Who has worked here recently, where are they now?
Yes, we do get to work outside at times!
Our research success is completely dependent upon people! We work with collaborators in the department, across campus, with USDA-ARS locally and in Arizona. Since no one person can know all we need to know to develop useful new knowledge, these collaborations are essential. Most of the time is actually spent in the laboratory conducting analyses or in the office processing data and writing it up. However, once in a while we have the opportunity to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us here in Central PA!
Former Lab Members
Dr. Alison Franklin
PhD and MS Student; Began graduate work in August 2012. Focus was on antibiotic transport through soil and implications for antibiotic resistance development. Now employed as a Postdoctoral Scholar at EPA in Cincinnati.
Ms. Melissa Miller
M.S. Student 2017 - 2018. Melissa tackled a topic which agricultural research scientists have been wondering and worrying about. Recent evidence suggests that use of No-Till as part of an agricultural production system has the positive advantage of reducing particulate phosphorus transport to streams, but can exacerbate dissolved phosphorus losses from agricultural fields. One opportunity to reduce dissolved phosphorus losses from manured fields is to inject the manure into the soil, rather than broadcast it. Concerns about this approach included potentially increased particulate phosphorus losses. Melissa's work demonstrated that such concerns were not evident in the data she analyzed.
Dr. Danielle Andrews-Brown
Research Associate; October 2011 - December 2015; Danielle was responsible for laboratory and field research activities related to pharmaceuticals and estrogen transport through soil.
Danielle says: 
"I have a B.Sc. in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Environmental Science (South Carolina State University). I also hold a M.Sc. in Plant and Soil Sciences (University of Kentucky) and a Ph.D. in Soil Sciences (Penn State University). Presently, I am a research associate and my research interests include determining the fate and transport of estrogens and antibiotics in soil within a wastewater irrigation system." In addition to her research, Danielle was responsible for coordinating and facilitating laboratory and field research activities. Outside of the lab, she focused on international outreach efforts that emphasized informal science education of youth. With her love for education, Danielle has landed a teaching position and an administrative position at the University of Pittsburgh! Congratulations Danielle and that you for all the hard work you completed when you were here!
Dr. Emily Woodward
Ph.D. and M.S. Student
Emily began her Ph.D. work in August 2012. From August 2010 - August 2012, she was a M.S. student focusing on fate and transport of estrogens th
rough soil irrigated with wastewater effluent. Here's how she describes herself! "When I'm not in the lab, I tend to spend most of my free time pursuing outdoor activities: hiking, rock climbing, camping, sports, etc. My passion for outdoor activity has influenced my career thus far, motivating me to tailor my research towards environmental concerns." During her Masters she focused on recent emerging environmental contaminants, endocrine disrupting compounds. She quantified estrogen hormone amounts present in the soil environment as a result of wastewater irrigation, site located in State College, PA. For her PhD (Received May 2016) she improved upon extraction and analysis methodology and implement newly developed methods in order to quantify field soil and water samples. Her career goal was to work for the United States government as an analytical researcher, helping to optimize our country's use of water resources. - Today Emily is a Physical Scientist with USGS in Sacramento, CA! She has accomplished her goals so far!
Mr. Tyson Robb
M.S. Student; Began graduate work in August 2011. Focus was on assessing the impacts of salinity (especially sodium) from wastewater effluent on soil hydraulic conductivity. Presently works as a staff member of a conservation district in New York.
Mr. Angelo Teachout - B.S. Student - REU; 2013-2014
Dr. Chuck Walker - Post-doctoral Scholar; 2007 - 2010; now a Hydrologist with USGS in Baltimore, MD
Mr. Zach Larson - M.S. Student; 2007 - 2010; now a County Extension Educator with Penn State in Central PA
Mr. Shashi Kant - Graduate Student - Research Intern; 2010
Mr. Matt Barnes - B.S. Student - Summer Research Intern; 2010
Ms. Carren Stika - B.S. Student - Summer Research Intern; 2010
