| Helena Avila-Arias |
Dr. Ron Turco (AGRY) and Dr. Larry Nies (EEE/EC) |
Agronomy |
Helena Avila-Arias
Home Department:
Agronomy
Mentor / Lab:
Dr. Ron Turco (AGRY) and Dr. Larry Nies (EEE/EC)
Specific Research Area / Project:
Soil Microbial Community Response to Metal Oxide Engineered Nanomaterials Involved in Energy Storage Technologies
About Me
I decided to jump into this Ph.D. journey primarily because I love research and was 100% convinced that I wanted to be a professor.
My passion for research is intact. The discovery process from identifying a gap of knowledge through analyzing the ‘weirdness’ of the results is just fascinating!
My passion for teaching is present as well. I believe we are all students and teachers every day, not only within an academic institution. Inspiring and being inspired is a daily experience!
Meeting people in the name of science (including traveling!) is one exciting part of being a scientist in which I very much enjoy! Interacting and sharing experiences with researchers within and outside your field is so enriching; seeing the same topic through different lenses is an awing experience!
ESE has allowed me to do exactly that; it has helped open my mind (and ears) to interdisciplinary approaches across many topics. We are a community that looks forward to solving problems and improving situations. Sharing with eyes from different backgrounds has been absolutely beneficial to my growth and success thus far.
Awards:
- Bilsland Dissertation Fellowship. The Graduate School. Purdue University. 2017
- Teaching Assistant. Soil Ecology. Fall 2015 & Fall 2016.
- Colciencias Colombia-Purdue fellowship. Doctor of Philosophy, studies abroad. 2012-2016
Publications:
- Z. Arbeli, E. Garcia-Bonilla, C. Pardo, K. Hidalgo, T. Velásquez, L. Peña, E. Ramos, H. Avila-Arias, N. Molano-Gonzalez, P.F.B. Brandão, F. Roldan. Persistence of pentolite (PETN and TNT) in soil microcosms and microbial enrichment cultures. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2016, 1-12
- Patricia A. Holden, Frederick Klaessig, Ronald F. Turco, John H. Priester, Cyren M. Rico, Helena Avila-Arias, Monika Mortimer, Kathleen Pacpaco, and Jorge L. Gardea-Torresdey. Evaluation of Exposure Concentrations Used in Assessing Manufactured Nanomaterial Environmental Hazards: Are They Relevant? Environmental Science & Technology 2014 48 (18), 10541-10551
- Avila, F.H. 2012. Study of TNT and PENT aerobic degradation by bacteria isolated from explosives-contaminated soils. MS thesis. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogota, Colombia.
- Avila, F.H. and Cruz, A.M. 2008. Effects of the plant coverage and climatic season over total microorganisms and heterotrophic density in soils of La Vieja and Otun river basins in the Colombian coffee eco-region. Undergraduate Research. Bachelor of Science, Industrial Microbiology. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana. Bogota, Colombia.
Presentations:
- Avila-Arias, H., Nies, L., Bischoff Gray, M. and Turco, R.F. Impacts of Molybdenum-, Nickel-, and Lithium- Oxide Nanomaterials on Agricultural Soil Resilience. Poster session presented at: ICEENN 2016. 11th International Conference on the Environmental Effects of Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials; 2016 Aug 14-18; Golden, CO.
- Avila-Arias, F.H., Nies, L., Bischoff Gray, M. and Turco, R.F. Assessing the Impact of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles on Soil Microbial Communities. Poster session presented at: EmCon 2014. Fourth International Conference on Occurrence, Fate, Effects, & Analysis of Emerging Contaminants in the Environment; 2014 Aug 19-22; Iowa City, IA.
- Roldán, F., Avila, F., García, E., Garzón, V., Rodríguez, G., Villegas, S., Numpaque, M. and Arbeli, Z. TNT Aerobic Degradation and Surfactant Production by Bacteria. Poster session presented at: World Biotechnology Congress 2013; 2013 June 3-6; Boston, MA.
Leadership:
- Counselor – Biofuel Team. Duke Energy Academy at Purdue. 2015
- Treasurer. Colombian Student Association at Purdue. 2013-2014
- Poster and 3MT competition Chair. Annual Symposium Ecological Sciences and Engineering Program. 2013
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Dr. Keith A. Cherkauer |
Agricultural & Biological Engineering |
Home Department:
Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Mentor / Lab:
Dr. Keith A. Cherkauer
Specific Research Area / Project:
The Potential Impacts of Extreme Weather Events on the Great Lakes: Environmental and Socioeconomic Vulnerability, Adaptive Capacity, and the Creation of Usable Science
About Me
Before coming back to school full-time to pursue my PhD, I worked for about four years in Washington, D.C., for several science and environmental policy organizations. It was through this setting that I came to more fully appreciate the importance of people who can communicate across disciplines and the many ways that science and society interact. It was my hope, in pursuing further education, that I would be able to develop the skills and expertise needed to work across disciplines on important environmental issues. I feel incredibly fortunate to be a part of the ESE program because it allows me to pursue these aspirations while conducting research that builds on my engineering and policy backgrounds.
Awards:
- Purdue Doctoral Fellowship 2013-2015
- Andrews/Blosser Environmental Travel Grant 2014
- Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need Fellowship 2010-2013
- Purdue Climate Change Research Center Graduate Student Travel Grant Award 2012, 2013
Publications:
- Day, J., N. Chin, S. Sydnor and K. A. Cherkauer. “Weather, Climate, and Tourism Performance: A Quantitative Analysis.” Tourism Management Perspectives 5 (January): 51–56.
Presentations:
- Chin, N., J. Day, S. Sydnor, K. A. Cherkauer (2013). Assessing the Impacts of Climate Change on Tourism-Dependent Communities in the Great Lakes. Poster presentation at the American Geophysical Union 2013 Fall Meeting; December 9-13, 2013, San Francisco, CA.
- J. Day, N. Chin, S. Sydnor (2013). Building Resilience to Climate Change in Great Lakes Communities: Tourism Dependent Destinations. Oral presentation at the International Association for Great Lakes Research Conference; June 2-6, 2013, West Lafayette, IN.
- Chin, N., J. Day, S. Sydnor, K. A. Cherkauer (2012). Tourism and Climate Change: The impact of weather on tourism profitability. Oral presentation at the International Conference on Tourism, Climate Change, and Sustainability; September 13-14, 2012, Bournemouth, UK.
Leadership:
- Philanthropy Chair, Agricultural and Biological Engineering-Graduate Student Association 2013-2014
- Volunteer, Wabash River Enhancement Corporation 2010-2013
- Presenter and Organizer, Ecological Sciences and Engineering Keystone Series 2011-2013
- Marketing Co-Chair and Volunteer, Ecological Sciences and Engineering Symposium 2010-2011
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Steve Hallett |
Horticulture |
Home Department:
Horticulture
Mentor / Lab:
Steve Hallett
Specific Research Area / Project:
The Role of African Leafy Vegetables in Food Security
About Me
My experience at Purdue improved exponentially after joining ESE. The best part of being in ESE was the community that came with the program. The colloquium that lasts one year was a great opportunity to meet students from across different disciplines and backgrounds, but ESE also has a great community across different cohorts. I have learned a lot from other ESE students more senior and junior than me, and I am sure I will stay in touch with many ESE students long after graduation. The support system in ESE is also phenomenal and has made my time at Purdue much easier. I would highly recommend ESE to any future graduate students and the different perspective of the program have enriched my experience at Purdue.
Awards:
- Most Outstanding Interdisciplinary Project Award
- David L. Boren Fellow – Language learning and national security fellowship, June-December 2015
- U.S. Borlaug Graduate Research Fellow – Food security research fellowship, May-December 2015
- Clifford B. Kinley Trust Award recipient – Human welfare research funding, May-December 2015
- Chicago Council Global Food Security Symposium Next Generation Delegate – Participated in the international symposium on the challenges of climate change and food security, May 2014
- Borlaug Summer Institute on Global Food Security – Two-week symposium for graduate students on challenges to food security and cross-disciplinary problem solving, June 2013
- D. Woods Thomas Travel Fellowship – Sponsored international agriculture research, 2013, 2016
- Andrews Fellowship Recipient – Four year research fellowship award from Purdue University, 2012-2016
Publications:
- Croft, M., M. Marshall, and S. Hallett. (2016). The Role of Gender in Household Food Security in Western Kenya. Manuscript in preparation.
- Croft, M., M. Marshall, and S. Hallett. (2016). Hydroponic Production of African Leafy Vegetables for Improving Nutritional Security. Manuscript in submission.
- Croft, M., M. Mickelbart, S. Hallett, and S. Weller. (2016). Drought Tolerance in African Vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) landraces. Manuscript in submission.
- Croft, M., M. Marshall, and S. Weller. (2014). Consumers’ Preference for Quality in African Indigenous Vegetables in Western Kenya. Journal of Agricultural Economics and Development 3(5): 67-77.
- Croft, M., A. Bicksler, J. Manson, and R. Burnette. (2013). Comparison of Appropriate Tropical Seed Storage Techniques for Germplasm Conservation in Mountainous Sub-Tropical Climates with Resource Constraints. Experimental Agriculture 49(2): 279-294.
Presentations:
- Croft, M., M. Marshall, and S. Hallett. (2015, November). Market Barriers for African Leafy Vegetables: A Case Study in Eldoret. Poster session presented at the 2nd International Conference on Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition, Nairobi, Kenya.
- Croft, M., M. Marshall, S. Hallett, and S. Weller. (2015, August). Consumer Preference for Quality in Three Leafy Vegetables in Kenya. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Society of Horticultural Science Conference, New Orleans, LA.
- Croft, M., M. Mickelbart, and S. Weller. (2015, August). The Responses of African Vegetable Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) Varieties to Drought Stress. Poster session presented at the meeting of the American Society of Horticultural Science Conference, New Orleans, LA.
Leadership:
- Orchestra member, 2012-2016
- ESE Symposium Speakers Committee member
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Dr. Tim Filley |
Earth, Athmospheric & Planetary Sciences |
Home Department:
Earth, Athmospheric & Planetary Sciences
Mentor / Lab:
Dr. Tim Filley
Specific Research Area / Project:
Linking the Chemical Structure of Black Carbon to its Biological Interactions in a Northern Temperate Forest Soil
About Me
I was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas and while I lived in a vacation hotspot, I wanted very much to study abroad and then go to medical school before returning home to be a contributing member of society. This desire took me to Nashville, TN and to Tennessee State University where I was first introduced to the world of scientific research. I have always had a natural curiosity about how the world worked on the tiniest of scales and once I found out just a little in my Physics, Chemistry and Cell Biology classes, I also realized that in our efforts to become more efficient, we have altered our environment to suit us and as a consequence, destroyed ecosystems that belong to other organisms.
Instead of continuing my education in Chemistry after I completed my undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue a degree in Plant and Soil Science which gave me a profound appreciation of the biochemical processes responsible for plant response to environmental stresses. I wanted to observe these interactions between plants and soil more in depth and the implications of these interactions in the overall scheme of things from an environmentalist’s perspective. But, where does someone with a mixed background and barely any experience in soil biochemistry or environmental science go to become an environmental scientist or engineer? By chance, I was referred to Dr. Lee and introduced to the ESE program which is at the center of interdisciplinary, collaborative research in ecological and environmental sciences. This program fits me, my background and career goal perfectly and though I’m not quite sure what’s next, I know that with the training, opportunities for networking and professional development offered by ESE, I’ll be able to design research plans, draft policy or communicate findings to answer those lingering questions and meet the challenges of an ever expanding global community.
Awards:
- Purdue Doctoral Fellowship 2011-2013
- Purdue Women In Science Program Travel Award Recipient 2013
Publications:
- Gibson, C, Aziz N.A , Effects of Temperature Stress on Solanum Host for the Spread of Soft-Rot Infection, Proceedings of the Southern Nursery Association Annual Research Conference, Mobile, AL 466-469. 2010
Presentations:
- Gibson C, Berry T, Wang R, Bird J, Blanchette R, Johnston C, Filley T (AGU 2013). White-rot fungal response to fresh and artificially-weathered pyrogenic organic matter. Poster presented at American Geophysical Union 2013, San Francisco, CA.
- Gibson C, Berry T, Wang R, Bird J, Blanchette R, Johnston C, Filley T (September 2013). Priming effects of black carbon additions on carbon mineralization in malt extract media by the white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor. Poster presented at American Chemical Society 2013, Indianapolis, IN.
Leadership:
- Purdue Ecological Sciences and Engineering 2012 Symposium Speaker Chair
- Purdue Ecological Sciences and Engineering Peer to Peer Mentor Fall 2012 – present
- Purdue Women In Science Program Mentor Spring 2012 – present
- Coordinator of Purdue Condensed Aromatic Carbon Group Fall 2012 - present
- Purdue Interdisciplinary Gradaute Program Student Association - Ecological Sciences and Engineering Representative Fall 2013 - present
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Dr. Ernest R. Blatchley III (Chip Blatchley) |
Civil Engineering |
Home Department:
Civil Engineering
Mentor / Lab:
Dr. Ernest R. Blatchley III (Chip Blatchley)
Specific Research Area / Project:
Post implementation research on non-profit water treatment and watershed management interventions in developing countries.
Lab / Personal work-related websites:
Current Research
About Me
It is not very common for an engineer to have political ambitions. Since I was in middle school however, policy and politics are all I’ve wanted to do. As my interest in international policy grew throughout high school and college, so did my interest in water resources. Water is such an important part of everyone’s lives, and is the cause of both conflict and cooperation locally, regionally and globally.
In college I was guided by a wonderful advisor who encouraged me to continue technical training in graduate school in order to bring a scientific perspective and understanding into policy in my future profession. At Purdue, the ESE program has allowed me to work on interdisciplinary projects that will prepare me for my future work in policy.
Awards:
- WPI Congressional Fellow on Women and Public Policy: Oct 2014
- U.S. Borlaug Global Food Security Graduate Research Grant: May 2013
- Challenge Program on Water and Food; Opportunity Fund Research Grant: Apr. 2013
- Next Generation Delegate for the Chicago Council Global Food Security Symposium: May 2014
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship: 2012-2015
- U.S. Borlaug Summer Institute on Global Food Security: Jun. 2013
- Across Borders Fellow, US Department of State. Early Career Award to Study
- Trans-Boundary Environmental Resources in the Middle East and the US: Jun.-Jul. 2011
- National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program: May-Aug. 2009
Publications:
- Grady, C. E. Kipkorir, K. Nguyen, E.R. Blatchley III. 2015. Microbial quality of improved drinking water sources: evidence from western Kenya and southern Vietnam. J. of Water and Health. 13(2): 607–612.
- Grady, C., X. He, S. Peeta 2015. Integrating social network analysis with analytic network process for international development project selection to increase organizational reach. Expert Systems with Applications. 42(12). doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2015.02.039
- Grady, C., A. P. Reimer, J. R. Frankenberger, and L. S. Prokopy. 2013. Locating existing Best Management Practices within a watershed: The value of multiple methods. Journal of American Water Resources Association. 49(4): 883-895.
- Grady, C. and T. Younos. 2012. Bottled Water Technology and Its Global Ramifications: An Overview. International Water Technology Journal. 2(2):185-195.
- Younos, T. and C. Grady eds. 2014. Potable Water: Emerging Global Problems and Solutions. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer Publishing. ISBN 978-3-319-06562-5.
- Grady, C., S.C. Weng, and E.R. Blatchley III. 2014. Global potable water: current status, critical problems and future perspectives. In Potable Water: Emerging Global Problems and Solutions. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer Publishing. 37-60.
- Younos, T., and C. Grady eds. 2013. Climate Change in Water Resources. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, Vol 25. Springer Publishing. ISBN: 978-3-642-37585-9
Presentations:
- Grady, C. March 2014. "Social Network Analysis in the Mekong River Basin: Opportunities for Research". An Giang University. Invited presentation. Long Xuyen, Vietnam.
- Grady C.. March 2013. "Performance of Biologically-Active Sand Filters for Drinking Water Treatment: Exploration of Biophysical Factors and Consumer Social Behavior Trends in Eldoret, Kenya". Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Spring Reception. Invited presentation. West Lafayette IN.
- Grady, C., E.R. Blatchley III, Isaac Soita. February 2013. "Performance of Biologically-Active Sand Filters for Drinking Water Treatment: Exploration of Biophysical Factors and Consumer Social Behavior Trends in Eldoret, Kenya", Disinfection and Public Health Conference. Indianapolis, IN.
- Grady, C. January 2012. "Preparing Emerging Young Professionals for Transboundary Environmental Research and Leadership through Experiential Learning: The Across Borders Fellowship Program", National Council on Science and the Environment Annual Conference. Washington DC.
- Grady, C. and M. Schaefer. September 2011. "Water words that work, how to make an engaging brochure", Indiana Watersheds Webinar Series, Invited Presentation.
- Grady, C. and J. Frankenberger. August 2011. "The impact of scale: evaluation of best management practices in the Eagle Creek watershed", American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers Annual Conference, Oral Presentation. Lexington, KY.
- Grady, C. April 2011. "Energy implications for the future of desalination", Environmental Virginia Conference, Oral Presentation. Lexington, VA.
- Grady, C. March 2011. "Methods for identifying best management practices throughout watersheds in Indiana", Indiana Lakes Management Society, Oral Presentation. Angola, IN.
- Grady, C. and J. Frankenberger. October 2010, "Integrative approach to analyzing best management practices in the Eagle Creek Watershed", Ecological Sciences and Engineering Symposium, Poster Presentation. West Lafayette, IN. Purdue University.
Leadership:
- Graduate Mentoring Program Leadership Team: May 2011- May 2014
- Access Engineering Staff: May 2013-Aug. 2013, May 2014- Aug. 2014
- Community Teaching Experience
- Lyn Treece Boys and Girls Club Keystone Kids Garden: 6-12th Grade Science: Apr. 2013- Present
- Montgomery County School System: Crawfordsville, IN: Fourth Grade Science Fair: Sep. 2012, Sep. 2013
- Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society: Sep. 2010- May 2011
- Agricultural and Biological Engineering Graduate Student Association: Sep.2010- Jan. 2012
- Spring Fest Planning Committee: Jan.- Apr. 2011
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering Annual Symposium Planning Committee
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Dr. Laura Bowling |
Agricultural & Biological Engineering |
Home Department:
Agricultural & Biological Engineering
Mentor / Lab:
Dr. Laura Bowling
Specific Research Area / Project:
Urban stormwater management
About Me
While my experience at Purdue has been challenging at times, my time in the ESE program has been nothing but positive. My advisor, Dr. Lee and ESE peers truly make me feel supported and valued as a researcher and as a contributing individual to the program. I am fortunate enough to share an office with 5 other ESE students at various stages of their master’s and doctoral studies. In this office, we have weekly and oftentimes daily discussions on things from how to prepare for prelims or a defense or insights on courses to ideas for research methods and proposals. We talk about personal struggles and successes and generally provide a very inclusive environment where anyone can talk freely. This is one of the biggest aspects I appreciate about the program and its members. Asking questions is always okay and there are always people to help you along the way so despite the fact that everyone has their own research, goals and advisors, you never have to navigate the graduate school process alone because we all want to see each other succeed.
Awards:
- Midwest Crossroads Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) scholar, admitted spring 2013
- The Minorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth System Science (MS PHD'S®) Scholar
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow
- 2012 Indiana Association of Environmental Professionals Graduate Student Award
- Certificate of appreciation for the MLK Jr. Commemorative Planning Committee
Publications:
- Hoover, F., Bowling, L. Water Quality Evaluation for an Extensive Green Roof System. Int. Perspectives Water Resources & Envirn Proceedings, Izmir, Turkey, 2013. (accepted)
- F. Hoover and J. Abraham, A review: Comprehensive comparison of corn-based and cellulosic-based ethanol as biofuel sources, Clean Technology Conference and Expo 2009, Houston, TX, May 3-7, 2009.
- F. Hoover and J. Abraham. Assessment of the Carbon Dioxide and Energy Balances of Biofuels, Climate Change Technology Conference 2009, Hamilton, Ontario, May 12-15, 2009.
- F-A Hoover, J. Abraham, A Comparison of Corn-Based Ethanol with Cellulosic Ethanol as Replacements for Petroleum-Based Fuels: A Review, Int. J. Sustainable Energy, Vol. 28 (4), pp. 171-182, 2009.
Presentations:
- Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM, 2014, presenter
- American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2013, poster
- International Perspectives on Water Resources and the Environment 2013, presenter
- Capturing Resilience: The Bridge from Recovery to Prosperity 2013 ESE Symposium, poster
- Purdue Student Sustainability Summit 2013, poster
- Purdue Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs, 2013 Spring Reception, poster
- Urban Rise: Footprints of a Global Civilization 2012 ESE Symposium, poster
- Climate Change Technology Conference 2009, presenter
- Clean Technology Conference and Expo 2009, poster
Leadership:
- Recruitment co-chair, Agricultural & Biological Engr. Graduate Student Association, 2013-current
- ember-Purdue Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Club, 2012-current
- reasurer-Purdue Graduate Student Government, 2012-2013
- undraising Chair-Ecological Sciences and Engineering Program’s Annual Symposium, 2012
- SE Annual Keystone Series Planning Committee, 2012, 2011
- inorities Striving and Pursuing Higher Degrees of Success in Earth System Science Initiative Program (MSPHD’S), 2011, Cohort 8
- merican Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Attendee, 2011
- enator-Purdue Graduate Student Government, 2011-2012
- raduate coordinator-Women in Engineering Program’s Innovation to Reality After School Engineering Program, Purdue University, 2011-2012
- urdue University Martin Luther King Jr. Planning Committee, 2011-2013
- ompact for Diversity in Teaching and Mentoring Meeting, 2012
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Suresh Rao (CE/AGRY), Dev Niyogi (AGRY/EAPS) |
Civil Enginnering |
Home Department:
Civil Enginnering
Mentor / Lab:
Suresh Rao (CE/AGRY), Dev Niyogi (AGRY/EAPS)
Specific Research Area / Project:
Spatiotemporal patterns and hydrologic dynamics of an agricultural landscape: Impacts of hydroclimatic controls across scales
About Me
Growing up in Sweden, I have always been surrounded by an almost infinite supply of natural areas. The environmental consciousness of the country has largely influenced me and my personal values from an early age. My first school year, 1992, was the same year as the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development was held in Rio de Janeiro. The outcomes of that conference, and especially the Agenda 21, were integrated in my education in various aspects. I particularly remember being in an elementary school student show named Cabaret 21, where we sang about environmental issues facing the world. I started to realize that the idyllic forests and lakes I was surrounded by were threatened and that many parts of the world were a lot different from mine. After that, my educational choices have been easy, always focusing on natural sciences and the environment. The need for an interdisciplinary approach to environmental issues is clear. The Ecological Sciences and Engineering program at Purdue is offering an interdisciplinary platform for us students to broaden our views and collaborate with people from a variety of disciplines and cultures which I am convinced will help us address the challenges we will face after graduation.
Awards:
- Bilsland Dissertation Fellow, 2015
- Center for Instructional Excellence Graduate Instructional Development Certificate, 2015
- Stiftelsen Jacob A. Letterstedt travel grant, 2011
- American Geophysical Union student travel grant, 2010
- Erasmus Fellow, 2009-2010
Publications:
- Giesler, R., S.W. Lyon, C.-M. Mörth, J. Karlsson, E.M. Karlsson, E.J. Jantze, G. Destouni, C. Humborg, 2014: Catchment-scale dissolved carbon concentrations and export estimates across six subarctic streams in northern Sweden. Biogeosciences, 11, 1-14, doi:10.5194/bg-11-1-2014.
- Logan, L. H., E. M. Karlsson, H. E. Gall, J. Park, N. Emery, P. Owens, D. Niyogi, and P. S. C. Rao, 2013: Freshwater Wetlands: Balancing Food and Water Security with Resilience of Ecological and Social Systems, Elsevier Inc., Academic Press, 105–116 pp. ISBN: 9780123847034
- Karlsson, E.M., Connecting landscape characteristics and hydrologic responses across spatial scales in a sub-arctic environment. MS Thesis. Stockholm University, 2010
Presentations:
- Liu, X., L.L. Biehl, E. Karlsson, A. Kumar, D. Niyogi. A land data assimilation system (LDAS) based dataset for regional agro-climatic assessments over the U.S. Corn Belt. American Meteorological Society’s 21st Conference on Applied Climatology, Boulder, CO, June 2014. Oral presentation.
- Karlsson, E. and X. Liu. A land data assimilation system (LDAS) based dataset for regional hydroclimatic assessments over the U.S. Corn Belt. Office of Interdisciplinary Graduate Programs Spring Reception, West Lafayette, IN, Apr. 2014. Poster presentation.
- Karlsson, E. and X. Liu. Introducing a new high-resolution agrohydroclimatic dataset. Purdue Big Data in Agriculture Symposium, West Lafayette, IN, Mar. 2014. Poster presentation.
- Logan, L.H., F. Hoover, C. Gibson, E. Karlsson, Y. He, S. Park. Building a sustainable city, Ecological Sciences and Engineering Symposium, West Lafayette, IN, Oct. 2012. Poster presentation.
- Destouni G., N. Basu, M.J. Cohen, H. Dahlke, F. Jaramillo, J. Jarsjö, J.W. Jawitz, J. Juston, E.M. Karlsson, A.D. Koussis, S. Lyon, K. Mazi, J. Mård-Karlsson, C. Prieto, S.C. Rao, Y. van der Velde, N. Vercauteren, Hydro-biogeochemical and environmental-management functions of wetland networks in landscapes. 9th INTECOL – International Wetlands Conference, Orlando, FL, June 2012. Oral presentation.
- Karlsson, E. and S.W. Lyon. Connecting landscape characteristics and hydrologic responses across spatial scales in a sub-arctic environment, AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec. 2010. Poster presentation
Leadership:
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering Peer-to-peer mentor, 2014
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering Peer Mentoring Program, 2012-2014
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering Keystone Series Leadership Team, 2013
- Ecological Sciences and Engineering Symposium planning committee, 2012
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow mentor, 2012 Wabash River Sampling Blitz volunteer, 2011-2014
- URISA GIS-Pro Annual Conference volunteer, 2011
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Dr. Nancy Emery |
Biological Sciences |
Home Department:
Biological Sciences
Mentor / Lab:
Dr. Nancy Emery
Specific Research Area / Project:
The Science Not Yet Behind Wetland Policy: Ecology, Hydrology, Public Perception and Conservation
Lab / Personal work-related websites:
Current Research
About Me
I am from Athens, Ohio and I currently live in Bluffton, Ohio. I grew up having a love and respect for education, and always wanted to be a professor at a student-focused university. I am officially living my dream as a tenure-track faculty member at Ohio Northern University in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department. I serve as a District Director for Tau Beta Pi (engineering honor society), volunteer with Ohio 4-H programs, and advocate for the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minorities in STEM. I am married to Dan Newkirk (we met through ESE, married on Sept 2, 2017), and we have three pets: Gandalf the grey tabby cat, Gimli the hedgehog, and Greg the orange tabby cat.
Publications:
- Logan, L.H., Stillwell, A.S. “Water Temperature Duration Curves for Thermoelectric Power Plant Mixing Zone Analysis.” Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management, 144(9), 2018
- Logan, L.H., Stillwell, A.S. “Probabilistic Assessment of Aquatic Species Risk from Thermoelectric Power Plant Effluent: Incorporating Biology into the Energy-Water Nexus.” Applied Energy, 210, 2018
- Logan, L.H., Emery, N.C., Stillwell, A.S., “The Science Not Yet Behind Wetland Policy: Ecology, Hydrology, Public Perception and Conservation.” Environmental & Water Resources Congress, Sustainability Track, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2014
- Logan, L.H., Karlsson, E.M., Gall, H.E., Park, J., Emery, N., Owens, P., Niyogi, D., Rao, P.S.C., “Freshwater Wetlands: Balancing Food and Water Security with Resilience of Ecological and Social Systems.” Climate Vulnerability, 2013
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Dr. James Camberato |
Agronomy |
Home Department:
Agronomy
Mentor / Lab:
Dr. James Camberato
Specific Research Area / Project:
Residual effects of inorganic nitrogen fertilization on soil nitrogen pools and corn growth
About Me
“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson. As a young scientist, my work embraces this statement to make new discoveries for both the environment and the agriculture industry. Since I was born and raised on a farm, I grew up believing that my “path” would lead me to continue the farming tradition. However, a soil science research position at Ohio State shifted my career goals in a new direction. I soon discovered the exciting field of research, a constantly changing and challenging field, but one that would quickly become my passion.
Following graduation from Ohio State, I realized I wanted more and felt that I had a lot to offer to research, the environment, and to agriculture. I soon came across and was admitted to Purdue’s Ecological Science and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (ESE-IGP). I felt that my background in agriculture and my degree from Ohio State in Environmental Science would bring ESE an insightful and balanced viewpoint of environmental issues.
Thus far, my time in graduate school has taught me a range of skills; I value the importance of communication, attention to detail in the lab and field, patience when teaching, and most of all, the connections and people I have met along the way. Upon completion of my thesis in December 2016, I will set out on a new path. I aspire to leave new trails towards soil conservation and management. I thank everyone who has impacted my path so far and am excited to see what the future holds.
Presentations:
- Moser, M., Nielsen, R., and Camberato, J. Long-term effect of nitrogen fertilization on soil nitrogen pools and crop growth. Poster presentation at Purdue’s Corn Showcase, West Lafayette, IN, July 26, 2016.
Leadership:
- Committee Member: Pioneer Plant Breeding Symposium, Purdue University, 2016
- Committee Member: Ecological Sciences & Engineering Annual Symposium, Purdue University, 2015
- Representative: Agronomy Graduate Student Representative, Purdue University, 2015
- Mentor: ESE Graduate Student Mentor, Purdue University, 2015
- Participant: Pelotonia, Ohio State, 2013, 2014, 2015
- Fellow: NSF Fellow, Georgia Tech, 2013
- Team Member: Hunt Seat Equestrian Team, Ohio State, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
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Prof. Bill Hutzel/Applied Energy Lab |
Mechanical Engineering |
Home Department:
Mechanical Engineering
Mentor / Lab:
Prof. Bill Hutzel/Applied Energy Lab
Specific Research Area / Project:
Biofiltration in an Energy Efficient, Residential, HVAC System
About Me
"Perhaps not unlike other undergraduates in mechanical engineering, I made the mistake of going in to the discipline because I was “good at math and science” and I wanted to keep my options open. However, I quickly learned the traditional mechanical engineering jobs (design and manufacturing valves, gears, machines, etc.) did not interest me; I could not see their broader impacts. It was not until the summer after my sophomore year I realized my interest in thermodynamics and pursued this interest by conducting energy audits for the Iowa DNR as a Pollution Prevention Intern. This is where I found my passion, using my analytical mindset to help the environment and further society. I decided to further my education in the field by coming to Purdue, joining the ESE program to better understand global problems, working part-time at Purdue Facilities to apply my current skillset and developing technological solutions through my research."
Awards:
- ASHRAE Innovative Research Grant
- P3 Award Recipient Phase I
- 2nd Place Poster, Ecological Sciences and Engineering Annual Symposium
Leadership:
- ESE Symposium Logistics Manager and Peer Mentor
- ASHRAE Student Chapter President and Treasurer
- Purdue Energy Forum Member
- USGBC Student Chapter Member
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Dr. Ricker-Gilbert |
Agricultural Economics |
Home Department:
Agricultural Economics
Mentor / Lab:
Dr. Ricker-Gilbert
Specific Research Area / Project:
International Economic Development
About Me
In spite of my training as an engineer, and pursuing a doctorate degree in Civil Engineering, I never stopped being passionate about several economic developments and policies, and the impacts of such policies on the populations in the less developed countries in the world, especially Africa. This passion kept me reading books and articles from who is who in development economics: Jeffery Sachs, Joseph Stiglitz, Paul Collier, Dambisa Moyo, and Bill Easterly just to name a few. From my readings, I realized the developing world problems are well understood but often, the solutions have been one-cap-fits-all, globalized solution. “If it worked in Latin America, it must work in sub Saharan Africa” kind of approach. As such, they have mostly failed. Thus, as an African with first-hand knowledge of poverty and adverse effects of some ill-adopted polices, I felt the urge and the need to make an impact through the adaptation of global solutions to solve problems locally. After several consultation and counsel, deep thoughts and prayers, I made a 180 degree turn around from engineering to development economics.
As part of my thesis, I am currently working on a baseline survey for PICS3 in Uganda. The baseline survey is necessary in order to evaluate the impact of our intervention on smallholder farm households. It has been an interesting experience so far. Traveling across Uganda is breath taken. Beautiful terrain/landscape, crazy capital-Kampala. I love what I am doing in the field especially when I see the joy, the light in the faces of these farm households when they hear of the PICS bags “wonder.” It is fulfilling to see them relieved when they learn they will be able to store their grains longer without fear of losing them. Rather than sell cheap at harvest, they would now be able to store longer and potentially sell at better prices.
I see myself working in the international economic development field, preferably multilateral institutions, international organizations, or NGOs/Foundations focusing on economic developments for less developed countries especially sub Saharan Africa. Of course, human capital and physical capital are complementary. Thus, I would be fulfilling my purpose in life –helping to lift the poor at the bottom of the pyramid –wherever I am able to utilize my training at Purdue in an enabling environment be it in Washington, Nairobi, New York, Kampala, Tunis, Abuja, or anywhere else in the world.
Awards:
- Several awards as an undergraduate including Total/Elf Petroleum Undergraduate Scholarship (2006-2009)
- Office of Naval Research (ONR) Excellence in Undergraduate Research Award (Elizabeth City State University, 2008)
- Excellence in Leadership Award as a Congressman (University of Lagos, 2009), and graduating top of my class (2009)
- I was also part of the International Students and Scholars who won the One Brick Higher Award from President Cordova (Purdue University, 2012)
Publications:
- Estimating proximate determinants of postharvest loss in sub Saharan Africa: A case study of Maize in Tanzania (2014 Manuscript)
- Western Aid vs. Eastern Trade in sub Saharan Africa: A Problem Orientation Framework Perspective (2013 Manuscript)
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Reuben Goforth/Aquatic Ecology Laboratory |
Forestry & Natural Resources |
Home Department:
Forestry & Natural Resources
Mentor / Lab:
Reuben Goforth/Aquatic Ecology Laboratory
Specific Research Area / Project:
Understanding Asian Carp Success in Novel Ecosystems: A Comparison of Silver Carp Plasticity in Two River Systems
About Me
An afternoon on a riverbank is relaxing, (and I had spent many afternoons on the riverbank throughout the course of my master’s research), but that same afternoon through the eyes of an urban city youth can be nothing short of wondrous. I have heard academics describe their ‘Aha!’ moments through making connections in the laboratory or through heated debates. My moment came at a riverside BioBlitz I had organized, surrounded by 25 splashing and screaming children from a local after school program for at-risk youth. That moment transformed my thinking about research, science, and people. Previous experiences working with the U.S. Forest Service and laboratory research had shaped my perspective of natural resources as something that is controlled and manipulated for the use value alone. However, a summer as a student intern for the Springfield Center for Civic and Urban Engagement shifted my perspective from seeing natural resources as something that is managed by people into something that should be managed for people. Science has always been about a search for translation of the world around us, and I realized that my reductionist tendencies were slightly misguided. My interest in science refocused on interpreting and improving situated knowledge of communities and decision makers in order to gain the most benefit from new research.
While many of the students that attended the BioBlitz confessed that my program was the first time they had been in “the woods,” I was blessed to have my first riverbank exposure early in life. As a young girl, I was an avid tournament angler. Success during my years of tournament fishing was fueled by my competitive nature and a strong connection to the aquatic environment. Throughout my college education, I continued to foster the interest in natural resources that stemmed from my intimate connections with nature as a young angler. Because of this experience, my approach to research is envisioned in terms of the ultimate end users—the public. In addition to focusing on improving public knowledge, I believe that end goals and deliverables should be a means of shaping research processes and that high emphasis should be centered on the impact of a scientific study.
That understanding led me to organize “Winning Back the Wabash” sponsored by the Purdue Sustainability Fund in conjunction with my Master’s project. My research brought me to local bowfishing tournaments in order to collect Asian carp samples and at each tournament I would teach the fisherman how to filet and fry Asian carp. Winning Back the Wabash was created in order to foster environmental stewardship and awareness about invasive species. Even if they didn’t enjoy the taste of carp, my goal was met through numerous conversations and exchange of ideas about how to work towards fixing the situation.
I have a passion for integrating science and the public. However, instead of the traditional aim of incorporating science into public policy, I am interested in switching the roles around. I want to have a part in weighing the needs of policy makers, fisheries professionals, natural resources managers, and the public, and incorporating those needs into the design and communication of scientific programs.
Awards:
- NOAA Sea Grant John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship (2014)
- Purdue Student Sustainability Fund Grant (2013)
- Purdue University Lynn Fellowship (2012/2013)
- Emmet Bodenberg Award for Outstanding Achievement in Environmental Biology (2012)
- Maxine and Edward Nichols Scholarship (2012)
- Mortar Board Honors Society (inducted February 2011)
- Beta Beta Beta Biology Honors Society (inducted May 2010)
- Alpha Lambda Delta Women’s Honors Society (inducted March 2009)
- USDA Certificate of Appreciation –for field season Summer 2010
- Provost Scholarship, University Women Scholarship (2008)
- Marine Technology Society Scholarship (2008)
Publications:
- Touzinsky, K. 2011. An Examination of Anthropogenic Effects on the Floridan Aquifer and Epigean Karst Features. Pholeos. 30:3-9
- Gribbins K, Rheubert J, Touzinsky K, Granados-González G, Hernández Gallegos O. 2013. Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in the Imbricate Alligator Lizard, Barisia imbricate (Reptilia, Squamata, Anguidae). Journal of Morphology. DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20117
- Rheubert, J, Touzinsky, K, Hernández-Gallegos, O, Granados-González, G, Gribbins, K. 2012. Ontogenic development of spermatids during spermiogenesis in the high altitude Bunchgrass lizard, Sceloporus bicanthalis. Landes Bioscience: Spermiogenesis 2:1-10.
- Gribbins, K, K Touzinsky, D Siegel, K Venable, G Hester, and R Elsey. 2011. Ultrastructure of the Spermatozoon of the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis (Reptilia, Crocodylia, Alligatoridae). Journal of Morphology. 272 (11): 1281-1289.
- Rheubert J, Touzinsky K, Sever D, Aldridge R, Wilmes A, Siegel D, Gribbins K. 2013. Reproductive biology of Sceloporus consibrinus (Phrynosomatidae) I. Male germ cell development and Sceloporus reproductive cycles. Journal of Herpetology. In Print.
Presentations:
- Touzinsky, K. Resilience: Clarified and Quantified in the US Army Corps of Engineers. November 2014. Restore America’s Estuaries 7th National Summit and 24th Biennial Meeting of The Coastal Society, National Harbor, MD.
- Rees, C, McCalla, GS, Touzinsky, K, Coulter, A, Goforth, R, Amberg, J. August 2014. Using eDNA to better understand habitat use, movements, and spawning of Asian carps in the Wabash River, IN. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Quebec City, PQ.
- Touzinsky, K, Rheubert, J, Gribbins, K. April 2012. Ontogenic development of spermatids during spermiogenesis in the high altitude bunchgrass lizard, Sceoloporus bicanthalis. Butler University Undergraduate Research Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
- Touzinsky, K, K Gribbins, J Rheubert. March 2012. Spermiogenesis and spermatid ultrastructure within the Imbricate Alligator Lizard, Barisia imbricata. National Conference of Undergraduate Research. Ogden, UT.
- Touzinsky, K, K Venable, B Rubbico, C Sumner, G Hester, K Gribbins. May 2010. Ultrastructure of the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Spermatozoon. Butler University Undergrad Research Conference. Indianapolis, IN.
- Touzinsky, K, K Venable, K Gribbins. November 2010. The Spermatozoon of the American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis: An Ultrastructural Study. Kentucky Academy of Science. Bowling Green, KY.
Leadership:
- Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, Advisor and Assistant to the Technical Director of Civil Works R&D: US Army Corps of Engineers HQ, Washington DC. February 2014-Present.
- Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Professional Development Committee, Washington, DC. February 2014-Present.
- ESE IGP Capturing Resilience Summit Co-Chair: Purdue University, October 21-22nd 2013.
- Winning Back the Wabash-- Cook 'em Up and Clean 'em Out, West Lafayette, IN. Summer 2013.
- Peer-to-Peer Mentor: Ecological Science and Engineering IGP Colloquium—Sustainability, Resilience, and Human Impacts. Purdue University, Fall Semester 2013.
- Teaching Assistant: Wildlife Techniques, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, Spring Semester 2013
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