SEAL Team
UCLA SEALs are from more than 10 different countries from 5 continents in the world. Diversity of the group is our strength: each member has unique strength and learning background, which is helpful in solving complex environmental problems. Currently, we have 6 Ph.D. students, 1 M.S. student, and 10 undergraduate students. All members are being trained to think on their feet, given opportunities to lead independent and assisted studies, publish in peer-review journals as authors or coauthors, and participate in public speaking at K12 schools, local agencies, and professional conferences. SEALab alumni are working in engineering firms and academic institutions.
UCLA SEALs (November 2021, left to right): Sanjay (and Sriyan) Mohanty, Weiyang Zhao, Kevin Lin Yang, Tonoy Das, Onja Raoelison, Srijan Satpathy, Annesh Borthakur, Samiha Karim, Shruti Indiresen, Vera Smirnova, Jamie Leonard, Samantha Prehm, and Renan Valenca.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Sanjay Mohanty
Associate Professor, Environmental Engineering.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UCLA.
Postdoc. Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, USA.
Postdoc. Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, USA.
Ph.D., Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, USA.
M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, USA.
Postdoc
Chandra Mouli Tummala, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher.
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, USA.
Email: ctummala at ucla dot edu
Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Wayne State University, USA.
M.S., Civil Engineering, Bradley University, India.
B.Tech., Civil Engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Kakinada, India.
Projects: Stormwater treatment design to remove PFAS and microplastics.
Research Interest:
Publications:
Fun facts:
Tonoy Das, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Researcher.
Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, USA.
Email: tdas at ucla dot edu
Ph.D., Environmental and Conservation Sciences, North Dakota State University, USA.
M.S., Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University, India.
B.S., Agriculture, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, India.
Projects: Stormwater treatment design in roadside and wildfire impacts on water quality.
Research Interest:
Tonoy is interested in working on the intersection of environmental chemistry, water treatment, and environmental remediation. His research is aimed to understand the fate and transport of emerging and legacy pollutants at local, regional, and global levels in natural and engineered systems in response to climate change with the overarching goal to design sustainable solutions to protect the water quality for drinking and agricultural production. At SEALab, Tonoy is working on a variety of projects: 1) impact of wildfire residues in subsurface soil and surface water; 2) stormwater treatment system design in roadside where compaction is required ; 3) Freeze-thaw cycles and its impact on biochemical reactions in soil or stormwater biofilters.
Publications:
Das, T., Nayak, H.P., Mohanty, S.K (202X) Freeze-thaw cycles enhanced the biogeochemical activities in compacted soil: Implications on roadside biofilter design. Environmental Pollution. [In Preparation]
Das, T., Mohanty, S. (202X) Freeze-thaw cycles enrich PFAS on microplastics and increase their toxicity. JHM Letters. [In Preparation]
Das, T.K., Han, Z., Banerjee, S., Raoelison, O.D., Adeleye, A.S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) PFAS release from the subsurface and capillary fringe during managed aquifer recharge. Environmental Pollution. 123166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123166
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Guyett, K., Merrifield, R., Visweswaran, A., Indiresan, S., Lin Yang, K., Pierce, G., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) Resilience of stormwater biofilters following the deposition of wildfire residues: Implication on downstream water quality management in wildfire-prone regions. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 132989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132989.
Das, T. K., Raoelison, O.D., Rehman, H., Zhang, Y., Chao, W., Thamiz, L., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty S.K. (2023) Use of Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate Aggregates and Biochar in the Clear Zone of Road Infrastructures for Sustainable Treatment of Stormwater. Journal of Cleaner Production. 139443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139443.
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Visweswaran, A., Guyett, K., Spallone, S., Ramos, R., Merrifield, R., Dittrich, T.M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Do Drinking Water Treatment Residuals Underperform in the Presence of Compost in Stormwater Biofilters? Science of the Total Environment. 166635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166635.
Gunther, H. J, Das, T.K., Leonard, J., Koutnik, V. S., El Rassi, L., Tang, Z., and Mohanty, S. (2023) UV exposure to PET microplastics increases their downward mobility in stormwater biofilters undergoing freeze-thaw cycles. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00975G
Das, T.K., Le, H., Stenstrom, M.K., Ravi, S., and Mohanty S. K. (2023) The Amount of Sand Required to Transform Roadside Compacted Soil into Sustainable Stormwater Treatment Solutions. Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment. Volume 9, Issue 4. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.SWENG-510
Das, T.K., Kabir, A., Zhao, W., Stenstrom, M., Dittrich, T. M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) A review of compaction effect on subsurface processes in soil: Implications on stormwater treatment in roadside compacted soil. Science of the Total Environment. 160121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160121.
Borthakur, A., Das, T.K., Zhanga, Y., Libbert, S., Prehn, S., Ramos, P., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Rechargeable stormwater biofilters: In situ regeneration of PFAS removal capacity by using a cationic polymer, Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride. Journal of Cleaner Production. 134244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134244.
Fun facts:
Tonoy was born in India. He is very much into science fiction, comics and detective novels. Tonoy is enthusiastic about hiking and camping. He likes reading about ancient civilization history.
Ph.D. Students
Research Interest:
Irena is interested in understanding the fate and transport of emerging pollutants and their toxicity in agricultural and aquatic environments.
Publication(s):
Downs SM, Fox EL, Mutuku V, Muindi Z, Fatima T, Pavlovic I, Husain S, Sabbahi M, Kimenju S, Ahmed S. Food Environments and Their Influence on Food Choices: A Case Study in Informal Settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Nutrients. 2022 Jun 21;14(13):2571. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132571.
Fun Facts:
Irena is a certified PADI scuba diver and has dove in 5 continents. She also enjoys hiking and cooking in her spare time.
Research Interest:
Onja is interested in developing engineering and management solutions to mitigate the negative impacts of wildfires. In particular, her research examines the potential of stormwater treatment systems to remove wildfire-derived contaminants and the effect of those contaminants on the performance of stormwater treatment systems.
Publications:
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Visweswaran, A., Mohanty, S.K. How can wildfires influence disinfection by-products (DBPs) formation in detention ponds?Water Research. [In preparation]
Raoelison, O.D., Dixie, K., Mohanty, S.K. Innovative cohort-based research experience in Environmental Engineering course to promote science identity among undergraduate students. Journal of Engineering Education. [Will be submitted soon]
Indireson, S., Valenca, R., Raoelison, O.D., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S. (202X) Wildfire residue deposition affects biochemical cycling of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon in wetland. Water Research. [In preparation]
Das, T.K., Han, Z., Banerjee, S., Raoelison, O.D., Adeleye, A.S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) PFAS release from the subsurface and capillary fringe during managed aquifer recharge. Environmental Pollution. 123166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123166
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Guyett, K., Merrifield, R., Visweswaran, A., Indiresan, S., Lin Yang, K., Pierce, G., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) Resilience of stormwater biofilters following the deposition of wildfire residues: Implication on downstream water quality management in wildfire-prone regions. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 132989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132989.
Das, T. K., Raoelison, O.D., Rehman, H., Zhang, Y., Chao, W., Thamiz, L., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty S.K. (2023) Use of Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate Aggregates and Biochar in the Clear Zone of Road Infrastructures for Sustainable Treatment of Stormwater. Journal of Cleaner Production. 139443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139443.
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Visweswaran, A., Guyett, K., Spallone, S., Ramos, R., Merrifield, R., Dittrich, T.M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Do Drinking Water Treatment Residuals Underperform in the Presence of Compost in Stormwater Biofilters? Science of the Total Environment. 166635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166635.
Raoelison, O.D, Valenca, R., Lee, A., Karim, S., Webster, J.P., Pouline, B.A., and Mohanty, S. (2023) Wildfire impacts on surface water quality parameters: Cause of data variability and reporting needs. Environmental Pollution. 120713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120713
Awards:
2024 ASCE LA YMF Dr Bill Goodin Outstanding Mentor Scholarship
2023 UCLA Dissertation Year Fellowship
2023 John Ries Scholarship Award
2023 Kirt Brooks Memorial Water Environment California Water Environment Association Scholarship
2023 AWWA Woodard & Curran
2023 Distinguished Teaching Award for Teaching Assistants
2023 AEESP Travel grant award
2023 Martin Rubin Scholarship
NSBE 49th National Convention, Elevator Pitch Competition, 1st place
SWE-LA (Society of Women Engineers-Los Angeles) Graduate Scholarship
SWE-LA Inaugural Graduate Academia Research Symposium, 2nd Place Winner
NSBE 49th National Convention, Elevator Pitch Competition, 1st place
2023 NSBE Academic Improvement Scholarship
2023 ASCE Los Angeles Section Outstanding Graduate Student Award
2023 ASCE Los Angeles Younger Member Forum Outstanding Graduate Student Award
2023 ASCE Le Val Lund Memorial Graduate Scholarship Award
2023 SABER (Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research) West CIRTL@UCLA Travel Award
2022 NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) Region VI Fall Regional Conference Technical Research Competition, 1st place
2022 UCLA Affiliates Private Endowment Scholarship
2022 California Stormwater Quality Association (CASQA) Fellowship
2022 American Society of Civil Engineers Los Angeles Younger Member Forum (ASCE) INWED Scholarship
2022 Malcolm R. Stacey Scholarship
2022 AWWA (American Water Works Association) Arcadis Scholarship
2022 GradSWE @UCLA Empowerment Scholarship
2022 UCLA Cross-Campus Innovation Challenge in Sustainability, 2nd place
2021 NSF Research Traineeship - NRT INFEWS, University of California Los Angeles.
2021 UCLA Summer Mentored Research Fellowship
Fun Facts:
Onja enjoys practicing sports like fitness and basketball, and she was a competitive swimmer for more than 10 years. She was born in Madagascar and has dual citizenship from France and Madagascar.
Jamie Leonard, Ph.D. Candidate
Email: jamieleonard89605 at gmail dot com
M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, 2021.
B.S., Environmental Science, University of California Los Angeles, 2020.
Dissertation topic: Airborne microplastics: Resuspension mechanisms
Research Interest:
Jamie is interested in mechanism of microplastic entrainment into air, and how exposure toxicity is related their surface properties.
Publication(s):
Leonard, J., Koutnik, V., Sankar, M. S., Katkar, A., El Rassi, L.; Choy, M., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Li, C., Dash, P., Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Microplastics in the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico reveal historic deposition. Marine Pollution Bulletin. [Submitted]
Leonard, J., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2024) Preferential emission of microplastics from biosolid-applied agricultural soils: Field evidence and theoretical framework Environmental Science & Technology Letters. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00850
Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Samad, M.A., Prehn, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) The relative importance of local climate and land use on the dry deposition rate of airborne microplastics on terrestrial land. Atmospheric Environment. 120212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.120212.
Gunther, H. J, Das, T.K., Leonard, J., Koutnik, V. S., El Rassi, L., Tang, Z., and Mohanty, S. (2023) UV exposure to PET microplastics increases their downward mobility in stormwater biofilters undergoing freeze-thaw cycles. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00975G
Leonard, J., Borthakur, A., Koutnik, V.S., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cower, W., Dittrich, T.M., Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Challenges of using leaves as a biomonitoring system to assess airborne microplastic pollution in urban areas. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 101651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101651
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Choy, M. M., Brar, J., Glasman, J.B., Cowger, W., and Mohanty, S. (2022) Children's playgrounds contain more microplastics than other areas in urban parks. Science of the Total Environment. 158866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158866
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Brar, J., Cao, S., Glasman, J.B., R., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Transport of microplastics in stormwater treatment systems under freeze-thaw cycles: Critical role of plastic density. Water Research. 118950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.118950
Leonard, J., Koydemir, H.C., Koutnik, V.S., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Smartphone enabled rapid quantification of microplastics. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 100052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2022.100052
Koutnik, V.S., Borthakur, A., Leonard, J., Alkidim, S., Koydemir, H.C., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Mobility of polypropylene microplastics in stormwater biofilters under freeze-thaw cycles. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 100048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2022.100048.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Glasman, J.B., Koydemir, H.C., Novoselov, A., Brar, J., Bertel, R., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Microplastics retained in stormwater control measures: Where do they come from and where do they go? Water Research. 118008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.118008
Borthakur, A., Leonard, J., Koutnik. V., Ravi, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Inhalation risks from wind-blown dust in biosolid-applied agricultural lands: Are they enriched with microplastics and PFAS? Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. 100309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100309
Koutnik, V.S., Alkidim, S., Leonard, J., DePrima, F., Cao, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Unaccounted microplastics in wastewater sludge: Where do they go? ES&T Water. 1, 5, 1086–1097. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.0c00267
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Alkidim, S., DePrima, F., Ravi, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Distribution of microplastics in soil and freshwater environments: Global analysis and framework for transport modeling. Environmental Pollution. 116552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116552
Awards:
2020-2021 Outstanding CEE Master of Sciences Student Award at UCLA
2020 NSF GRFP
Fun Facts:
She is a native southern Californian, half Srilankan, and half Irish.
Undergraduate Students
Carmen Kettrick, B.S. Student
Email: carmenkettrick at ucla dot edu
B.S., Environmental Science, UCLA (Expected 2025)
Topic: Water sustainability
Research Interest:
Publication(s):
Fun Facts:
Carmen is from San Diego and loves to travel with friends!
Angela Ke, B.S. Student
Email: angelake at ucla dot edu
B.S., Environmental Science, UCLA (Expected 2026)
Topic: Water reuse
Research Interest:
Understanding how stormwater can be managed and reused for climate resiliency
Publication(s):
Fun Facts:
Angela has been highlining in Yosemite and enjoys hiking and camping on the weekends!
Ananya Visweswaran, B.S. Student
Email: ajvisweswaran at ucla dot edu
B.S., Environmental Science, UCLA (Expected 2024)
Topic: Wildfire impacts on green infrastructure and water quality
Research Interest:
Understanding how to mitigate the environmental impacts of pollution, green infrastructure, and environmental impacts on the Global South.
Publication(s):
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Guyett, K., Merrifield, R., Visweswaran, A., Indiresan, S., Lin Yang, K., Pierce, G., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) Resilience of stormwater biofilters following the deposition of wildfire residues: Implication on downstream water quality management in wildfire-prone regions. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 132989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132989.
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T.K., Visweswaran, A., Guyett, K., Spallone, S., Ramos, R., Merrifield, R., Dittrich, T.M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Do Drinking Water Treatment Residuals Underperform in the Presence of Compost in Stormwater Biofilters? Science of the Total Environment. 166635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166635.
Fun Facts:
Ananya speaks English, Dutch, and French, and is learning Chinese!
Lea Ann El Rassi, B.S. Student
Email: elrassilea at ucla dot edu
B.S., Physiological Sciences, UCLA (Expected 2024)
Topic: Microplastics accumulation in playgrounds.
Research Interest:
Understanding how microplastics accumulate in environments and their impacts on human health.
Publication(s):
Leonard, J., Koutnik, V., Sankar, M. S., Katkar, A., El Rassi, L.A., Choy, M., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Li, C., Dash, P., Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Microplastics in the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico reveal historic deposition. Marine Pollution Bulletin. [Submitted on December 23, 2022.]
Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Samad, M.A., Prehn, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) The relative importance of local climate and land use on the dry deposition rate of airborne microplastics on terrestrial land. Atmospheric Environment. 120212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.120212.
Gunther, H. J, Das, T.K., Leonard, J., Koutnik, V. S., El Rassi, L., Tang, Z., and Mohanty, S. (2023) UV exposure to PET microplastics increases their downward mobility in stormwater biofilters undergoing freeze-thaw cycles. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00975G
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Choy, M. M., Brar, J., Glasman, J.B., Cowger, W., and Mohanty, S. (2022) Children's playgrounds contain more microplastics than other areas in urban parks. Science of the Total Environment. 158866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158866.
Fun Facts:
Lea enjoys baking, swimming, and traveling!
Collaborators
Shaily Mahendra, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. UCLA.
Collaboration topics: Bioremediation; Soil Microbiome; PFAS fate and treatment.
Research Interest:
Environmental microbiology, biodegradation of groundwater contaminants, microbial-nanomaterial interactions, nanotoxicology, applications of molecular biological and isotopic tools in environmental engineering.
Project:
Principal Investigator, Evaluation of PFAS Retardation and Treatment Processes. Department of Defense/ GSI Environmental, Inc. /Navy (Naval Fac. Eng. Command).
Collaborative Publications:
Borthakur, A., Das, T.K., Zhanga, Y., Libbert, S., Prehn, S., Ramos, P., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Rechargeable stormwater biofilters: In situ regeneration of PFAS removal capacity by using a cationic polymer, Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride. Journal of Cleaner Production. 134244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134244.
Ramos, P., Kalra, S.S, Johnson, N.W., Khor, C.M, Borthakur, A., Cranmer, B., Dooley, G., Mohanty, S.K., Jassby, D., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S. (2022) Enhanced Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Complex Matrices by polyDADMAC-Coated Regenerable Granular Activated Carbon. Environmental Pollution. 118603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118603
Kalra, S.S, Cranmer, B., Dooley, G., Hanson, A.J., Maraviov, S., Mohanty, S.K., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S. (2021) Sonolytic Destruction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Mixtures, Groundwater, AFFF, and Investigation Derived Waste. Chemical Engineering Journal. 425. 121778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.131778
Borthakur, A., Olsen, P., Dooley, G., Cranmer, B.K., Rao, U., Hoek, E.M.V., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles enhance PFOA leaching from subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 2. 100029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2021.100029
Borthakur, A., Wang, M., He, M., Ascensio, K., Adamson, D., and Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Perfluoroalkyl acids on suspended particles: Unexplored transport pathways in surface water and subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 417. 126159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126159
Borthakur, A., Cranmer, B.K., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Release of soil colloids during flow interruption increases the pore-water PFAS concentration in saturated soil. Environmental Pollution. 286, 117297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117297
Berger, A.W., Valenca, R., Miao, Y., Ravi, S., Mahendra, S. and Mohanty, S.K., 2019. Biochar increases nitrate removal capacity of woodchip biofilters during high-intensity rainfall. Water research. 165, 115008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115008
Wang, M., Mohanty, S. K., Mahendra, S. (2019) Nanomaterial-Supported Enzymes for Water Purification and Monitoring in Point-of-Use Water Supply Systems. Accounts of chemical research 52 (4), 876-885 https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.accounts.8b00613
Michael Stenstrom, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. UCLA.
Collaboration topics: Stormwater Management; Wastewater Treatment.
Research Interest:
Prof. Stenstorm's research interests center around process development for water and wastewater treatment systems, including mathematical modeling and optimization. More recently he has applied these mathematical techniques to urban runoff and stormwater issues.
Project:
Co-Principal Investigator, Coupled effect of compaction and amendment properties on the efficiency of stormwater treatment system in Clear Recovery Zone. California Transportation Agency (Caltrans).
Collaborative Publications:
Das, T. K., Raoelison, O.D., Rehman, H., Zhang, Y., Chao, W., Thamiz, L., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty S.K. (2023) Use of Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate Aggregates and Biochar in the Clear Zone of Road Infrastructures for Sustainable Treatment of Stormwater. Journal of Cleaner Production. 139443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139443.
Das, T.K., Le, H., Stenstrom, M.K., Ravi, S., and Mohanty S. K. (2023) The Amount of Sand Required to Transform Roadside Compacted Soil into Sustainable Stormwater Treatment Solutions. Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment. Volume 9, Issue 4. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.SWENG-510
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Cira, M., Jay, J., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Adding a submerged layer to the stormwater biofilter design could increase antibiotic resistance genes concentration in the effluent. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 149 (7), 06023001. https://doi.org/10.1061/JOEEDU.EEENG-7297
Das, T.K., Kabir, A., Zhao, W., Stenstrom, M.K., Dittrich, T. M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) A review of compaction effect on subsurface processes in soil: Implications on stormwater treatment in roadside compacted soil. Science of the Total Environment. 160121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160121.
Borthakur, A., Chhour, K., Gayle, H., Prehn, S., Stenstorm, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Natural aging of expanded shale, clay, and slate (ESCS) amendment with heavy metals in stormwater increases its antibacterial properties: Implications on biofilter design. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 128309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128309
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Valenca, R., McAdam, M., Khor, C., Dittrich, T.M., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Iron amendment minimizes the first-flush release of pathogens from stormwater biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 116989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116989.
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Zu, Y., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Biochar selection for Escherichia coli removal in stormwater biofilters. Journal of Environmental Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001843
Le, H., Valenca, R., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Size-dependent biochar breaking under compaction: Implications on clogging and pathogen removal in biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 115195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115195
Ghavanloughajar, M., Le, H., Rahman, M.D., Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Compaction conditions affect the capacity of biochar-amended sand filters to treat road runoff. Science of the Total Environment. 735, 139180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139180
Eric Hoek, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. UCLA.
Topics: Particle interaction; Microplastics; PFAS.
Research Interest:
Membrane materials and processes; Nanoscience and nanotechnology; Interfacial science and engineering; Bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation; Desalination and advanced water treatment.
Collaborative Publications:
Borthakur, A., Olsen, P., Dooley, G., Cranmer, B.K., Rao, U., Hoek, E.M.V., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles enhance PFOA leaching from subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 2. 100029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2021.100029
Koutnik, V.S., Alkidim, S., Leonard, D. J., DePrima, F., Cao, S., Hoek, E.M.V, and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Unaccounted microplastics in wastewater sludge: Where do they go? ES&T Water. 1, 5, 1086–1097. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.0c00267
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, D. J., Alkidim, S., DePrima, F., Ravi, S., Hoek, E.M.V, and Mohanty, S. (2021) Distribution of microplastics in soil and freshwater environments: Global analysis and framework for transport modeling. Environmental Pollution. 116552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116552
Sujith Ravi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Earth & Environmental Science Department. Temple University
Topics: Microplastics; Aeolian Transport; Biochar in terrestrial Environment.
Research Interest:
Dr. Ravi's research is directed to understanding the impacts of climate change and anthropogenic activities on surface processes in terrestrial ecosystems, in the context of ecosystem degradation. Topics include managing scarce soil and water resources in the context of multiple demands and multiple constraints associated with land-use change and disturbances, the core challenge facing the future of world's food security and environmental quality.
Collaborative Publications:
Raabe, M., Caplan, J. S., Mohanty, S. K., and Ravi, S. (202X) Biochar mitigates the negative impact of compaction on the hydraulic performance of engineered soil media. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology [In Review]
Leonard, J., Koutnik, V., Sankar, M. S., Katkar, A., El Rassi, L.; Choy, M., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Li, C., Dash, P., Mohanty, S.K. Microplastics in the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico reveal historic deposition. Marine Pollution Bulletin. [In review]
Leonard, J., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2024) Preferential emission of microplastics from biosolid-applied agricultural soils: Field evidence and theoretical framework Environmental Science & Technology Letters. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.estlett.3c00850
Das, T.K., Le, H., Stenstrom, M.K., Ravi, S., and Mohanty S. K. (2023) The Amount of Sand Required to Transform Roadside Compacted Soil into Sustainable Stormwater Treatment Solutions. Journal of Sustainable Water in the Built Environment. Volume 9, Issue 4. https://doi.org/10.1061/JSWBAY.SWENG-510
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Brar, J., Cao, S., Glasman, J.B., R., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Transport of microplastics in stormwater treatment systems under freeze-thaw cycles: Critical role of plastic density. Water Research. 118950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.118950
Koutnik, V.S., Borthakur, A., Leonard, J., Alkidim, S., Koydemir, H.C., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Mobility of polypropylene microplastics in stormwater biofilters under freeze-thaw cycles. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 100048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2022.100048.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Glasman, J.B., Koydemir, H.C., Novoselov, A., Brar, J., Bertel, R., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Microplastics retained in stormwater control measures: Where do they come from and where do they go? Water Research. 118008. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.118008
Borthakur, A., Leonard, J., Koutnik. V., Ravi, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Inhalation risks from wind-blown dust in biosolid-applied agricultural lands: Are they enriched with microplastics and PFAS? Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. 100309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100309
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, D. J., Alkidim, S., DePrima, F., Ravi, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Distribution of microplastics in soil and freshwater environments: Global analysis and framework for transport modeling. Environmental Pollution. 116552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116552
*Alam, S., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Gebremichael, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Managed aquifer recharge implementation criteria to achieve water sustainability. Science of the Total Environment. 144992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.144992.
Ravi, S. Li, J., Meng, Z., Zhang, J., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Generation, resuspension, and transport of particulate matter from biochar-amended soils: A potential health risk. Geohealth. 4, e2020GH000311. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GH000311.
Le, H., Valenca, R., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Size-dependent biochar breaking under compaction: Implications on clogging and pathogen removal in biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 115195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115195
Ghavanloughajar, M., Le, H., Rahman, M.D., Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Compaction conditions affect the capacity of biochar-amended sand filters to treat road runoff. Science of the Total Environment. 735, 139180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139180
Berger, A.W., Valenca, R., Miao, Y., Ravi, S., Mahendra, S. and Mohanty, S.K., 2019. Biochar increases nitrate removal capacity of woodchip biofilters during high-intensity rainfall. Water research. 165, 115008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115008
Trifunovic, B., Gonzales, H. B., Ravi, S., Sharratt, B. S., Mohanty, S.K. (2018) Dynamic effects of biochar concentration and particle size on hydraulic properties of sand. Land Degradation & Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.2906
Timothy Dittrich, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Wayne State University
Topics: Stormwater Management; Rare Earth Element Extraction.
Research Interest:
Contaminant transport modeling, studying how small clay particles help radioactive materials move faster through shallow surface and groundwater environments.
Project:
Principal Investigator, Coupled Hydrothermal Extraction and Ligand-Associated Organosilica Media Recovery of REEs from Coal Fly Ash. Department of Energy (DOE).
Collaborative Publications:
Tummala, C.M., Dardona, M., Praneeth, S., Mohanty, S.K., Dittrich, T.M. (2023) Iron-coated nutshell waste bioadsorbents: Synthesis, phosphate remediation, and subsequent fertilizer application. Environmental Research. 117468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2023.117468
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T.K., Visweswaran, A., Guyett, K., Spallone, S., Ramos, R., Merrifield, R., Dittrich, T.M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Do Drinking Water Treatment Residuals Underperform in the Presence of Compost in Stormwater Biofilters? Science of the Total Environment. 166635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166635.
Dardona, M., Mohanty, S.K., Allen, M.J., and Dittrich, T.M. (2023) From ash to oxides: Recovery of rare-earth elements as a step towards valorization of coal fly ash waste. Separation and Purification Technology. 123532. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2023.123532
Leonard, J., Borthakur, A., Koutnik, V.S., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cower, W., Dittrich, T.M., Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Challenges of using leaves as a biomonitoring system to assess airborne microplastic pollution in urban areas. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 101651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101651.
Das, T.K., Kabir, A., Zhao, W., Stenstrom, M., Dittrich, T. M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) A review of compaction effect on subsurface processes in soil: Implications on stormwater treatment in roadside compacted soil. Science of the Total Environment. 160121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160121.
O'Leary, B.F, Hill, A.B., Akers, K.G., Esparra-Escalera, H.J., Lucas, A., Raoufi, G., Huang, Y., Mariscal, N., Mohanty, S.K., Tummala, C.M., Dittrich, T.M. (2021) Air Quality Monitoring and Measurement in an Urban Airshed: Contextualizing Datasets from the Detroit Michigan area from 1952-2020. Science of the Total Environment. 152120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152120
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Valenca, R., McAdam, M., Khor, C., Dittrich, T.M., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Iron amendment minimizes the first-flush release of pathogens from stormwater biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 116989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116989
Valenca, R., Le, H., Zu, Y., Dittrich, T.M., Tsang, D.C.W., Dutta, R., Sarkar, D., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Nitrate removal uncertainty in stormwater control measures: Is the design or climate a culprit? Water Research, 116781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116781
Valenca, R., Ramnath, K., Dittrich, T.M., Taylor, R. E., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Microbial quality of surface water and subsurface soil after wildfire. Water Research. 175, 115672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.115672
Jens Blotevogel, Ph.D.
Research Assistant Professor, Colorado State University
Topics: PFAS fate and treatment
Research Interest:
Dr. Blotevogel’s research interests revolve around the fate of emerging contaminants, conducting laboratory- and field-scale experiments to elucidate degradation in both natural and engineered systems. He has developed innovative water treatment technologies, theoretical models for contaminant degradation pathways and kinetics, as well as various analytical techniques with focus on high-resolution mass spectrometry.
Project:
Principal Investigator, Evaluation of PFAS Retardation and Treatment Processes. Department of Defense/ GSI Environmental, Inc. /Navy (Naval Fac. Eng. Command).
Collaborative Publications:
Borthakur, A., Das, T.K., Zhanga, Y., Libbert, S., Prehn, S., Ramos, P., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Rechargeable stormwater biofilters: In situ regeneration of PFAS removal capacity by using a cationic polymer, Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride. Journal of Cleaner Production. 134244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134244.
Ramos, P., Kalra, S.S, Johnson, N.W., Khor, C.M, Borthakur, A., Cranmer, B., Dooley, G., Mohanty, S.K., Jassby, D., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S. (202X) Enhanced Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Complex Matrices by polyDADMAC-Coated Regenerable Granular Activated Carbon. Environmental Pollution. 118603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118603
Kalra, S.S, Cranmer, B., Dooley, G., Hanson, A.J., Maraviov, S., Mohanty, S.K., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S. (2021) Sonolytic Destruction of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Mixtures, Groundwater, AFFF, and Investigation Derived Waste. Chemical Engineering Journal. 425. 121778. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2021.131778
Borthakur, A., Olsen, P., Dooley, G., Cranmer, B.K., Rao, U., Hoek, E.M.V., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles enhance PFOA leaching from subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 2. 100029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2021.100029
Borthakur, A., Wang, M., He, M., Ascensio, K., Adamson, D., and Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Perfluoroalkyl acids on suspended particles: Unexplored transport pathways in surface water and subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 417. 126159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126159
Borthakur, A., Cranmer, B.K., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Release of soil colloids during flow interruption increases the pore-water PFAS concentration in saturated soil. Environmental Pollution. 286, 117297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117297
SEALab Alumni
Ph.D. Student
Vera Smirnova, Ph.D. 2022
Email: vsmirnova at ucla dot edu
M.S., Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, NY, USA.
B.S., Chemical Engineering, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
Dissertation topic: Microplastics fate and impact in stormwater biofilters
Research Interest:
Vera is interested in understanding how microplastics travel and accumulate in the subsurface environments and biofilters. She currently examines the fate of microplastics in the terrestrial environment.
Publication(s):
Leonard, J., Koutnik, V.S., Sankar, M. S., Katkar, A., El Rassi, L.; Choy, M., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Li, C., Dash, P., Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Microplastics in the ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico reveal historic deposition. Marine Pollution Bulletin. [Submitted]
Gunther, H. J, Das, T.K., Leonard, J., Koutnik, V. S., El Rassi, L., Tang, Z., and Mohanty, S. (2023) UV exposure to PET microplastics increases their downward mobility in stormwater biofilters undergoing freeze-thaw cycles. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00975G
Leonard, J., Borthakur, A., Koutnik, V.S., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cower, W., Dittrich, T.M., Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Challenges of using leaves as a biomonitoring system to assess airborne microplastic pollution in urban areas. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 101651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101651.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Choy, M. M., Brar, J., Glasman, J.B., Cowger, W., and Mohanty, S. (2022) Children's playgrounds contain more microplastics than other areas in urban parks. Science of the Total Environment. 158866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158866.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Brar, J., Cao, S., Glasman, J.B., R., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Transport of microplastics in stormwater treatment systems under freeze-thaw cycles: Critical role of plastic density. Water Research. 118950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.118950
Leonard, J., Koydemir, H.C., Koutnik, V.S., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Smartphone enabled rapid quantification of microplastics. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 100052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2022.100052
Koutnik, V.S., Borthakur, A., Leonard, J., Alkidim, S., Koydemir, H.C., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Mobility of polypropylene microplastics in stormwater biofilters under freeze-thaw cycles. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 100048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2022.100048.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Glasman, J.B., Koydemir, H.C., Novoselov, A., Brar, J., Bertel, R., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Microplastics retained in stormwater control measures: Where do they come from and where do they go? Water Research. 118008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.118008
Borthakur, A., Leonard, J., Koutnik. V., Ravi, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Inhalation risks from wind-blown dust in biosolid-applied agricultural lands: Are they enriched with microplastics and PFAS? Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. 100309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100309
Koutnik, V.S., Alkidim, S., Leonard, D. J., DePrima, F., Cao, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Unaccounted microplastics in wastewater sludge: Where do they go? ES&T Water. 1, 5, 1086–1097. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.0c00267
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, D. J., Alkidim, S., DePrima, F., Ravi, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Distribution of microplastics in soil and freshwater environments: Global analysis and framework for transport modeling. Environmental Pollution. 116552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116552
Awards:
2022 UCLA Samueli Harry M. Showman Prize.
2022 UCLA Samueli Engineering Achievement Award in Student Welfare.
2021-22 NSF Research Traineeship - NRT INFEWS, University of California Los Angeles.
2021 UCLA Samueli Graduate Society of Women Engineers (GradSWE) Scholarship
2021 Presidential Service Award - Graduate Student Association (GSA) – for contributions to the UCLA Community
Fun Facts:
Vera likes playing volleyball, spending time outdoors, and playing board games with friends. She has two cats named after Mexican restaurants in San Diego: Rigoberto's (Rigo) and Lolita's (Leela). She was born in Russia.
Annesh Borthakur, Ph.D. 2022
Email: annesh at ucla dot edu
M.S., Civil Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.
B.S., Civil Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, India.
Dissertation topic: Biogeochemical fingerprinting of stormwater biofilters using soil colloids.
Research Interest:
Annesh is interested about how soil colloid surface chemistry reveals biogeochemical processes in the systems from which the colloids are released from, and apply this technique to understand the resilience of stormwater treatment systems and remediated lands. Annesh has also explored the fate and transport of PFAS in the subsurface, particularly in association with natural soil colloids.
Publications:
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Karim, S., Das, T., and Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Critical role of biochar in building climate-resilient stormwater infiltration system. Water Research. [In Preparation]
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Cira, M., Jay, J., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Adding a submerged layer to the stormwater biofilter design could increase antibiotic resistance genes concentration in the effluent. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 149 (7), 06023001. https://doi.org/10.1061/JOEEDU.EEENG-7297
Leonard, J., Borthakur, A., Koutnik, V.S., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cower, W., Dittrich, T.M., Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Challenges of using leaves as a biomonitoring system to assess airborne microplastic pollution in urban areas. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 101651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101651
Borthakur, A., Das, T.K., Zhanga, Y., Libbert, S., Prehn, S., Ramos, P., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Rechargeable stormwater biofilters: In situ regeneration of PFAS removal capacity by using a cationic polymer, Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride. Journal of Cleaner Production. 134244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134244.
Borthakur, A., Chhour, K., Gayle, H., Prehn, S., Stenstorm, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Natural aging of expanded shale, clay, and slate (ESCS) amendment with heavy metals in stormwater increases its antibacterial properties: Implications on biofilter design. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 128309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128309
Koutnik, V.S., Borthakur, A., Leonard, J., Alkidim, S., Koydemir, H.C., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Mobility of polypropylene microplastics in stormwater biofilters under freeze-thaw cycles. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 100048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2022.100048.
Ramos, P., Kalra, S.S, Johnson, N.W., Khor, C.M, Borthakur, A., Cranmer, B., Dooley, G., Mohanty, S.K., Jassby, D., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S. (2022) Enhanced Removal of Anionic Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Complex Matrices by polyDADMAC-Stabilized Regenerable Granular Activated Carbon. Environmental Pollution. 118603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118603
Borthakur, A.,Leonard, J., Koutnik. V., Ravi, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Inhalation risks from wind-blown dust in biosolid-applied agricultural lands: Are they enriched with microplastics and PFAS? Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health. 100309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coesh.2021.100309
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Le, H., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Biochar Role in Improving Pathogens Removal Capacity of Stormwater Biofilters. Advances in Chemical Pollution, Environmental Management and Protection: Biochar: Fundamentals and Applications in Environmental Science and Remediation Technologies. Volume 6. Editor: Ajit Sarmah. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apmp.2021.08.007
Borthakur, A., Olsen, P., Dooley, G., Cranmer, B.K., Rao, U., Hoek, E.M.V., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles enhance PFOA leaching from subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 2. 100029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2021.100029
Borthakur, A., Wang, M., He, M., Ascensio, K., Adamson, D., and Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Perfluoroalkyl acids on suspended particles: Unexplored transport pathways in surface water and subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 417. 126159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126159
Borthakur, A., Cranmer, B.K., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Release of soil colloids during flow interruption increases the pore-water PFAS concentration in saturated soil. Environmental Pollution. 286, 117297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117297
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Valenca, R., McAdam, M., Khor, C., Dittrich, T.M., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Iron amendment minimizes the first-flush release of pathogens from stormwater biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 116989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116989.
Alam, S., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Gebremichael, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Managed aquifer recharge implementation criteria to achieve water sustainability. Science of the Total Environment. 144992. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.144992.
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Zu, Y., Stenstrom, M. K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Biochar selection for Escherichia coli removal in stormwater biofilters. Journal of Environmental Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001843.
Ghavanloughajar, M., Le, H., Rahman, M.D., Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Compaction conditions affect the capacity of biochar-amended sand filters to treat road runoff. Science of the Total Environment. 735, 139180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139180.
Awards:
2021 Environmental Research and Education Foundation’s Scholarship
2021 United Contractors (UCON) Scholarship Award
2019-20 John Ries Scholarship
Fun facts:
Annesh is the receiver of the inaugural John Ries Scholarship. Annesh is an avid reader of fantasy novels. He had started with the Chronicles of Narnia and is now reading the Inheritance cycle. He loves swimming. Annesh is always positive and smiling, even in the most stressful situations. In SEALab, everyone pulls his leg when he does silly things, but he takes everything very sportively. Annesh was born in Assam, India.
Renan Valenca, Ph.D. 2022
Email: revalenca at ucla dot edu
M.S., Civil Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.
B.S., Chemical Engineering, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
Dissertation topic: Resilient stormwater biofilter to mitigate water quality impairment during climate change.
Research Interest:
Renan is interested in water management, waste reuse, climate change and sustainable development tools. Renan's doctoral study is on how to design stormwater biofilters that can be resilient under changing climate conditions. Specific topics under his research are: 1) impact of wildfire residues in subsurface soil and surface water, 2) redox manipulation of biofilter by direct current to enhance contaminant removal, 3) fungi amended biofilter to remove redox-sensitive contaminants, 4) biofilter’s microbiome response to climate stressors.
Publications:
Indireson, S., Valenca, R., Davidson, O., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S. (202X) Wildfire residue deposition affects biochemical cycling of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon in wetland. Water Research. [In preparation]
Valenca, R., McKnight, Q., Mohanty, S.K. et al. (202X) Wildfire residue deposits accelerate methane emission in wetlands. Water Research. [In preparation]
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Karim, S., Das, T., and Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Critical role of biochar in building climate-resilient stormwater infiltration system. Water Research. [In Preparation]
Raoelison, O., Valenca, R., Lee, A., Karim, S., Webster, J.P., Pouline, B.A., and Mohanty, S. (2023) Wildfire impacts on surface water quality parameters: Cause of data variability and reporting needs. Environmental Pollution. 120713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120713
Valenca, R., Garcia, L., Flor, D., Espinosa, C., and Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Can water composition and weather factors predict fecal indicator bacteria removal in retention ponds in variable weather conditions? Science of the Total Environment. 156410. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156410
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Le, H., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Biochar Role in Improving Pathogens Removal Capacity of Stormwater Biofilters. Advances in Chemical Pollution, Environmental Management and Protection: Biochar: Fundamentals and Applications in Environmental Science and Remediation Technologies. Volume 6. Editor: Ajit Sarmah. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apmp.2021.08.007.
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Valenca, R., McAdam, M., Khor, C., Dittrich, T.M., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Iron amendment minimizes the first-flush release of pathogens from stormwater biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 116989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116989.
Valenca, R., Le, H., Zu, Y., Dittrich, T., Tsang, D.C.W., Datta, R., Sarkar, D., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Nitrate removal uncertainty in stormwater control measures: Is the design or climate a culprit? Water Research. 116781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116781.
Tirpak, A., Afrooz, N., Winston, R.J., Valenca, R., Schiff, K., Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Conventional and Amended Bioretention Soil Media for Targeted Pollutant Treatment: A Critical Review to Guide the State of the Practice. Water Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116648
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Zu, Y., Stenstrom, M. K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Biochar selection for Escherichia coli removal in stormwater biofilters. Journal of Environmental Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001843
Le, H., Valenca, R., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Size-dependent biochar breaking under compaction: Implications on clogging and pathogen removal in biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 115195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115195
Ghavanloughajar, M., Le, H., Rahman, M.D., Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Compaction conditions affect the capacity of biochar-amended sand filters to treat road runoff. Science of the Total Environment. 735, 139180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139180
Valenca, R., Ramnath, K., Dittrich, T.M., Taylor, R. E., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Microbial quality of surface water and subsurface soil after wildfire. Water Research. 175, 115672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.115672
Baalousha, M., Wang, J., Nabi, M., Loosli, F., Valenca, R., Mohanty, S.K., Afrooz, N., Cantando, E., Aich, N. (2020) Stormwater green infrastructures retain high concentrations of TiO2 engineered (nano)-particles. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 392, 122335. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.122335
Berger, A.W., Valenca, R., Miao, Y., Ravi, S., Mahendra, S. and Mohanty, S.K., 2019. Biochar increases nitrate removal capacity of woodchip biofilters during high-intensity rainfall. Water research. 165, 115008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115008
Mohanty, S.K., Valenca, R., Berger, A., Xiong, X., Yu, I.K.M., Saunders, T.M., and Tsang, D.C.W. (2018) Plenty of room for carbon on the ground: Potential applications of biochar for stormwater treatment. Science of the Total Environment. 625, 1644-1658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.037
Awards:
2021-22 Dissertation Year Fellowship, University of California Los Angeles.
2021-22 INFEWS Fellowship. University of California Los Angeles.
2021-22 LA Urban Center's Science Fellowship.
2020-21 CEE Martin Rubin Scholarship. University of California Los Angeles.
Fun facts:
Renan loves surfing, cooking and skateboarding. He organizes SEALab barbecue parties and teaches us how to barbecue in a traditional Brazilian way. He also loves Italy and any Italian related subject. Renan speaks four languages: Portuguese, English, Italian and Spanish, but he still wants to learn one more: German. Renan was born in Brazil.
Maryam Ghavanloughajar, Ph.D. 2021
Email: maryamghajar at ucla dot edu
Ph.D. Civil Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2021
M.S., Civil Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA, 2016
B.S., Civil Engineering, Tehran University, Iran
Dissertation: Performance and Longevity of Stormwater Biofilter Media Under Hydrologic and Physical Stressors.
Research Interest:
Maryam investigated the processes that affect the longevity of stormwater biofilter media so that their performance lifetime can be improved by engineering controls or design modifications. Specific objectives of her research: (1) to examine the effect of one of the physical stressors—compaction— on longevity of biofilter media and performance of biofilters; (2) to evaluate the effect of a chemical stressors—stormwater constituents—on longevity and performance of iron amendment; (3) to examine the persistence of antibiotic resistance genes, an emerging contaminant, in stormwater biofilters with different design configurations. The results of her work would advance the understanding of how physical, chemical and biological processes in biofilters could deteriorate biofilter media over time.
Publication(s):
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Cira, M., Jay, J., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Adding a submerged layer to the stormwater biofilter design could increase antibiotic resistance genes concentration in the effluent. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 149 (7), 06023001. https://doi.org/10.1061/JOEEDU.EEENG-7297
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Valenca, R., McAdam, M., Khor, C., Dittrich, T.M., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Iron amendment minimizes the first-flush release of pathogens from stormwater biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 116989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116989.
Ghavanloughajar, M., Le, H., Rahman, M.D., Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Compaction conditions affect the capacity of biochar-amended sand filters to treat road runoff. Science of the Total Environment. 735, 139180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139180.
Fun fact:
She loves organizing events and she is an officer for grad chapter of UCLA Society of Women Engineer. She was born in Iran.
M.S. Students
Haley Gunther, M.S. 2023
Email: Haleygunther23 at ucla dot com
M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, UCLA (2023)
B.S., Environmental Science, UCLA (2022)
Topic: Mobility of weathered microplastics in stormwater biofilters
Research Interest:
Fungal biodegradation of plastics, microplastic fate and transport, health and environmental consequences of microplastics, and fungal mycelium as a biodegradable polystyrene substitute.
Publication(s):
Gunther, H. J, Das, T.K., Leonard, J., Koutnik, V. S., El Rassi, L., Tang, Z., and Mohanty, S. (2023) UV exposure to PET microplastics increases their downward mobility in stormwater biofilters undergoing freeze-thaw cycles. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1039/D2EW00975G
Fun Facts:
Haley enjoys dog training, crocheting, and playing Just Dance. The beach is her happy place, and trying new foods is one of her favorite pastimes!
Swapnil Banerjee, M.S. 2023
Email: swapnilbanerjee at ucla dot edu
M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, UCLA (2023)
B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, India (2022)
Topic: Remediation of PFAS in stormwater runoff
Research Interest:
Degradation and remediation of emerging contaminants such as PFAS in surface and groundwater, I am particularly interested in socioeconomic and environmental impacts in moving towards a circular economy.
Publication(s):
Banerjee, S., Das, T.K., Borthakur, A., Valenca, R., and Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Source, distribution, and removal of PFAS in stormwater: Challenges and Opportunity. In Preparation.
Das, T.K., Han, Z., Banerjee, S., Raoelison, O.D., Adeleye, A.S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) PFAS release from the subsurface and capillary fringe during managed aquifer recharge. Environmental Pollution. 123166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123166
Fun Facts:
I like to act, both theater and film acting. As a teenager, I’ve featured in a couple of short films too. Maybe I’ll pick up acting again now that I’m in LA (haha)
Samiha Karim, M.S. 2022
Email: samiha.karim at ucla dot edu
M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, 2022.
B.S., Civil Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Bangladesh.
Thesis: Mining e-waste and coal ash in landfills for rare earth elements using bioleaching methods: Analysis of bioleaching data.
Research Interest:
Samiha's research examines biological methods to extract rare earth elements from wastes including coal ash and electronic wastes.
Publications:
Karim, S., Satpathy, S., Marsden, N.J., Dittrich, T.D., Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Cash from Trash: Meta Analysis on Bioleaching of Rare Earth Elements. Journal of Hazardous Materials. [In preparation].
Raoelison, O., Valenca, R., Lee, A., Karim, S., Webster, J.P., Pouline, B.A., and Mohanty, S. (2023) Wildfire impacts on surface water quality parameters: Cause of data variability and reporting needs. Environmental Pollution. 120713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120713
Fun Facts:
Samiha passes her leisure time by reading novels and fiction. She is into dancing. Recently She has grown interested in cooking and is trying to make food from different cuisines. She was born in Bangladesh.
Shruti Indiresan, M.S. 2022
Email: shrutuli at gmail dot com
M.S., Environmental Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, 2022
B.S., Biochemistry, University of California Los Angeles, 2021.
Thesis: Effects of wildfire residues on nitrate and sulfate reduction in wetlands.
Research Interest:
Shruti's research examines changes in the microbiome and its function, particularly sulfide oxidation and denitrification in wetland sediments after receiving wildfire residues.
Publication:
Indireson, S. Valenca, R., Davidson, O., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S. (202X) Wildfire residue deposition affects biochemical cycling of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon in wetland. Water Research. [In preparation]
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Guyett, K., Merrifield, R., Visweswaran, A., Indiresan, S., Lin Yang, K., Pierce, G., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) Resilience of stormwater biofilters following the deposition of wildfire residues: Implication on downstream water quality management in wildfire-prone regions. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 132989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132989.
Fun Facts: Shruti is a flute player and was in marching band. She enjoys trying new recipes and writing poetry.
Camille Huong Le, M.S. 2019
Email: camille.htle at gmail dot com
M.S., Environmental Engineering, University of California Los Angeles, 2019
B.S., Environmental Science, University of California Los Angeles, 2018
Thesis: Compaction-induced biochar loss from biofilters.
Research Interest:
Cami is interested in water reuse and management, renewable energy, and green infrastructure. Her research examines how to best design of stormwater treatment systems near the roadside so that they can treat road runoff at the source. In particular, she conducted bench-top experiments to examine the effect of compaction on the ability of biochar to treat stormwater.
Publications:
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Le, H., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Biochar Role in Improving Pathogens Removal Capacity of Stormwater Biofilters. Advances in Chemical Pollution, Environmental Management and Protection: Biochar: Fundamentals and Applications in Environmental Science and Remediation Technologies. Volume 6. Editor: Ajit Sarmah.
Valenca, R., Le, H., Zu, Y., Dittrich, T., Tsang, D.C.W., Datta, R., Sarkar, D., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Nitrate removal uncertainty in stormwater control measures: Is the design or climate a culprit? Water Research. 116781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116781.
Le, H., Valenca, R., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Size-dependent biochar breaking under compaction: Implications on clogging and pathogen removal in biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 115195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115195
Ghavanloughajar, M., Le, H., Rahman, M.D., Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Compaction conditions affect the capacity of biochar-amended sand filters to treat road runoff. Science of the Total Environment. 735, 139180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139180
Awards
2020 Edward K. Rice Outstanding Master’s Student Award
Fun Facts:
She has graduated with M.S. and continuing working in SEALab as a project scientist. Cami enjoys activities that make her move: practicing fitness, gardening, and playing with her cutest-pet-in-the-earth: a corgi. She also loves reading books and writing. Cami can pick up a new language quickly. She was born in Vietnam.
Alex Berger. M.S. 2018
M.S. Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2018
Thesis: Nitrate Removal by Biochar-Amended Woodchip Biofilters.
Publication(s):
Berger, A.W., Valenca, R., Miao, Y., Ravi, S., Mahendra, S. and Mohanty, S.K., 2019. Biochar increases nitrate removal capacity of woodchip biofilters during high-intensity rainfall. Water research. 165, 115008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2019.115008
Mohanty, S.K., Valenca, R., Berger, A., Xiong, X., Yu, I.K.M., Saunders, T.M., and Tsang, D.C.W. (2018) Plenty of room for carbon on the ground: Potential applications of biochar for stormwater treatment. Science of the Total Environment. 625, 1644-1658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.037
B.S. Students
Samantha Prehn, B.S. Student
Email: samprehn at ucla dot edu
B.S., Biochemistry, UCLA (Expected June 2024)
Topic: Effect of heavy metal adsorption on pathogens
Research Interest:
Developing new ways to minimize the negative effect of anthropogenic stressors on water and soil, and therefore protecting nearby communities.
Publications:
Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Samad, M.A., Prehn, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) The relative importance of local climate and land use on the dry deposition rate of airborne microplastics on terrestrial land. Atmospheric Environment. 120212. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosenv.2023.120212.
Borthakur, A., Das, T.K., Zhanga, Y., Libbert, S., Prehn, S., Ramos, P., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Rechargeable stormwater biofilters: In situ regeneration of PFAS removal capacity by using a cationic polymer, Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride. Journal of Cleaner Production. 134244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134244.
Borthakur, A., Chhour, K., Gayle, H., Prehn, S., Stenstorm, M.K., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Natural aging of expanded shale, clay, and slate (ESCS) amendment with heavy metals in stormwater increases its antibacterial properties: Implications on biofilter design. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 128309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128309
Fun Fact:
In her free time, Sam likes to surf and run. She has also been a vegetarian her entire life!
Rachel Merrifield, B.S.
Email: rmerrifield at g dot ucla dot edu
B.S., Environmental Science, UCLA (2024)
Topic: Wildfire impacts on green infrastructure and water quality
Research Interest:
Understanding the environmental impacts of wildfires. Stormwater remediation. Green infrastructure design.
Publication(s):
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Guyett, K., Merrifield, R., Visweswaran, A., Indiresan, S., Lin Yang, K., Pierce, G., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) Resilience of stormwater biofilters following the deposition of wildfire residues: Implication on downstream water quality management in wildfire-prone regions. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 132989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132989.
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T.K., Visweswaran, A., Guyett, K., Spallone, S., Ramos, R., Merrifield, R., Dittrich, T.M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Do Drinking Water Treatment Residuals Underperform in the Presence of Compost in Stormwater Biofilters? Science of the Total Environment. 166635. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166635.
Yuhui Zhang, B.S. Student
Email: aurorazh23 at ucla dot edu
B.S., Environmental Science (minor- Eng. Engineering), UCLA (Expected 2023)
Topic: Regenerative stormwater biofilter design
Research Interest:
Understanding how to design stormwater biofilters that would last longer without the need to replace filter media.
Publication(s):
Das, T. K., Raoelison, O.D., Rehman, H., Zhang, Y., Chao, W., Thamiz, L., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty S.K. (2023) Use of Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate Aggregates and Biochar in the Clear Zone of Road Infrastructures for Sustainable Treatment of Stormwater. Journal of Cleaner Production. 139443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139443.
Borthakur, A., Das, T.K., Zhanga, Y., Libbert, S., Prehn, S., Ramos, P., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Rechargeable stormwater biofilters: In situ regeneration of PFAS removal capacity by using a cationic polymer, Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride. Journal of Cleaner Production. 134244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134244.
Srijan Satpathy, B.A. Student
Email: srijan dot satpathy at gmail dot com
B.A., Linguistics & Computer Science, UCLA (Expected 2023)
Topic: Leaching of rare earth elements
Publications:
Karim, S., Satpathy, S., Marsden, N.J., Dittrich, T.D., Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Cash from Trash: Meta Analysis on Bioleaching of Rare Earth Elements. Journal of Hazardous Materials. [In preparation].
Fun fact:
Srijan likes to write poetry!
Joel B Glasman, B.S. Student
Email: jglasman at ucla dot edu
B.S., Chemical Engineering, UCLA (Expected June 2023)
Topic: Microplastics distribution in water and sediment from the ocean floor
Research Interest:
Joel Is interested in studying different aspects of the environment in order to improve the health of nature and human kind.
Publication(s):
Leonard, J., Borthakur, A., Koutnik, V.S., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cower, W., Dittrich, T.M., Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Challenges of using leaves as a biomonitoring system to assess airborne microplastic pollution in urban areas. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 101651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101651.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Choy, M. M., Brar, J., Glasman, J.B., Cowger, W., and Mohanty, S. (2022) Children's playgrounds contain more microplastics than other areas in urban parks. Science of the Total Environment. 158866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158866.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Brar, J., Cao, S., Glasman, J.B., R., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Transport of microplastics in stormwater treatment systems under freeze-thaw cycles: Critical role of plastic density. Water Research. 118950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.118950
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Glasman, J.B., Koydemir, H.C., Novoselov, A., Brar, J., Bertel, R., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Microplastics retained in stormwater control measures: Where do they come from and where do they go? Water Research. 118008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.118008
Fun Fact:
In his free time, Joel enjoys coaching middle school soccer.
Jaslyn Brar, B.S. Student
Email: jaslynbrar31 at ucla dot edu
B.S., Chemical Engineering, UCLA (Expected June 2023)
Topic: Microplastics transport in stormwater biofilets
Research Interest:
Understanding the effects of anthropogenic environmental stresses (e.g. altered climates, disturbed nutrient/water/carbon cycles) on environmental and urban health.
Publications:
Leonard, J., Borthakur, A., Koutnik, V.S., Brar, J., Glasman, J., Cower, W., Dittrich, T.M., Mohanty, S.K. (2023) Challenges of using leaves as a biomonitoring system to assess airborne microplastic pollution in urban areas. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 101651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apr.2023.101651.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Choy, M. M., Brar, J., Glasman, J.B., Cowger, W., and Mohanty, S. (2022) Children's playgrounds contain more microplastics than other areas in urban parks. Science of the Total Environment. 158866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158866.
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Brar, J., Cao, S., Glasman, J.B., R., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Transport of microplastics in stormwater treatment systems under freeze-thaw cycles: Critical role of plastic density. Water Research. 118950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.118950
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Glasman, J.B., Koydemir, H.C., Novoselov, A., Brar, J., Bertel, R., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Microplastics retained in stormwater control measures: Where do they come from and where do they go? Water Research. 118008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.118008
Silvi Lybbert, B.S. Student
Email: silvi.lybbert at gmail dot com
B.S., Biochemistry, UCLA (Expected 2024)
Topic: PFAS removal and biochemical impact in stormwater biofilter
Research Interest:
Biochemical processes in the stormwater biofilter.
Publication(s):
Borthakur, A., Das, T.K., Zhanga, Y., Libbert, S., Prehn, S., Ramos, P., Dooley, G., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Rechargeable stormwater biofilters: In situ regeneration of PFAS removal capacity by using a cationic polymer, Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride. Journal of Cleaner Production. 134244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134244.
Michelle Choy, B.S. Student
Email: choym52 at ucla dot edu
B.S., Biology, UCLA (Expected 2024)
Topic: Microplastics accumulation and exposure.
Research Interest:
Understanding how microplastics accumulate in environments and their impacts on human health.
Publication(s):
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., El Rassi, L.A., Choy, M. M., Brar, J., Glasman, J.B., Cowger, W., and Mohanty, S. (2022) Children's playgrounds contain more microplastics than other areas in urban parks. Science of the Total Environment. 158866. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158866.
Kevin Lin Yang, B.S. Student
Email: kevinlinyang00 at ucla dot edu
B.S., Civil Engineering, UCLA (Expected June 2023)
Topic: Chemical, biological, and physical impact of wildfire residue on stormwater and groundwater quality.
Research Interest:
Understanding the environmental and health impacts of various kinds of pollution (e.g., wildfire residue, heavy metals, organic matter) on communities and natural systems;
Publication:
Raoelison, O.D., Das, T., Guyett, K., Merrifield, R., Visweswaran, A., Indiresan, S., Lin Yang, K., Pierce, G., and Mohanty, S.K. (2024) Resilience of stormwater biofilters following the deposition of wildfire residues: Implication on downstream water quality management in wildfire-prone regions. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 132989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132989.
Fun facts: Spanish is my mother tongue.
Awards:
2023 NSF GRFP
Natasha Marsden, B.S. Student
Email: natashamarsden at ucla dot edu
B.S., Physics, UCLA ( 2022)
Topic: Extraction of rare earth elements
Research Interest:
Understanding and improving stormwater runoff technology, especially through biofiltration techniques. Particularly interested in implementing green infrastructure in highly impacted areas with fewer socioeconomic resources to put towards environmental development.
Publications:
Karim, S., Satpathy, S., Marsden, N.J., Dittrich, T.D., Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Cash from Trash: Meta Analysis on Bioleaching of Rare Earth Elements. Journal of Hazardous Materials. [In preparation].
Fun facts:
Natasha enjoys to rock climb and snowboarding!
Kristida Chhour, B.S. Student
Email: kkristida at gmail dot com
B.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, with minor in Food Studies, UCLA (2022)
Topic: Efficacy of stormwater biofilter media in removal of heavy metals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, pathogens, and antibiotic resistance genes
Research Interest:
Kristida is interested in green infrastructure and stormwater treatment systems that can remove heavy metals and improve surface water quality.
Publications:
Borthakur, A., Chhour, K., Gayle, H., Prehn, S., Stenstorm, M.K., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Natural aging of expanded shale, clay, and slate (ESCS) amendment with heavy metals in stormwater increases its antibacterial properties: Implications on biofilter design. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 128309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128309
Awards:
2022 NSF GRFP
Albert Cao, B.S. Student
Email: caoalbert at ucla dot edu
B.S., Statistics, UCLA (2022)
Topic: Microplastics transport in biofilter media
Research Interest:
Apply statistical methods to understand the scope of microplastics' in stormwater runoff and use of meta-analysis to generalize results.
Publication(s):
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Brar, J., Cao, S., Glasman, J.B., R., Cowger, W., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Transport of microplastics in stormwater treatment systems under freeze-thaw cycles: Critical role of plastic density. Water Research. 118950. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.118950
Koutnik, V.S., Alkidim, S., Leonard, D. J., DePrima, F., Cao, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Unaccounted microplastics in wastewater sludge: Where do they go? ES&T Water. 1, 5, 1086–1097. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.0c00267
Fun Facts:
Emma Golub, B.S. Student
Email: emmaa.golub at gmail dot com
B.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, UCLA (Expected 2022)
Topic: Wildfire impact on wetland function
Research Interest:
Wildfire residue impact on wetland function.
Fun Facts:
Emma likes to climb rocks and sail boats in her free time!
Quinlan Mcknight, B.S. Student
Email: quimck at ucla dot edu
B.S., Civil Engineering, UCLA (Expected June 2023)
Topic: Wildfire-induced methane emission from estuary systems
Research Interest:
Impact of climate change and pollutants (e.g. bacteria, microplastics, wildfire residues) on water quality and public health.
Publications:
1 . Valenca, R., McKnight, Q., Mohanty, S. K. (2021) Enhanced methane emission from deposited wildfire residues accelerates GHG emission from wetlands
Fun facts:
Quinlan enjoys reading fiction novels, baking, and playing instruments such as piano and guitar. She is from Los Angeles, CA, and is Bruin born and raised!
Anna Novoselov, B.S. Student
Email: annaknov at gmail dot com
B.S., Environmental Science, UCLA (expected)
Topic: Microplastics distribution in stormwater control measures in Los Angeles
Research Interest:
Understanding the effects of anthropogenic environmental stresses (e.g. altered climates, disturbed nutrient/water/carbon cycles) on environmental and urban health.
Publication(s):
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, J., Glasman, J.B., Koydemir, H.C., Novoselov, A., Brar, J., Bertel, R., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Microplastics retained in stormwater control measures: Where do they come from and where do they go? Water Research. 118008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.118008
Yeyang Zu, B.S. 2021
Email: zuyeyang at gmail dot com
B.S., Environmental Science with minors in Environmental Engineering and Statistics. UCLA (2021)
Research topic: Stormwater biofilter design to improve removal of microbial pollutants.
Research Interest:
Yeyang (aka Benson) is interest in how to best design stormwater treatment systems to improve microbial pollutants. In particular, he assisted laboratory experiments that links biochar properties with its bacterial removal capacity. Benson is currently working on an experiment that uses fungi to remove munition compounds in subsurface.
Publications:
Valenca, R., Le, H., Zu, Y., Dittrich, T., Tsang, D.C.W., Datta, R., Sarkar, D., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Nitrate removal uncertainty in stormwater control measures: Is the design or climate a culprit? Water Research. 116781. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.116781.
Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Zu, Y., Stenstrom, M. K., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Biochar selection for Escherichia coli removal in stormwater biofilters. Journal of Environmental Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0001843
Fun Facts:
He likes tasting chocolate and is a claimed otter-lover. He was born in China.
Allison Lee, B.S. 2021
Email: allee.042 at gmail dot com
B.S., Civil Engineering with minor in Geography, UCLA 2021
Research topic: Wildfire impacts on stormwater quality.
Research Interest:
Allison broadly interested in water quality management using green infrastructure. Allison assists one of the Ph.D. student in laboratory study and literature review examining the impact of wildfire on surface water quality and how to best design stormwater treatment systems to mitigate the negative impact.
Publications:
Raoelison, O., Valenca, R., Lee, A., Karim, S., Webster, J.P., Pouline, B.A., and Mohanty, S. (2023) Wildfire impacts on surface water quality parameters: Cause of data variability and reporting needs. Environmental Pollution. 120713. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120713
Award
2020-2021 Outstanding CEE Bachelor of Sciences Student Award at UCLA
Fun Facts:
Allison is a very good writer. She has led the undergrad team in a student competitions and won 1st prize in US EPA's Campus RainWorks Challenge competition. She is native Californian and was born there.
Francesca DePrima, B.S. 2021
Email: fdeprima at ucla dot edu
B.S., Environmental Science (in Progress) with minor in Environmental Engineering, UCLA 2021
Research topic: Microplastic transport and removal in stormwater biofilters.
Research Interest:
She is interested in how to remove wide range of pollutants including microplastics from stormwater and reuse stormwater for water sustainability.
Publication(s):
Koutnik, V.S., Alkidim, S., Leonard, D. J., DePrima, F., Cao, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Unaccounted microplastics in wastewater sludge: Where do they go? ES&T Water. 1, 5, 1086–1097. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.0c00267
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, D. J., Alkidim, S., DePrima, F., Ravi, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Distribution of microplastics in soil and freshwater environments: Global analysis and framework for transport modeling. Environmental Pollution. 116552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116552
Fun Facts:
Francesca loves painting and dance. She grew up practicing ballet and she dances for fun in a company at UCLA. In her free time, Francesca enjoys painting and she has one special thing on her bucket list: to visit every national park in the U.S. She is native California resident and was born there.
Sarah Alkidim, B.S. 2021
Email: salkidim at ucla dot edu
B.S., Physics with minor in Environmental Engineering and Math, UCLA 2021
Research topic: Microplastic transport and removal in stormwater biofilters.
Research Interest:
Sarah has been examining the conditions that affect microplastic transport in biofilters in addition to collecting extensive data for a review article on microplastic occurrence and transport in terrestrial environments. Her current work focuses on how dielectric property of plastic affects biofilm properties on microplastics.
Publication(s):
Koutnik, V.S., Borthakur, A., Leonard, J., Alkidim, S., Koydemir, H.C., Tseng, D., Ozcan, A., Ravi, S., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Mobility of polypropylene microplastics in stormwater biofilters under freeze-thaw cycles. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 100048. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2022.100048
Koutnik, V.S., Alkidim, S., Leonard, D. J., DePrima, F., Cao, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Unaccounted microplastics in wastewater sludge: Where do they go? ES&T Water. 1, 5, 1086–1097. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsestwater.0c00267
Koutnik, V.S., Leonard, D. J., Alkidim, S., DePrima, F., Ravi, S., Hoek, E., and Mohanty, S. (2021) Distribution of microplastics in soil and freshwater environments: Global analysis and framework for transport modeling. Environmental Pollution. 116552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116552
Fun Facts:
Sarah loves listening to and playing music. Recently, she's gotten into rock climbing and is hoping the gains will show. She loves the outdoors, and believes Netflix is a gift to be cherished. Sarah is an international student from Kuwait and is bilingual.
Katia Ascencio, B.S. 2021
Email: katiascencio03 at gmail dot com
B.S., Civil Engineering, UCLA
Research topic: PFAS fate and transport in surface waters.
Research Interest:
Katia is interested in sustainable manufacturing, and further studying fate of contaminants to better protect vulnerable communities. She has been assisting a graduate student to conduct a critical literature review on fate and transport of PFAS in the terrestrial environment.
Publications:
Borthakur, A., Wang, M., He, M., Ascensio, K., Adamson, D., and Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Perfluoroalkyl acids on suspended particles: Unexplored transport pathways in surface water and subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 417. 126159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126159
Fun facts:
Katia loves cooking and learning about different cultures, which has led her to study Hindi and Serbian, and she is trying her best to be fluent. She was born in El Salvador.
Research Interest:
Patience assisted a graduate student in examining the role of natural soil colloids released during flow fluctuation on the colloid-facilitated transport on PFAS in groundwater.
Publications:
Borthakur, A., Olsen, P., Dooley, G., Cranmer, B.K., Rao, U., Hoek, E.M.V., Blotevogel, J., Mahendra, S., and Mohanty, S.K. (2021) Dry-wet and freeze-thaw cycles enhance PFOA leaching from subsurface soils. Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters. 2. 100029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hazl.2021.100029
Meera McAdam
B.S. Environmental Science. 2020
Research topic: Iron amendment for stormwater treatment.
Research Interest:
Meera assisted a graduate student (Maryam) on examining change in bacterial removal capacity of iron filings when it is mixed with compost and applied in stormwater biofilters. The work is under preparation for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
Publications:
Ghavanloughajar, M., Borthakur, A., Valenca, R., McAdam, M., Khor, C., Dittrich, T.M., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (202X) Iron amendment minimizes the first-flush release of pathogens from stormwater biofilters. Environmental Pollution. 116989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116989.
Kavita Ramanath
B.S. Environmental Science. 2019
Research topic: Microbial water quality in the presence of wildfire residues
Research Interest:
Kavita assisted graduate student on a work on whether deposition of wildfire residues in surface water and subsurface soils can increase the microbial risk associated with particle-facilitated transport. The work is published at Water Research.
Publications:
Valenca, R., Ramnath, K., Dittrich, T.M., Taylor, R. E., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Microbial quality of surface water and subsurface soil after wildfire. Water Research. 175, 115672. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2020.115672
Merrick D. Rahman
B.S. Civil Engineering. 2019
Research topic: Compaction effects on stormwater amendments
Research Interest:
Merrick conducted experiment independently and also assisted graduate students on work related to how compaction affects amendments in roadside stormwater treatment systems. The work is published at Science of The Total Environment.
Publications:
Ghavanloughajar, M., Le, H., Rahman, M.D., Valenca, R., Borthakur, A., Ravi, S., Stenstrom, M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2020) Compaction conditions affect the capacity of biochar-amended sand filters to treat road runoff. Science of the Total Environment. 735, 139180. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139180
Trenton Saunders
B.S. Civil Engineering. 2018
Research topic: Biochar for stormwater treatment.
Research Interest:
Trenton assisted writing a review on potential application of biochar as a soil amendment in stormwater treatment systems. The work is published at Science of The Total Environment.
Publications:
Mohanty, S.K., Valenca, R., Berger, A., Xiong, X., Yu, I.K.M., Saunders, T.M., and Tsang, D.C.W. (2018) Plenty of room for carbon on the ground: Potential applications of biochar for stormwater treatment. Science of the Total Environment. 625, 1644-1658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.037.
Research Interest:
Emma is the first undergraduate research assistant to help us setup the experiment. Her initial work and troubleshooting of column experiments saved graduate students considerable time to conduct experiments on how to design stormwater biofilters for removal of heavy metals.
Visiting Students
Hamid Rehman
Email: hamidbiotech at gmail dot com
Ph.D. (expected), Environmental Sciences, Quaid i Azam University, Pakistan.
M.S., Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan.
B.S., Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Pakistan.
Research topic: Stormwater management at roadside.
Research Interest:
Effect of biochar and metals resistant bacteria on metals homeostasis of selected crops.
Publications:
Das, T. K., Raoelison, O.D., Rehman, H., Zhang, Y., Chao, W., Thamiz, L., Stenstrom, M.K., and Mohanty S.K. (2023) Use of Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate Aggregates and Biochar in the Clear Zone of Road Infrastructures for Sustainable Treatment of Stormwater. Journal of Cleaner Production. 139443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139443.
Research Interest:
Alija’s research interests include developing bioremediation technology for stormwater management, low cost technologies for water reclamation and reuse. During her masters she focused on understanding the mechanism of air and water pollution. Her B.Sc. research topic was Synthesis and Characterization of Zero Valent Iron Nano-particles (nZVI) for the remediation of Chromium and Arsenic Contaminated Water.
Publications:
Das, T.K., Kabir, A., Zhao, W., Stenstrom, M., Dittrich, T. M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) A review of compaction effect on subsurface processes in soil: Implications on stormwater treatment in roadside compacted soil. Science of the Total Environment. 160121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160121.
Fun Facts: Alija realized her passion for mentoring while working as a TA. She is into anime, superhero movies and comics. Cat mom.
Research Interest:
Weiyang is interested in developing bioremediation to mitigate contaminated environments (water and soil). Her MS research topic was reductive defluorinatioin of PFAS; Combined biomass carbon and mycorrhizal fungi for remediation of PCBs-contaminated soils.
Publications:
Das, T.K., Kabir, A., Zhao, W., Stenstrom, M., Dittrich, T. M., and Mohanty, S.K. (2023) A review of compaction effect on subsurface processes in soil: Implications on stormwater treatment in roadside compacted soil. Science of the Total Environment. 160121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160121.
Fun Facts:
Beginner of motorcycle; Jigsaw puzzles and Lego enthusiast
Hannah Gayle, B.S. student
B.S. Civil Engineering. (expected graduation, June 2023)
California State University, Long Beach.
Research Interest:
Hanna worked with us on designing biofilters to remove pathogen during summer 2021. She is interested in green infrastructure and stormwater treatment systems to improve surface water quality.
Publication:
Borthakur, A., Chhour, K., Gayle, H., Prehn, S., Stenstorm, M.K., Mohanty, S.K. (2022) Natural ging of expanded shale, clay, and slate (ESCS) amendment with heavy metals in stormwater increases its antibacterial properties: Implications on biofilter design. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 128309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128309 .
High School Students
Eugenia Baek
Marymount High School, LA. (2017)
Eugenia was a participant of the UCLA High School Summer Research Program. She was mentored by Alex Berger and assisted in setting up column experiment. She presented the methods and the results of the experiment with her lab partner, Wendy Garcia-Torres at the HSSRP Poster Symposium.
Eugenia is currently pursuing her undergraduate study in Computer Science at Barnard College, Columbia University.
Wendy Garcia-Torres
UCLA Community School (2017)
Wendy was a participant of the UCLA High School Summer Research Program. She was mentored by Alex Berger and assisted in setting up column experiment. She presented the methods and the results of the experiment with her lab partner, Wendy Garcia-Torres at the HSSRP Poster Symposium.
Wendy is currently pursuing her undergraduate study in St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN