RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research focuses on water, sediments, and microbiota, with particular emphasis on the basic processes that control interfacial dynamics in aquatic systems and the coupling of physical transport processes with biological and biogeochemical processes.  I seek to define critical structure-transport-transformation relationships in dynamic environments such as rivers and surface-attached microbial communities (biofilms). 

My work is highly collaborative and encompasses fluid mechanics, particle transport and morphodynamics, aquatic chemistry, and microbiology.  Important applications include benthic microbial ecology, nutrient and carbon cycling, contaminant transport and water quality, ecosystem degradation and restoration, waterborne disease transmission, and control of biofilms in human infection and engineered water systems.

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Environmental Engineering and Science, with minor in Geology, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

M.S. Environmental Engineering and Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, with minor in History, cum laude, Washington University, St. Louis, MO