Surfactant-Enhanced Size-Excluded Transport of Bacteria through Unsaturated Porous Media.” – Jerry Lennon, Research Advisor
Kun Yang, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2018). “Understanding DPF Failure, Improvign DPF Maintenance Technologies, and Advancing Particulate Filter Materials.” – John Fox, Research Advisor. Assistant Professor, Wuhan University of Technology, School of Material Science and engineering.
Jinze, Li, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2018). “Hybrid Ion Exchange Processes for Sustainable Softening and Marcellus Flowback Treatment.” – Arup SenGupta, Research Advisor
Xia Luo, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2016). “Characterization of Cryptosporidium Parvum Oocyst
Attachment to Environmental Biofilm Surfaces.” – Kristen Jellison, Research Advisor
Ryan Smith, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (MS 2010, PhD, 2015). “A Tunable Ion Exchange-Reverse Osmosis Process for Reducing Waste Brine from Inland Desalination Plants.” – Arup SenGupta, Research Advisor
Surapol Padungthon, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2013). “Development of Hybrid Polymeric/Inorganic ion Exchanger: Preparation, Characterization, and Environmental Applications.” – Arup SenGupta, Research Advisor. Faculty, Department of Environmental Engineering, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Julie Napotnik, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2013). “Investigation on the Effects and Operational Variables on the Efficacy of Biosand FIlters.” – Kristen Jellison, Research Advisor
Weile Yan, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2011). ” Iron-based Nanoparticles: Investigating the Nanostructure, Surface Chemistry, and Reactions with Environmental Contaminants.” – Weixian Zhang, Research Advisor. Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Massachusetts Lowell.
Yan-Pang Sun, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2006). “Dispersion of Nanoscale Iron Nanoparticles.” – Weixian Zhang, Research Advisor
Luis Cumbal, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (2004). “Polymer-supported hydrated iron oxide (HFO) nanoparticles: Characterization and environmental applications.” – Arup SenGupta, Research Advisor
