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