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Graduate Students
Rakshya Baral is a dedicated Microbiology student with a strong passion for exploring the intricate world of microorganisms and their interactions with the environment. Rakshya's research interests lie at the intersection of Microbiology and environmental science, with a focus on studying the impact of wastewater on soil microbial communities. Her Ph.D. plans involve exploring the fascinating world of antibiotic resistance. Specifically, she has a keen interest in detecting antibiotic resistance in wastewater and comparing it to clinical samples. She's fascinated by the intricate interactions between microorganisms and their environment, and she believes that studying antibiotic resistance in wastewater can provide valuable insights into the spread and impact of resistant bacteria. By comparing these findings to clinical samples, she aims to contribute to the development of effective strategies for combating antibiotic resistance and promoting public health.
Tamunobelema B. Solomon is a PhD student in the bio-environmental science program of Morgan State University, Maryland, USA. He is a graduate of University of Port Harcourt and University of Benin all in NIgeria where he obtained his bachelor's and master's degrees respectively both in Crop Science with focus on crop physiology and the environement. Tamunobelema is a lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt with study leave and an Adjunct Lecturer in Morgan State University. He has published articles in both crop and environmental studies such as crop adaptation to unfamiliar environment, climate change and food security amongst others. Tamunobelema's PhD research is focused on Wastewater-based Epidemiology in Baltimore.
Mustafa Ali is a PhD student in the Bioenvironmental Science Program at Morgan State University and an NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) trainee. His research focuses on disease detection from wastewater surveillance and the application of AI modeling in epidemiology, particularly aimed at the early detection of future pandemics. Mustafa completed his bachelor’s degree in genetic engineering at Philadelphia University, followed by a post-graduate certificate in emerging infectious diseases and a master’s degree in biology from the University of Saint Joseph in Connecticut. He worked as a
quality control specialist, helping organizations control their environmental impacts following the international standard for environmental managements (ISO 14000) in cosmetics and over the counter drug manufactures for more than 10 years in USA.
Panpan Liu is currently a PhD student in Bio-Environmental Sciences. She earned her master's degree in internal medicine at Tongji University and her MD from Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. After graduation, she worked as a respiratory doctor at Shanghai Pudong New Area Gongli Hospital for 12 years, focusing on developing new therapies and understanding the mechanisms behind chronic lung diseases. Panpan is passionate about exploring how the natural environment and the human body contribute to disease development, as this can reveal novel therapeutic targets. Her past research centered on the effects of exercise training and airway microbiota on lung tissue. In her future research, under the guidance of Dr. Sherchan, Panpan will focus on detecting microorganisms in wastewater and investigating potential microbial markers for monitoring respiratory diseases. Additionally, she aims to explore the relationship between wastewater microbiomes and airway microbiota in patients with different lung diseases.
Tania Moharrery is a PhD student in the interdisciplinary realm of bio- environmental science in Morgan state university. With a distinguished bachelor's degree in Biology, focusing on Disease Vector Control, from Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in Iran, she has honed her expertise in addressing critical public health challenges. Her five research primarily revolves around the epidemiology of vector-borne diseases like leishmaniasis, Malta fever, Pediculosis, Hydatid cyst and Crimean Congo fever, with a keen emphasis on understanding their impact on marginalized communities; health dynamics. Complementing her academic pursuits, Tania has actively engaged in practical initiatives, including discussions aimed at establishing a spraying company during her undergraduate tenure, showcasing her commitment to translating scholarly insights into tangible solutions.
Furthermore, her multifaceted involvement in microbiological and biochemical inquiries has equipped her with a comprehensive skill set, facilitating a nuanced understanding of complex health issues and their interplay. In parallel, dedication to public service is evident through her tenure as a health expert within the disease prevention department of a health center in Iran. Currently, Tanias scientific focus is on the diagnosis and study of cancer-causing viruses in Baltimore's sewage and research on its various dimensions using different filtration methods and various laboratory procedures. The current focus is on the Baltimore treatment plants and wastewater from the domestic and industrial areas.
Chichedo Duru is a Bioenvironmental Science PhD student who joined Morgan State University in August 2023. She is a passionate environmentalist with a focus on Bioremediation, Air and Water Quality Management, Climate and Land Use Change, Plant Ecology, and Ecosystem Protection and Restoration. After earning her Bachelor's degree in Forestry and Wildlife Technology from the Federal University of Technology Owerri Nigeria, she pursued a Master's degree in Silviculture and Forest Biology at the University of Port Harcourt Nigeria. During her studies, she conducted research on the impacts of land use and land cover changes on some ecosystem components in the Afi River Forest Reserve Nigeria. Prior to pursuing her PhD, she served as a lecturer at the Federal University of Technology Owerri. Driven by a fervent commitment to environmental sustainability, Chichedo actively pursues innovative, eco-friendly solutions to address pressing environmental challenges. Her current research in Morgan revolves around assessing PFAS levels in wastewater treatment plants in Maryland and exploring phytoremediation as a remediation strategy for these pollutants using wetland plants in the state.
Kimberly Van Exel graduated cum laude from Austin College with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. My most recent master's degree in Computational Biology was earned at Rutger's University. I am currently working on my PhD in BioEnvironmental Sciences at MSU.
I enjoy programming and I especially enjoy programming in Python. During this past summer, I was a participant in an educational experience in Tennessee through ORISE. There I learned more about A.I., Machine Learning, and Deep Learning when applied to experimental data. I also participated in two NSF internships while earning my bachelor's degree.
Daniel Nwaubani is currently pursuing a PhD in BioEnvironmental Sciences. Originally from Abia state, Nigeria, he obtained his B.Sc. in Microbiology from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Nigeria. During his undergraduate studies, he conducted research on the antimicrobial activities of Laporte estuans against various human pathogens. Following his graduation from MOUAU, Daniel went on to pursue a Master's degree in Environmental Microbiology, where he focused on studying the bacteriological and physicochemical seasonal variations of streams in Abia state, Nigeria. He then served as a dedicated and passionate lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at the same university, imparting knowledge and shaping the minds of aspiring scientists.
With his expertise in microbiology, Daniel plays a crucial role in educating and mentoring future scientists at the university. Currently, he is involved in a research project under the guidance of Dr. Samendra, which centers around coliphage investigation in a conventional treatment plant located in Baltimore. In this role, Daniel conducts experiments, collects and analyzes data, and assists in interpreting the results. Additionally, he collaborates with a team of researchers to explore the impact of coliphage on water treatment processes and to develop potential applications for improving water quality.
Oiadele Idris is a PhD student in the bio-environmental science program. He has Higher National Diploma (HND) in Science Laboratory Technology with Microbiology and Virology option, BSc in Botany and MSc in Ecology, Environmental control and Management with vast experience across biology related disciplines and pedagogical research that spans across decades in plant growth and development. His research focus and graduate experience in Botany is essentially based on Searching and screening plant secondary metabolites for their antibacterial/antibiotics potentials against clinically important microbes, Medicinal chemistry and Toxicology and Mechanisms of microbial mediated food spoilage.
Keside M. Iwuji is a Ph.D. student in the Bio-environmental sciences program at Morgan State University, Maryland, USA. His academic journey in environmental science began with a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria. He later pursued a Master of Science in Natural Resources Conservation from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, further solidifying his expertise in the field. As a dedicated academic, Keside is also actively involved in teaching as a University Lecturer at the Department of Environmental Management, Federal University of Owerri, Nigeria. His experience as an educator has made him impart his knowledge to students and contribute to the growth of the field. In addition to his academic accomplishments, Keside is currently working on a research project under the supervision of Dr. Samendra. The primary focus of my research is on the removal of viruses from secondary and tertiary wastewater samples collected from Baltimore treatment plants. This research is crucial as it addresses concerns regarding the presence of viruses in wastewater, which can pose significant risks to human health and the environment. Given his involvement in research and academia, Keside's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge is evident through his published papers in peer-reviewed journals and his active participation in local and international scholarly conferences. He is not only dedicated to his research but also actively contributes to the scientific community by sharing his findings and engaging in academic discussions with peers.
Jennifer Okafor is a passionate academic and researcher from Imo State, Nigeria. She is currently pursuing her MSc in Integrated Sciences with a concentration in Biology at Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Jennifer holds a Bsc in Microbiology from Anambra State University, where she conducted notable research on the degradation of xylene in Serratia marcescens.
In addition to her studies, she serves as a lecturer in the Department of Biology/Microbiology at Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. Her teaching focuses on advancing students' understanding of biological and microbiological sciences, drawing on her extensive knowledge and research background.
Currently, Jennifer is involved in a wastewater surveillance research project under the supervision of Dr. Samedra, contributing to public health by investigating pathogens and contaminants in wastewater. Her research interests lie in biology and microbiology, with a particular focus on environmental microbiology, biodegradation, and public health. Through her work, she aims to contribute to both the academic and scientific communities, advancing knowledge in her field and addressing real-world environmental challenges.
Monica Adanma Uwaga academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Environmental Management from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. Her outstanding academic performance laid the groundwork for subsequent achievements, including a Master’s degree in Toxicology and Environmental
Management and a PhD in Plant Ecology and Environmental Management. Both graduate degrees were earned at Michael Okpara University, where she conducted notable research for her PhD dissertation, Ecological Changes in Watershed Characteristics along a River Course in Isingwu Umuahia-North, Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria. Additionally, her Master’s degree research explored how gender dynamics affect land use and conservation practices, particularly in traditional farming systems. Prior to pursuing another PhD, she served as a lecturer at Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, where she inspired students and young professionals, equipping them with the skills to tackle environmental challenges. Integrating research into teaching. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles in environmental science and technology journals.
Currently, she is pursuing another PhD in Bio-Environmental Science at Morgan State University, USA, demonstrating her commitment to advancing her passion and expertise in environmental sciences. Uwaga's research focuses on critical environmental issues, including climate change and land-use change, bioremediation, plant ecology and
environmental management, air and water quality control. Her current PhD research, under the supervision of Dr. Samendra, concentrates on wastewater-based epidemiology in Baltimore, specifically wastewater surveillance. This
research contributes to ecosystem protection and restoration, environmental health, wastewater management and conservation, environmental impact assessments, and baseline studies for effective project management in environmentally sensitive areas. Uwaga'ss work addresses pressing global concerns such as industrialization, deforestation, and climate change, making her contributions increasingly relevant.
Undergraduate students
Desmon Inocencio
I am an undergraduate student at Tulane University, and I am majoring in Cell and Molecular Biology as well as minoring in Public Health. With my education I hope to become a pharmacist and use my background in Public Health to better help the communities I may work with. By working in this water quality lab during a pandemic I hope to learn how we can make access to clean water universal.
Former post-docs
Dr. Jia Xue ( currently at Florida A &M University)
Former Students
Julia McKinney
Carlo Basilio (Currently Tulane Medical School)
Omar Alnajjar (High School)
Jermaine Hill
Nameera Islam
Alexandra Maag
Juliana Hall (currently at UTHouston)
Lissa Soares (Tulane PhD student)
Kelly Ward
Frederica Lamar (Emory PhD student)
Siyu Lin
Kinjal Shah
Salter-Cid, Joao F
Lucas Secklet
Krista Montgomery (EPA fellow at Washington DC)
Nameera Islam
Nati Phan
Morgan Osbun,
I am a Tulane graduate student pursuing a Masters of Science in Public Health focusing on Environmental Health at the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. I recently graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Healthcare Administration in May 2020. After graduation, I would like to do environmental toxicology research.
Jeenal Patel
I am from India. I did a Bachelor’s in Ayurved Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S) from India. I started my career as a Medical Intern in a rural hospital. Later, I joined the medical center in a metro city “Mumbai” (known as Bombay) as a Medical Officer. As a physician, I learned many things in the medical sciences, but I have been always curious about the Public Health sector. From the Doctor's perspective, I have gained valuable knowledge, but also learned how the health system is badly affected due to many issues hidden in reality. Also, public health in India is still developing and needs change. Currently, I am a second-year MSPH student in Environmental Health Sciences in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences. From a future perspective, I want to work in the field of water quality and infectious diseases as an environmental health scientist. I want to learn more about the wastewater and health risk assessment. I hope to gain a basic understanding of water-based pathogen and correlation of climate change with microbial factors.
Hanna Brosky
Hanna is completing her Master’s in Public Health in International Health and Sustainable Development from the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She previously worked for Peace Corps as a water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) engineer in the indigenous regions of Panamá after graduating from Lehigh University with a degree in environmental engineering and entrepreneurship. Hanna works as a research assistant for Dr. Samendra Sherchan in water quality surveillance and focuses her studies on WASH systems in low-income and resource settings. She plans on pursuing her Ph.D. after her graduation from Tulane and will continue to investigate how global WASH engineering can be more equitable, sustainable, and resilient.
Impana Murthy
I’m an undergraduate student at Tulane University double majoring in Public Health and Cell and Molecular Biology on the pre-medical track. I aspire to become an obstetrician-gynecologist in the future. And I hope to use all my experience and knowledge in Public Health to improve my work in the medical field. I was born in Bengaluru, India, so I have seen many issues that are present in a developing country. I have seen the effects of contaminated water and its effect on health. I know that the same issues persist in New Orleans because of the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina.
Joshua Garcia
I am an undergraduate student at Tulane University currently pursuing a double major in Public health and Cell and Molecular Biology. As a pre-med student, my goal is to one day be a cardiothoracic surgeon. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and I owe everything to my parents. As a son of Hispanic immigrants, I was fortunate enough to visit Guatemala and instantly became astonished with the water quality affecting many households. Current issues such as Flint's water crisis and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have led me to believe water quality is an imperative human rights issue that should be a significant concern for everyone.
Divya Polu
I am an undergraduate student at Tulane University majoring in Sociology with minors in Cell and Molecular Biology and Public Health. As a pre-med student with a humanities background, I am interested in the social and environmental aspects of health as I believe that preventative health is just as important as clinical care. I am especially interested in water/food security and sanitation as access to clean, healthy food and water is an essential human right and has a significant impact on health outcomes.
Adrian Garcia is a graduating senior majoring in Public Health with a minor in Portuguese. He was born and raised in Pomona, California and currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He has studied abroad in Brazil and gained knowledge about social determinants of health there. He is 21 years old and would like to go to Med School and become an Emergency Room doctor in the future after working in the public health field He loves electronic dance music and his two pitbulls, Sonny and Marley.
Kinjal Shah received a bachelor’s degree in dental surgery from SDM College of Dental Sciences, India. After graduating, she worked as a dentist focusing on improving oral hygiene of patients from rural India. While working in rural areas, she realized the importance of environmental factors on human health leading her to pursue a master’s in public health in the Global Environmental Health Sciences Department at Tulane University. Currently, she is collaborating with the US Environmental Protection Agency on a project investigating E.coli contamination in New Orleans East waterways. The results will help guide the community on how to improve water quality. She aspires to work in the field of environmental sustainability in the future.
Sydney Sheffield
Sydney Sheffield is an undergraduate student at Tulane University studying Public Health and Chinese. She is on the pre-medical track and is an aspiring obstetrician-gynecologist. Sheffield is currently working with the nonprofit Farm to Classroom International and the village of Usangule in Tanzania to build sustainable food sources and increase overall health in the village, and she intends to use her experiences at the Soil and Aquatic Microbiology Lab to monitor the water systems surrounding Usangule. She also intends to incorporate a public health perspective and an emphasis on prevention into everything she does in the future in the medical field.
Rebecca Cormack
I am an undergraduate student at Tulane University double majoring in Public Health and French. I am interested in water quality, particularly how people receive access to water, and how to improve that access globally. This became an interest of mine after spending time in St. Martin on a service learning trip through Tulane's Center for Public Service. While volunteering at a Rastafarian-run farm and garden, I addressed public health issues such as access to food and water, particularly after Hurricane Irma, while learning about St. Martin's cultural ties to the land. I am looking forward to honing my research skills and becoming more knowledgable on water issues that affect our local New Orleans communities by participating in Dr. Sherchan's lab.
Tanya Isaac
I'm a rising junior from Bangalore, India double majoring in Public Health and Psychology. I'm really interested in international health and aspire to improve health equity in India and other developing countries. While teaching at schools in rural parts of India, I saw the lack of access to basic care and amenities like water and hope to apply what I learn from this lab to help those populations.
Kevin Caton
Kevin Caton received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Maine, after which he worked as a medical technologist in Portland, Maine. He is pursuing a master’s in public health in the Global Environmental Health Sciences Department with a focus on water quality at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Caton first became interested in water quality aspects of public health through his experiences at McCormick Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand, while participating in the WASH program and other community outreach programs. He hopes to apply what he has learned in Dr. Sherchan’s lab to improve water quality and access both domestically and internationally.
Collin Potter
Collin is a Research Assistant for Dr. Sherchan in the Global Environmental Health Sciences Department at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Collin processes water samples via a variety of methods from a plethora of projects ranging from a project with the Audubon Institute to a project with Tulane Hospital. Collin is also pursuing his MSPH in Global Environmental Health Sciences with a focus in water and anticipates graduating from the program next spring.Collin earned his B.A. from Michigan State University in Special Education. Since graduation, Collin has worked in various settings for education-based companies, as well as a laboratory setting for Tulane Hospital, processing samples for human clinical trials. Collin is an animal-lover, fond of snow, and hopes to work in water quality in some capacity. Please email me at cpotter@tulane.edu with any questions, comments, or cat pictures.
Helen Keevy
Helen Keevy received her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Savannah State University, where she did water quality research at the Savannah River. She is pursuing a master’s of science in public health at Tulane from the Global Environmental Health Sciences Department with a focus on water quality. Helen first became interested in water quality aspects of public health through her various trips with study abroad. The one she found most impactful was her trip to Haiti where she came down with cholera. That event drove her to want to find ways to help people overcome deadly waterborne diseases. She hopes she can apply all the great skills and lessons learned in Dr. Sherchan's lab and in the classroom into the WASH sector after graduation.
Jennifer LaMori
Jennifer LaMori is a graduate student studying public health at Tulane University. Jen is working in Dr. Sherchan’s lab for over a year studying water quality and testing for fecal bacteria in Lake Pontchartrain. In the future, she aspires to work internationally and aid in global disaster management or crises management.
Lauren Ward
Lauren is a graduate student pursuing her MPH&TM in Tropical Medicine at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She earned her B.S. in Biology from Purdue University in 2018, as well as certificates in experiential learning and Peace Corps preparation. While at Purdue, Lauren had the opportunity to work in partnership with a Haitian university and a NGO on a project presenting WASH fundamentals and introducing low-cost water sanitation technology. This project sparked her interest in pursuing a career in international public health and introduced her to the One Health approach- recognizing the role that interactions with animals and the environment play in human health. Lauren hopes to eventually pursue a PhD in epidemiology or infectious disease and work in international health surveillance and research
Bridget Ritten
I am an undergraduate studying Public Health and Spanish. I am interested in environmental health, especially abroad, and am looking into possible careers within that field. I became interested in Public Health through the service project, Appalachia Service Project (ASP), that I participated in throughout high school. We helped rebuild homes in Central Appalachia and learned about the detrimental effects of the mining industry to the people of Appalachia. I witnessed many families who were suffering from lung cancer, and families who drank unsafe water and ate unsafe food. Therefore, I am hoping to learn more about environmental health and how I can help others while participating in research through this lab.
Djoulissa Louis-Jean is a graduate student pursuing her MSPH in Tropical Medicine at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She received her Bachelors in Environmental Sciences from the University of Central Florida. She became interested in the field of environmental health during her freshman year in undergrad when her research mentor at the time told her about the relationship that exists between humans, the environment, and disease. Ever since then she has worked towards learning more about this dynamic relationship. Djoulissaaspires to pursue a PhD in Microbiology/Immunology in the future and conduct research on antibiotic resistance and vaccine development.
Mom (Nini) TatahMentan, is a doctoral student at Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She is has experience and is passionate about monitoring and evaluation, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive, and health communication. She is also very excited about this opportunity to work In Dr.Sherchan’s lab.
Josh is a New Orleans native pursuing his Ph.D. in Environmental Health Science at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. After his undergraduate degree at Tulane University, Josh worked for several years for aquariums and marine research facilities in dolphin and sea turtle rescue, animal husbandry and life support systems. Josh earned his first Master’s degree from the University of New Orleans in Earth and Environmental Science with his thesis “Overwash Controls on Barrier Island Morphodynamics during Storms”. Josh earned his second Master’s degree from Texas A&M University at Galveston in Marine Resources Management with his thesis “The Impact of the Installation of an Estuarine Dam on Sediment Distribution and Accumulation Rates in the Geum Estuary, South Korea”. Currently, Josh is working with his advisor, Dr. Samendra Sherchan, in water quality and the impacts to environmental and human health in St. Tammany Parish including Slidell and Pearl River, as well as St. Bernard Parish and New Orleans East. Josh is interested in pursuing research-based positions involving coastal morphodynamics, hydrology and the impacts to environmental and human health.
Ali is a DRC scholar pursuing her PhD in Environmental Health Sciences. A New Orleans native, she completed her B.Sc. in Coastal Environmental Science at Louisiana State University where she studied carcinogenic pathways to telomere dysfunction and coastal reef restoration. After graduating from LSU, she worked as a behavior therapist at Autism Spectrum Therapies became interested in the community outreach and education involved in accessing healthcare. She earned her M.S. in Environmental Sciences from Emory University and joined the Prokopec Laboratory of Applied Disease Ecology to aid in research at the interface of ecology and public health. Her researched focused on integrating the biology and ecology of insect vectors into spatially explicit statistical and mechanistic models of pathogen transmission. She is motivated to research using an interdisciplinary approach to understand disease transmission improve health equity for the people most affected.
Shalina Shahin graduated with a Ph.D. in Environmental Health Science at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. She was a Research / Teaching assistant in Dr. Sherchan's lab. Currently she is working with Dr. Sherchan in water quality and health research. She earned an MPH degree in Epidemiology at Louisiana State University Health Science Center- School of Public Health. She has completed M.B.B.S. degree in Bangladesh. Shalina has extensive work experience in the Hospital settings and Community based practice as well as research in infectious disease. As a physician, Shalina worked in several major hospitals in Bangladesh. She is also an adjunct faculty at Delgado Community College and taught at Dillard University, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Emerging Scholars, Summer 2017
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