Senior Researchers

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Tess Eidem

Senior Research Scientist
Ph.D. Pathology & Microbiology (2013) University of Nebraska; B.S. Biology (2007) University of Nebraska;

Postdoctoral Fellows

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Emma Biesiada

BS Biochemistry (2016) University of Denver; PhD Candidate Environmental Engineering (2023) University of Colorado Boulder.
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Emily Kraus

Post-Doctoral Fellow
Ph.D. Environmental Engineering Science (2021) Colorado School of Mines; M.S. Environmental Engineering Science (2016) Colorado School of Mines; B.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (2013) University of Rochester NY.

Program Manager

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Anna Segur

Program Manager
Masters in International Affairs (2003) Columbia University; BA Political Science/Sociology (1996) Barnard College Anna Segur's background is in grant writing, project design, management and monitoring and evaluation. She lived in Central and South America for six years, working on water, sanitation, microfinance and enterprise development projects. Anna handles the project management for the Hernandez Lab.

Graduate Students

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Nasim Ildiri

PhD Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder; MS Energy Engineering (2020) Polytecnic University of Milan, Italy; BS Aerospace Engineering (2016) Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey;

Professional Research Assistant

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Isaac Chavarria

Field Technician- Clean Air for Schools Project
BS Aerospace Engineering (2024) University of Colorado Boulder
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Nathaniel Ramirez

Field Technician- Clean Air for Schools Project
BS Computer Science (2024) University of Colorado Boulder
Kristen Rugh

Kristin Rugh

Microbiologist & Allergen Technician
B.S. Microbiology (2022) Colorado State University

Undergraduate Researchers

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Sam Bryan

Laboratory Research Assistant
BS Mechanical Engineering (2023) University of Colorado Boulder
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Alex Gomez

Field Technician- CDC School Indoor Air Quality Project
BS Aerospace Engineering (2025) University of Colorado Boulder
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Andrew McCoy

Field Technician- CDC School Indoor Air Quality Project
BS Mechanical Engineering (2025) University of Colorado Boulder
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Kristina Petrov

Field Technician- Clean Air for Schools Project
BS Environmental Engineering (2025) University of Colorado Boulder
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María José Rodríguez Chamorro

Laboratory Research Assistant
BS Aerospace Engineering (2025) University of Colorado Boulder
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Emily Stamos

Laboratory Research Assistant
BS Biomedical Engineering (2024) University of Colorado Boulder

Previous Lab Members

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Muna Abu-Dalo

Professor of Environmental Chemistry and Environmental Engineering Jordan University of Science & Technology Irbid, Jordan
BS University of Jordan MS University of Jordan PhD Colorado (2003): Electrochemical Characterizations of Benzotriazoles
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Sylvia Akol

Field Technician
BS Environmental Engineering (2023) University of Colorado Boulder
Ivan

Ivan Albino Flores

Graduate Research Assistant - Molecular Microbiology MERGE-ID, Tufts University School of Medicine
BS Industrial Microbiology (2011), University of Puerto Mayaguez MS Biomedical Sciences (2020), University of Texas Health San Antonio PhD Molecular Microbiology (in process), Tufts School of Medicine Ivan's first research project was in the Hernandez lab through the SMART Program in 2009 working along PhD students Megan Howard and Kevin McCabe. His current research interests are bacterial pathogenesis and host pathogen interactions.
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Paola Almeida

Visiting Scholar, University of Colorado Boulder
Focus: Biological Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage with Sugarcane Bagasse Byproduct BS Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral(1996) Oceanography MS UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education(1999) Environmental Sciences and Technology PhD University of Trieste (2007) Environmental Sciences
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Rosaura Andújar-McNeil, P.E.

Ms. Andújar-McNeil is a licensed Project Environmental & Land Development Engineer with C.T. Male Associates D.P.C. in the Hudson Valley, New York. She is a zestful, deliberate and inquisitive engineer with robust experience in the investigation and remediation of environmentally impacted properties, environmental compliance and permitting, and land development. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineer from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (2002) and currently serves in the City of...
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Lars Angenent

Professor, Center for Applied Geosciences Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tubingen Germany
BS Wageningen University PhD Iowa State University Post-Doc Colorado: Urban Bioaerosol Characterizations
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Irene Ayala

Laboratory Research Assistant
MS Environmental Engineering (expected 2024) University of Colorado Boulder; BS Chemical Engineering (2018) Universidad Centroamericana José Simeón Cañas, El Salvador
Susan

Susan Bautts Gomez

Air Quality Advisor at PDC Energy, Inc.
Sara Beck

Sara Beck

University of British Columbia, Assistant Professor
Focus: Waterborne and airborne virus disinfection. Post-Doc/Scientist Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (2017-2019) Fulbright Fellow Asian Institute of Technology (2015-2016); PhD CU Boulder (2015) - Environmental Engineering; MS Georgia Tech (2009) - Environmental Engineering; BS/BA CU Boulder (2003) - Aerospace Engineering/Studio Art;
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Azra Bilgin

Adjunct Associate Professor , University of Colorado Boulder
Associate Professor, Cukurova University, Turkey Focus: Biological Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage with Sugarcane Bagasse Byproduct/ Control of Microbially Induced Concrete Corrosion BS Istanbul Technical University (1997) - Environmental Engineering MS Istanbul Technical University (1999) -Environmental Engineering PhD University of Colorado Boulder (2004) - Environmental Engineering Post-Doc California Institute of Technology (2006) - Environmental Sciences and Engineering
alejandro

Alejandro Caicedo-Ramirez

Doctoral Student
Environmental Engineering Focus: Control of Microbial Induced Concrete Corrosion BS Polytechnic University of Catalonia (2010) Chemical Engineering MS University of Barcelona (2012) Molecular Biotechnology MS University of Colorado (2014) Environmental Engineering
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Anna Campbell

BS University of Colorado Environmental Engineering
Yaidi

Yaidi Cancel Martinez

Adjunct Professor at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning and Associate Scientist at the Center for Economic Development, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
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Ariana Carmody

Laboratory Research Assistant
BS Environmental Engineering (2023) University of Colorado Boulder
Brandon

Brandon Carter MPH

Division Research Coordinator - Graduate Medical Education (Gulf Coast Division) at HCA Houston Healthcare
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Daniela Castañeda

Treatment Engineer at Denver Water
ME Engineering Management (2016) University of Colorado Boulder; BS Environmental Engineering (2011) University of Colorado Boulder; Daniela worked in the Hernandez lab with Ph.D. student Megan Howard through the undergraduate Discovery Learning and Summer Research Programs. Since graduating, she has worked on the design and operation of water treatment facilities. Originally from Cuernavaca, Mexico, Daniela currently resides in Denver.
Renzo

Renzo Conroy Cueva

Transportation Engineer, B.G.E Inc, Austin, TX
BS Civil Engineering, Minor in Engineering Management (2018), University of Colorado Boulder I'm originally from Lima, Peru although now I live and work in Austin, Texas. Upon graduating, I worked in construction as a Project Engineer for 2 years, then I decided to switch roles and go into design. I am learning a lot in my journey so far, love the work and love my coworkers.
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Claire Darley

Field Technician- Denver Public Schools IAQ Project
BS Electrical and Computer Engineering (2024) University of Colorado Boulder
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Sarahann Dow

BS William and Mary MS University of Colorado PhD Colorado (2004): Inactivation of Emerging Pathogens
Patricia

Patricia Fabian

Associate Professor Environmental Health, Boston University
Stephanie

Stephanie Fevig

Research Program Manager, The Water Research Foundation
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Ana Cristina Fonseca

Private Engineering Practice Carollo Consulting Engineers
BS Lisbon University MS University of Cincinnati PhD Colorado (2002): Biofouling of Nanofiltration Membranes
Akua

Akua Fordjour

Molecular Biologist
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Eddie Fuques Villalba

Research interests: Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Virology, Environmental Microbiology, Genetics, Next Generation Sequencing, Metagenomics, Bioinformatics. MS, Molecular Biology, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo Uruguay (2020) Visiting Scholar, 2020 BS, Biochemistry, Universidad de la Republica, Montevideo Uruguay (2017)
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Michael Gentry

Field Technician- CDC School Indoor Air Quality Project
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Alise Gladbach

BS Candidate Environmental Engineering (2022) University of Colorado Boulder.
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Odessa Gomez

Senior Researcher
PhD Environmental Engineering (2017) University of Colorado Boulder; MS Chemical & Biological Engineering (2009) University of Colorado Boulder; BS Chemical Engineering (2007) Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Danielle

Danielle Griego

Executive Director/Post Doc, ETH Zurich, Department of Architecture & Civil Engineering
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Cyndee Gruden

Dean of College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of New Hampshire
Postdoc Researcher: Environmental Water Resources Eng., University of Michigan (2001-2003) Ph.D.: Civil Engineering, Univ. of Colorado (2000) M.S.: Civil Engineering, Univ. of New Hampshire (1993) B.S.: Civil Engineering, Univ. of New Hampshire (1991)
Diedra

Diedre Gustafson

BS University of Colorado (2013) Environmental Engineering
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Alina Handorean

Associate Professor at Colorado School of Mines
Co-President of the Postdoctoral Association of Colorado (PAC) Focus: Airborne biomarkers characterization and their associated potential health effects BS University of Bucharest (1998) Biochemistry MS University of Bucharest (2000) Molecular Biology MA Washington University in St. Louis (2004) Chemistry PhD Washington University in St. Louis (2008) Chemistry
Rogelio

Rogelio Hernandez

Engineer at Kiewit
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Megan Howard

Molecular Virologist and Biochemist - Battelle
BS Case Western Reserve Univeristy PhD Colorado Health Sciences Center (2008) Post-Doc Colorado: Environmental Survivability of Viral Pathogens
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Erik Huynh

BA Environmental Science with Engineering Concentration (2022) Trinity University, MS/PhD Environmental Engineering (expected 2027) University of Colorado Boulder, Research interests: Renewable energy
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Ximena Ibarra

Field Technician- Denver Public Schools IAQ Project
Boulder High School Class of 2022
Ismael

Ismael Justo-Reinoso

Doctoral Student - Environmental Engineering Focus: Control of Microbial Induced Concrete Corrosion BS Autnomous University of Guadalajara (2000) Civil Engineering - MS University of Nottingham (2003) Environmental Engineering
Sahithi

Sahithi Kandala

PhD Electrical Engineering University of Colorado (2020), MS Electrical Engineering University of Colorado (2018), Bachelor of Technology Electrical Engineering GITAM, Hyderabad India.
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Maria Karoliina Valkonen

Senior researcher at Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Northern Savonia, Finland
Mariana

Mariana Lanzarini-Lopes

University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering (exp 2020) Arizona State University Masters in Environmental Engineering (2017) Arizona State University B.S. in Chemical Engineering (2015) University of Dayton, Dayton
Nicolette Laroco

Nicollette Laroco

BS Environmental Engineering (2016) University of Colorado Boulder; MS Environmental Engineering (2018) University of Colorado Boulder; PhD Candidate & Fullbright Fellow Environmental Engineering (2023) University of Colorado Boulder.
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Ali Ling

Environmental Specialist Barr Engineering Company
BCE University of Minnesota (2008) Civil Engineering MS University of Colorado (2012) Environmental Engineering PhD University of Colorado (2014) Environmental Engineering
Jeronimo

Jeronimo Luna Palacios

Field Technician- Clean Air for Schools Project
BA Media & Technology (2024) University of Colorado Boulder
Yun Luo

Yun Luo

MS Candidate (2020) Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado BS (2018) Engineering, HeFei University of Technology, HeFei China
Joan

Joan Marcano

CMC Program Development Manager, Aktiv Pharma Group
PhD Biochemistry (2015), University of Colorado Boulder; BS, Industrial Biotechnology (2009), University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Scientist with technical expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology, background in quality control experimentation in the pharmaceutical industry.
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Erika Marcum

Microbiology Assistant
BA Mathematics (2007) University of Colorado Boulder; BS Sport Sciences (1996) University of Oklahoma. Prior to joining the Hernandez Lab team, Erika enjoyed the intricacies and creativity of web development and graphic design from 2002 to 2017 at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Erika was born and raised in southeastern New Mexico and is a member of the Navajo Nation. Boulder, Colorado, has been home for the past 23...
Wilmarie

Wilmarie Marrero

Module Integration Yield Engineer at Intel Corporation
Kevin

Kevin McCabe

Senior Researcher
BA Biology (2000) Johns Hopkins University; PhD Molecular and Medical Genetics (2007) Oregon Health and Science University. Dr. Kevin McCabe worked in research science for over 2 decades studying cancer genetics, molecular microbiology, and bioaerosol transmission of infectious disease. He joined the brewing industry 6 years ago, leading the QA laboratory at Full Sail and contributing to new product R&D, including helping to develop KYLA Hard Kombucha. Kevin, Founder of...

Brady Mediavilla

Resarcher
BA Colgate University (2020) Chemistry and Cellular Neuroscience
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Ben Miller

BS University of Colorado (2011) Environmental Engineering MS University of Colorado (2013) Environmental Engineering
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Keegan Nagel

Field Technician- CDC School Indoor Air Quality Project
AS Aerospace Engineering (2025) Community College of Denver
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Svetlana Nevostrueva

EHS Environmental Engineer (Waste management) at Intel Corporation
BS Urals State Technical University, Russia MS Montana State University PhD Colorado (2010): Metal Sorption to Benzotriazole Derivatives
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Marina Nieto

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Atmospheric Sciences, Colorado State University
Focus: Aerobiology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Next Generationg Sequencing, Biochemical Engineering PhD candidate Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado MS Civil & Environmental Engineering (2017) University of Colorado BS Chemical Engineering (2015) Autonomous University of Barcelona (minor in Biochemical Engineering)
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Christiane Nitcheu

Nova Southeastern University, College of Dental Medicine (pursuing DMD)
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LTC Ivette O'Brien

Civil Engineer at Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center
BS University of Puerto Rico Myaguez MS University of Texas PhD Colorado (2003): Anoxic Biodegradation of Benzotriazoles
Elena

Elena Olivera Begué

Visiting Scholar
Europe Colorado Mobility program awardee by CU Boulder (2021), BS in Chemical Engineering Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain (2021)
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Darian Payan

Field Technician- Denver Public Schools IAQ Project
BS Computer Science (2023) University of Colorado Boulder
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Jordan Peccia

Professor of Chemical & Environmental Engineering, Yale University
BS Montana State University MS Montana State University PhD Colorado (2000) ; UV Inactivation of Bioaerosols
Cecilia

Cecilia Pennarieta

HSE Manager/ ISO 14001 Lead Auditor
MsC (1998) Environmental Engineering University of Colorado at Boulder, BS (1995) Civil Engineering University of Houston Over 15 years of experience in leading the HSE department in various organizations in various industries. Bolivian Power Company and Cable Car Doppelmayr in Bolivia.
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Bharath Prithiviraj

Post Doctoral Fellow, Plant Biology Division, The Noble Foundation
BS Loyola College,University of Madras (1998) Biology MS Pondicherry University (2000) PhD University of Madras (2011) Life Sciences/Biotechnology
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Ari Quezada

Field Technician- CDC School Indoor Air Quality Project
BS Chemical and Biological Engineering (2026) University of Colorado Boulder
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Roberto Rodriguez

Senior Virologist, Analytical Services Inc.
BS University of Puerto Rico (1997) Microbiology MS University of Puerto Rico (2003) Biology PhD University of Arizona (2007) Environmental Sciences Post-Doc University of North Carolina (2007-2010)
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Mari Rodriguez de Evgrafov

Mari Rodriguez de Evgrafov is a doctor of philosophy in civil and environmental engineering with specialization on bioaerosols from the University of Colorado in Boulder. She is presently a research specialist in antibiotic resistance at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability at the Technical University of Denmark.
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Heather Runberg

Atmospheric Chemistry Postdoctoral Associate
Ph.D. Analytical Chemistry (2022) University of Denver; B.S. Chemistry (2016) Metropolitan State University of Denver; B.A. Journalism (2003) Metropolitan State University of Denver.
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Halle Sago

Building Science Technician
BA Architecture (2020) University of Colorado Boulder.
Nicki

Nicki Seminara

MS, Civil Engineering (2015) University of Colorado Boulder (Engineering for Developing Communities) BS, Environmental Engineering (2010), University of Colorado Boulder
jane

Jane Turner

Environmental Engineer II Geomega, Inc.
BS Weber State University (2000) Applied Environmental Geoscience PhD University of Colorado (2014) Environmental Engineering
Angela

Angela Uribe

R&D Engineer Software Quality at Broadcom Inc.
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Cindy Vallejos

Field Technician- CDC School Indoor Air Quality Project
B.S. Zoology (2024) Colorado State University
Natalia

Natalia Vazquez Rivera

Environmental Engineer, US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Ruben

Ruben Vega

Cost Estimator at Rider Levett Bucknall
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Blaire Volbers

Aerobiology Technician
BS Chemistry & Teacher Education & Spanish (2012) Case Western Reserve University; MS Chemical Engineering (2021) Case Western Reserve University.
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Katie Waggy

Field Technician- CDC School Indoor Air Quality Project
BS Biology Metro State University 2024
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Yiqun Yao

BS (2019) Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, MS (2020) Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder