My research interests are in environmental health microbiology, with a focus on water quality.  I am developing novel tools and technologies to detect and track pathogens in water.  I am also interested in evaluating impacts of non-point source pollution, and in evaluating the manner in which land-based activities (e.g. development, storm water management or agricultural practices) can affect human exposure to microbial contaminants.  Overall, this research is leading to a greater understanding of how environmental conditions can affect human health, and how humans themselves influence this process.

Current areas of research include:

• Developing tools and technologies to measure microbial contaminants in water
• Studying recreational waters impacted by nonpoint source pollution
• Evaluating relationships between land use and water quality
• Modeling how storm events affect pathogen loading into waterbodies
• Characterizing the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria, particularly MRSA

Recent News:

• Jill Stewart elected as a faculty fellow to the Carolina Population Center
• Elizabeth Christenson presented preliminary research at the NC Water Resources Research Institute Annual Meeting
• Sharon Jiang successfully defended her Master’s thesis evaluating methods to detect viruses in water
• Amy Guo awarded a UNC graduate school Master’s Merit Assistantship

The Stewart Lab Gingerbread Dream Team collaborates to win the annual departmental holiday gingerbread contest