People

Dr. Meiyin Wu is the Director of the New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology and a professor in Montclair State University’s Department of Biology. Her expertise is in aquatic ecosystem ecology and management, including wetlands, lakes, and streams. Her research often emphasizes on nonpoint source pollution control, invasive species, ecological restoration, water quality and biodiversity. She received her Ph.D. in Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences from Washington State University and has published more than 40 articles and books, as well as been awarded three U.S. patents on ultrasonic technology.

Dr. Tsung-Ta David Hsu is a research scientist at the New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology, Montclair State University. His current research focuses on water quality assessments, microbial source tracking, and harmful algal bloom (HAB) surveys for New Jersey waters. He has received extensive training in both life and environmental sciences. He obtained his Ph.D. in environmental sciences from the Ohio State University. His doctoral research emphasized on microbial water quality examinations to investigate both ecosystem service and potential concerns in urban wetlands from a public health perspective.

Before moving to NJ, he conducted bacterial water quality monitoring and modeling projects for regional watershed programs in Southern California. He received his B.S. in biochemistry and M.S. in industrial microbiology from National Taiwan University, Taiwan. In his free time, David enjoys taking road trips or simply spending time outdoors with his family!

I grew up in Italy where I received my Master Degree in Biology with a thesis concerning the risk of bird-strike between birds and aircrafts. I always focused more my attention and work on the environment. After working for several years (most of which as an environmental consultant for Renewable Energy Companies) I decided to go back on books, challenging myself moving to another continent.

My husband and I moved to San Diego where I did a Master in Ecology and where our son was born. My research at San Diego State University focused on vertical and horizontal carbon exchanges in a semi-arid chaparral ecosystem through the Eddy Covariance technique. I always felt more attracted by aquatic ecosystems, so I decided to focus my research of a Ph.D. program on water quality.

When I was accepted to the Ph.D. program in Environmental Management at Montclair State University (NJ), my family and I moved to the East Coast. Big change of climate and weather conditions, you will think…but not for me! As I grew up in Italy I was missing the four seasons with the cold and wet weather of the autumn and winter seasons. Moreover, I love and enjoy the snow just like kids!!!

My research deals with quality of freshwater ecosystems. My main focus is turned into nutrients concentrations (Phosphorus, in particular) both in sediment and water, pathogen indicators (Escherichia coli) and trash management, working both in lakes and rivers. I enjoy working in the field (MUDDY and WET!!!) but I spend also a good amount of time in the laboratory (STERILE and CLEAN!!!) both for my own research and for PRI projects. I love working in teams, but I also enjoy my independent time. I have fun training students and new lab entries and organizing and preparing field and lab material for the projects.

Annie Hurley is a research scientist at the New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology currently. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Montclair State University. The complexity of the natural world has fascinated and delighted her since early childhood, when her grandfather would record nature documentaries on VHS tapes for her. She is also an artist whose work is often inspired by the grand schemes and minute details of life on Earth.

Annie joined the Wu Lab in January 2018, and has since been helping to identify and quantify the different phytoplankton present in New Jersey’s freshwater bodies. She has also been compiling a hand-drawn guide to the identification phytoplankton genera.

She is interested in studying and preserving seabird populations.

Melissa Mazzaro is the Coordinator of Education and Outreach at the New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology. Spending most of her childhood outside and around animals, Melissa quickly fell in love with nature. Her fascination with aquatic ecosystems has inspired her to protect these resources by bridging the gap between humans and the environment. She has a Master of Science degree in Marine Biology and Coastal Sciences and a minor in Environmental Justice from Montclair State University. During her graduate research, Melissa investigated the application of digital imaging flow cytometry in Harmful Algal Blooms monitoring.

As the Coordinator of Education and Outreach, Melissa designs and implements environmental education lessons and outreach programs. She also assists in the identification and quantification of the different phytoplankton present in New Jersey’s freshwater bodies.

Colleen Potocki is a Graduate Assistant at the New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology. She acquired her Bachelors of Science in Sustainability Science from Montclair State University. She is now continuing her Masters in the same field. Colleen grew up in an ever changing environment where industrialization and urbanization took over the land. Seeing visible detrimental effects to the environment, Colleen wanted to learn more about the influence of the anthropocene. As someone who adores traveling national parks and hiking, she uses her passion and knowledge of the environment to educate others.

Colleen assists in Education and Outreach, along with being a former camp counselor for NJCWST’s Eco-Explorers Program.

Yaritza "Yari" Rosa Acosta Caraballo was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Growing up, they quickly developed a deep admiration towards nature after exploring the islands many wonders such as La Parguera bioluminescent bay, mangroves in Cayo Caracoles, and waterfalls of Doña Juana. As a feminist and womanist, Yari hopes to inspire more women of color to occupy a larger space in the scientific community.

Yari graduated from DePauw University with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and minor in Environmental Geoscience. They also have a Master of Science degree in Aquatic and Coastal Sciences from Montclair State University. Their thesis work focused on examining aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages of New Jersey springs and providing a baseline inventory while investigating effects of spring discharge magnitude and geology on community assemblages.

As a current student in the Environmental Management PhD program at MSU, their work has shifted from macroinvertebrates to freshwater phytoplankton and cyanobacteria. Some of their current research activities include describing phytoplankton assemblages, their distribution and abundance in freshwaters of New Jersey including potential toxin producing cyanobacteria. Their proposed dissertation work will focus on BMAA, a neurotoxin produced by most cyanobacteria as well as non-cyanobacterial algae, and its bioaccumulation and impact on fish and mammals. Cyanotoxins, such as BMAA, pose public safety risk in recreational lakes and drinking water reservoirs due to their detrimental effects on human health.

As a graduate assistant, Yari taught undergraduate laboratories for nine semesters in the Biology Department at Montclair State University and conducted laboratory analyses for the New Jersey Center for Water Science and Technology. They are currently the Lab Manager for the Phytoplankton Lab and the Program Coordinator for the Passaic River Basin Eco-Explorers Summer Program in Environmental Science, Ecology and Computer Technology, which focuses on environmental education for middle school students from Newark public schools.

I grew up surrounded by woods in West Milford. My whole life I spent exploring nature and wandering around in the woods. I now live on the Ramapo river which has exposed me to a whole new array of wildlife that I’m not used to seeing. I worked on farms and at pet stores, just about anything to keep me around animals. I’ve always loved being outdoors and I have spent my last 12 summers as a landscaper. When I’m not landscaping, I also work for a traveling summer camp. This has given me the opportunity to travel to wonderful locations all around the world.

I went to Kean University where I graduated with a dual certificate in K-12 Special Education and Biology. After that I got a job teaching high school Biology and Environmental Science, and this year I will be entering my 8^th year there. While teaching I attended Montclair State and received my Masters in Biology with a concentration in Ecology Evolution through Dr. Wu’s lab. My thesis focused on the effectiveness of cameras to monitor the usage of wildlife crossing culverts. This is when I found my love for frogs. After that I obtained my Water Resource Management certificate from Montclair. I finally decided to start the PhD program in Environmental Management and am looking forward to being out in the field and working with everyone.