Plastics Research
Rapidly increasing production and disposal of plastic products has created a massive plastic pollution problem around the globe including Great Lakes. Urban stormwater is one of the major sources of plastic and other litter entering water bodies. Our
research in this area is focused on, quantifying the contribution of urban litter, determining the factors that influent the quantities, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of mitigation practices currently in place.
Kristen Heflin
Major and Degree: B.S. Environmental Engineering
Research Advisor: Varun Kasaraneni
Research Topic(s): Quantification of urban litter to Microplastics in Great Lakes
Susannah Harris
Major and Degree: M.S. Environmental Science and Management
Research Advisor: Varun Kasaraneni
Research Topic(s): Quantification of urban litter to Microplastics in Great Lakes
Lydia Andraso
Major and Degree: B.S. Environmental Engineering
Research Advisor: Varun Kasaraneni
Research Topic(s):
- Developing a method for sampling and analysis of Microplastics in urban stormwater
- Enhance removal of nutrients from stormwater using biochar-alumina composite materials
Marmik Patel
Major and Degree: M.S. Environmental Science and Management
Research Advisor: Varun Kasaraneni
Research Topic(s): Quantification of urban litter to Microplastics in Great Lakes
Drinking Water Treatment
Millions of people across the world in developing communities lack access to safe drinking water. Through our research, we intend to create effective and cost efficient point of use drinking water treatment system and improve of the existing systems
using novel technologies and materials.
Maria Taliani
Major and Degree: M.S. Environmental Science and Management
Research Advisor: Varun Kasaraneni
Research Topic(s): Enhanced Sand Filtration System for Water Treatment in Developing Regions
Urban Stormwater Management and Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs
)
Non-point source pollution (NPS) is a major cause of water quality issues including Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in surface water bodies (lakes, rivers, oceans etc.). Urban and agricultural stormwater, a major NPS is a conduit of nutrients, metals, and
other pollutants into surface water which results in water quality issues, human health concerns, and loss of economic activity. Our research in this area is to study the fate and transport of contaminants and develop novel materials that could effectively
remove nutrients and metals from stormwater.
Jason Geiger '19
Major and Degree: B.S. Environmental Engineering
Research Advisor: Varun Kasaraneni
Research Project(s):
- Enhance removal of nutrients from stormwater using biochar-alumina composite materials
- Transport of Microcystin-LR in soils adjacent to eutrophic water bodies
Margaret A Helms '20
Major and Degree: M.S. Environmental Science and Management
Research Advisor: Varun Kasaraneni
Research Project(s):
- Developing a method for sampling and analysis of Microplastics in urban stormwater
John Dombrowski '19
Major and Degree: M.S. Environmental Science and Management
Research Advisor: Varun Kasaraneni
Research Project(s): Wastewater Sludge Biochar and Ash as Potential Materials in Phosphate Removal from Urban Stormwater