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We are a dynamic group of researchers driven by a shared passion for pioneering research in the realm of resource recovery from organic waste streams.
The Current Team
Principal Investigator
Positions held
Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health and Engineering (July 2023-Present)
Postdoctoral researcher, Joint BioEnergy Institute, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (Jan 2021-June 2023)
Education
Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
MS in Molecular Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii
B. Tech in Biotechnology, Kathmandu University, Nepal
Fun Fact
I enjoy reading books, drawing, and hiking!
Dr. Shilva Shrestha
Nuhu Mujaheed
PhD Student
NUHU is a PhD student in Shrestha’s lab, passionate about making clean and affordable energy accessible while protecting the environment. His research focuses on converting organic waste into biofuels and biochemicals using advanced biotechnologies. This approach not only tackles waste management but also offers sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, benefiting the economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Education
Master's Degree of Science, Environmental Engineering & Technology: Ghent University, Belgium
Bachelor's Degree of Engineering, Water Resrouces and Environmental Engineering: Ahmadu Bello University, Nigeria
Research Interests
MCCA production via chain elongation technology
Bioreactor optimization
Computational modeling
Fun Fact
I can speak Hausa, Jarawa, and English! I've visited the Netherlands, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Slovakia, Germany, Austria, Egypt, Spain, Greece, Poland, Italy, UAE, Turkey, and Hungary!
Xuejiao is curious about advanced techniques in the environmental engineering field. Her Ph.D. research mainly focuses on carbon-rich waste stream recovery via chain elongation by microbial methods on the carboxylic acid platform.
Education
Master's Degree of Science: University of Tuebingen, Germany
Bachelor's Degree of Engineering: DaLian University of Technology, China
Research Interests
Waste stream recovery via chain elongation
Biochemical methane potential and anaerobic toxicity assay by co-substrate digestion
Degredation of DEET in wastewater
Fun Fact
I have a terrible sense of direction!
Xuejiao Lyu
PhD Student
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Yitao Zong
Yitao Zong is a master's student in Geography and Environmental Engineering. His interest lies in utilizing microorganisms to degrade environmental pollutants and reduce carbon emissions. Currently, he is working on designing a microaeration bioreactor.
Master's Student
Education
Bachelor's Degree of Art: University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Research Interests
Carbon cycle emission management.
Microbial-mediated pollutant degradation.
Microaeration-based bioengineered system.
Fun Fact
Pet lover. I have many cats and an Alaskan Malamute!
Sunny Li
Undergraduate Student
Sunny is a 3rd year undergraduate student studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and minoring in Environmental Engineering. She is interested in studying microbial communities!
Research Interests
Resource recovery from waste stream
Process optimization
Wastewater treatment
Fun Fact
My hometown is San Jose, California!
Adalee Lynch
Undergraduate Student
Adalee is a 4th year undergraduate student studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and minoring in Entrepreneurship and Management.
Research Interests
Ethics of food and agricultural policy
Ulterior effects of ingredients and substances used in processing in the gut microbiome
Sustainable technologies
Fun Fact
I can name and locate every country on the planet, and I love doing any kind of outdoor activity!
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Juny Lee
Undergraduate Student
Juny is a 2nd year undergraduate student studying Environmental Engineering and minoring in Psychology.
Research Interests
Bioenergy
Wastewater treatment
Fun Fact
I am an avid movie fan!
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Charles Zhao
Undergraduate Student
Tianxing Zhao is a 3rd year undergrad majoring in Environmental Science. He's interested in ecological interactions in aquatic environments and integrative methods to solve environmental issues from chemical and biological approaches.
Research Interests
Application of bioreactors in environments
Aquatic organism interactions and chemistry
Fun Fact
I've been an aquarium tank builder for 4 years and have built 8 fish tanks!
Alumni
Marisa Tomas
Marisa is currently in the Master’s portion of her BS/MSE degree in Geography and Environmental Engineering. She’s interested in using engineering to solve environmental justice issues, especially related to food and water security. She’s currently exploring her broad interest in sustainable food systems, specifically the different ways to recover resources from food waste.
Master's Student
Education
Bachelor's Degree of Engineering: Johns Hopkins University
Research Interests
Food waste diversion from landfills
Using systems approaches to address food insecurity in urban areas
Challenges with nutrient management on farms and in waste systems
Fun Fact
I enjoy playing ultimate frisbee in my free time!
Yurui is a 4th year undergraduate student studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and minoring in Visual Arts. She's interested in oral biofilm and advocates for innovative methods to address food and water security!
Research Interests
Synthetic biology and pharmacokinetics
Process design and bioreactor optimization
Fun Fact
I designed this website! :)
Yurui Zhang
Undergraduate Student