Previous Research Projects

Under the mentorship of department faculty and research scientists, each undergraduate student completes a research project and presents their findings at a campus-wide poster session at the end of the summer.

The following students have completed summer projects supported by EHREP, the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program, UW's Stipends for Training Aspiring Researchers (STAR) Program, or the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.

Student Research 2016

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title
Anika Anderson	Washington University in St. Louis	Mike Dodd	Degradation of Antibiotic Resistance Genes During Full-scale and Bench-scale Wastewater Chlorination
Aliyah Bennet	University at Buffalo	Marilyn Roberts	Comparing Antibiotic Resistance in E. coli from the Intestinal Tract of Coyotes, Wolves, and Orcas in Washington State
Shounak Bose	Case Western Reserve University	Julian Marshall	Changes in Racial Segregation and Disparities in NO2 Air Pollution Exposure in US Urban Areas, 2000-2010
Elise Hickman	University of California, Davis	Lucio Costa	Developmental Modulation of Reelin Expression in Diesel Exhaust Exposed Mice
Miriam Juárez-Vargas	University of California, Berkeley	Noah Seixas	Reaching the Hard-to-Reach: Working and Social Conditions of Low-Wage Workers in Seattle, WA
Henry Sluka	The College of. St. Scholastica	Terry Kavanagh	Exposure of mouse hepatocyte cell lines with differential GSH synthesis to glycidol and 3-bromo-1-propanol

Student Research 2015

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title
Connor Carrillo	Washington State University	Joel Kaufman	Environmental Inequalities: Race/Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status, and Air Pollution in Washington State
Davis Cowles	Louisiana State University	Julia Yui Cui	Characterizing Novel Alternative Splicing Isoforms of Critical Drug-Processing Genes in Mice
Elzbieta Kalata	Loyola University Chicago	Lucio Costa	Social Behavior in Mice Following Developmental Exposure to Diesel Exhaust
Esmeralda Lopez	Brown University	Christopher Simpson	Measurement of Urinary Hydroxypyrene as a Biomarker of Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Jana Rott	Oregon State University	Michael Dodd	Alterations to Microorganism Structures in Sundriven Chlorine Photolysis
Mackenzie Schimpf	Truman State University	Marilyn Roberts	Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from Primates, Personnel and Environment at US Primate Center
Breanna Thomas	Xavier University of Louisiana	Yvonne Lin	Evaluation of a Novel CYP2D6 Biomarker During Pregnancy

Student Research 2014

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title
Paige Bommarito	University of Michigan	Lucio Costa	Diesel Exhaust Particle Activation of Microglia Induces Neurotoxicity
Tiffany Chou	Mount Holyoke College	Edmund Seto	b.hav: a mobile app for exploring personal physical activity and air pollution exposure
Jeremy Cobbs-Hart	Clark Atlanta University	John Kissel	Evaluation of Surface Contamination Standards in the Context of Potential Post-war Exposure to TCDD Residues in C-123 Aircraft Used to Spray Agent Orange
Megan Davis	Stanford University	Yvonne Lin	Association of Pesticide Exposure and Cortisol Levels in Farmworker Families
Cole Story	Pomona College	Joel Kaufman	Seasonal and Regional Effects on Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds
Peter Wagner	University of North Texas	Michael Dodd	Inactivation of Chlorine-Resistant Microorganisms by Solar Photolysis of Free Chlorine and Observation of Consequent Damage by Scanning Electron Microscopy
Allen White	Texas Southern University	Christopher Simpson	Diesel Exhaust Exposure Monitoring in an Underground Mine

Student Research 2013

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title
Madison Baxter	Baylor University, TX	Joel Kaufman	Residential Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor Volatile Organic Compounds
Mallory Bell	Northwestern University, IL	Michael Dodd	Enhanced Resistance of Microorganisms to Chlorine Inactivation by Interactions of Multivalent Cations and Natural Organic Matter
Adriana Falcon Vazquez	University of Puerto Rico, PR	Christopher Simpson	Mobile Monitoring of Multi-pollutant Mixtures on Roadways: Characterizing Remporal Variation in Response to Pollutant Plumes Across Multiple Instruments
Jeron Jacobson	University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, WI	Marilyn Roberts	Characterization of Pathogenic Bacteria Cultures and Antibiotic-Resistant Genes in Crow Feces and their Environment
Yesenia Jaramillo	University of California, Davis, CA	Terrance Kavanagh	Liver Antioxidant Protein Responses to Acute Diesel Exposure in an Aging Model of Glutathione Deficiency
Kelsey Marie Robertson	Sata Clara University, CA	John Kissel	In vitro Human Percutaneous Absorption of Selected Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons
Allan J. Somers	Salish Kootenai College, MT	Yvonne Lin	Development of a Targeted Liquid Chromatography-tandem Mass Spectrometry Approach to Screen for 182 Pesticides in Urine Samples

Student Research 2012

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title
Chi-Hsuan Chang	National Taiwan University	John Kissel	Assessment of Children's Non-dietary Exposure to Chlorpyrifos in Indoor Environments
Sheila Cubero	Universidad del Este	Marilyn Roberts	Isolation of Pathogens and Drug-Resistant Genes from Crows and their Environment
Andrea d'Aquino	Western Washington University	Christopher Simpson	Investigating Stability of Ozone Samples: Ogawa Holding Time Experiment in Seattle, WA
Mitra Geier	Western Washington University	Lucio Costa	Diazinon and Diazoxon Impair Astrocyte Production of Fibronectin & Laminin
Josi Herron	University of Great Falls	Terrance Kavanagh	A Novel Method for the Detection and Quantitation of Intact Quantum Dots in Tissue Slices
Madelyn Huang	University of Notre Dame	David Eaton	Silver Nanoparticles After mRNA Expression of Cytokines in Mouse Macrophage and Hepatoma Cells
Siddarta Jairam	University of California: Santa Barbara	Gretchen Onstad	Modeling of Drinking Water Treatment and Analysis of Disinfection Byproduct Formation
Alexandra Kossik	University of Washington	Scott Meschke	Local Farmers Market Fresh Produce Samplin for the Presence of E. coli and Salmonella
Hamza Rabi	University of Washington	Joel Kaufman	Preliminary Assessment of Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollutants in the Duwamish Valley
Lilian Turcios	Texas Southern University	Michael Yost	Airborne Total Dust, PM 2.5, and NH3 and Residential Proximity to Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) and Rural Roadways
Ming-Fong Yang	National Taiwan University	Scott Meschke	Comparison of Poliovirus Recovery from Water Using Three Candidate Filters

Student Research 2011

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title
Desiree Ancar	University of Tennessee Knoxville	Marilyn Roberts	Algae, Avian Feces, Sand, Marine Water, and Freshwater of Recreational Marine Beaches as Potential Reservoirs for Salmonella spp. and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species
Kristina Blank	University at Buffalo	Joel Kaufman	Subjectivity and its Effects: The Relationship Between Self-Reported Chemical Sensitivity and the Ability to Perceive Diesel Exhaust Exposure
Mariela Medina Castellanos	California Polytechnic State University	John Kissel	The Effect of pH on the Octanol/Water Partition Coefficient of Pentachlorophenol
Karena Smoll	University of California, Irvine	Christopher Simpson	Method Development of Headspace Solid-Phase Microextraction for the Analysis of Volatile Organohalogen Compounds in Artificial Seawater
Andy Tang	University of Washington	Marilyn Roberts	Quantification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli from algal wracks, marine water, fresh water, and avian feces from recreational marine beaches in Washington State
T'Shane Williams	Clark Atlanta University	Scott Meschke	An Evaluation of Indicator Bacteria Levels at Green Lake Park Swimming Beaches
Lisa Xiao	St. John's University	Lucio Costa	PON2 as an Antioxidant Enzyme in the Central Nervous System: Gender Differences
Angele Zamarron	The Evergreen State College	Michael Yost	House Dust: A Pesticide Exposure Pathway

Student Research 2010

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title	Link to poster
Natasha Bonilla	University of Puerto Rico	Marilyn Roberts	Survival of Clinical and Environmental Strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Marine Waters	bonilla.pdf
Kendra Broadwater	University of Washington	Michael Yost	Characterizing Ventilation in Collision Repair Spray Painting Booths	broadwater.pdf
Aaron Etherington	Heritage University	Kazuhiro Sonoda	Investigation of Bacterial Contamination in Lower Yakima Valley Well Water	etherington.pdf
Devin Groman	University of Washington	Scott Meschke	Presence and Detection of Enteric Viruses in Fresh Produce	groman.pdf
Jeffrey Jacquez	Indiana University	David Kalman	Biological Monitoring of Arsenic Species	jacquez.pdf
Rebekah Klint	UC - San Diego	David Eaton	Effects of GSTM1, GSTT1, and CYP3A5 Polymorphisms on Levels of Isothiocyanate Metabolites	klint.pdf
Alyssa Levitz	Olin College of Engineering	John Kissel	Application of IndusChemFate, PBPK free-ware, to metabolism and excretion of DEET following dermal exposure	levitz.pdf
Jamie Minick	Boise State University	Scott Meschke	An Evaluation of Presence and Source of Fecal Contamination at Golden Gardens Park	minick.pdf
Erika Parker	University of Georgia	Sverre Vedal	Occupational Dust Exposure and Airways Disease by Computed Tomography	parker.pdf
Rogelio Rangel	University of Washington	Matthew Keifer	Radio Novelas for Community Based Health and Safety Education in the Yakima Valley	rangel.pdf
Amy Stiffarm	Salish Kootenai College	Marilyn Roberts	Prevalence and Distribution of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on Three Seattle-Metro Beaches	stiffarm.pdf

Student Research 2009

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title	Link to Poster
Mehak Ahluwalia	University of Washington	Scott Meschke	Environmental Presence of MRSA on Seattle ATMs	ahluwalia.pdf
Dominique Bibbins	Spelman College	Matthew Keifer	The Use of Spanish Radio Dramas to Raise Awareness of Environmental and Occupational Health Issues in Yakima Valley	bibbins.pdf
Mark Crippen	University of Washington	Marilyn Roberts	Characterization of Methicillin Resistant mecA elements in Kytococcus, Helcococcus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc, Micrococcus, and Streptococcus	crippen.pdf
Ashley Marie Hammerbeck	The University of Wisconsin-River Falls	John Kissel	Residential Transfer Coefficients: A Review	hammerbeck.pdf
Anne Marie Roubal	DePaul University	Lianne Sheppard	Development of a Spatio-Temporal Model to predict CO levels	roubal.pdf
Kelsey Smith	University of Washington	Christopher Simpson	Assessing Occupational Woodsmoke Exposure in Firefighters	smith.pdf
Luke Swart	University of Washington	Marilyn Roberts	Isolation of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Western Washington fresh and marine recreation waters	swart.pdf

Student Research 2008

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title	Link to Poster
Veronica Castro	Heritage University	Matthew Keifer	Lower Yakima Valley Private Well Study and Proximity to Surrounding CAFOs	N/A
Fang-Yu Lin	China Medical University	David Kalman	A Field Test Kit for Arsenic in Drinking Water: Laboratory Evaluation	lin.pdf
Katie Fellows	University of Washington	Marilyn Roberts	Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus sp. (VRE) and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Marine Sand and Water	fellows.pdf
Laura Magana	Oregon State University	Janice Camp & Noah Sexias	Injury Prevention in Day Laborers:Job-specific Fact Sheets	magana.pdf
Anais Parker	Spelman College	John Kissel	Estimation of Children’s Exposure to 2,4-D Using CTEPP Data	N/A
Lorena Ray	University of Washington	Scott Meschke	Validation & Implementation of Assessing Job-Related Exposures in Dairy Farm Workers	ray.pdf
Robert Reed	University of Washington	Christopher Simpson	Assessment of Woodsmoke Exposure in Wild-land Firefighters	reed.pdf
Yen-Ju Chou	University of Washington	Michael Yost	Using UV-DOAS to Collect Reference Spectra for NO2 and O2	chou.pdf

Student Research 2007

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor	Project Title	Link to Poster
Amna Aziz	Stanford University	Scott Meschke	N/A	N/A
Tonya Brooks	University of Maryland	Sara Adar	Improving Positional Accuracy In The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and Air Pollution	brooks.pdf
Iana Ivanova	University of Washington	Marilyn Roberts & Scott Meschke	Drug Resistant E. coli Found in Drinking Water in Rural Uganda	ivanova.pdf
Larissa Jones	Boston College	Terrance Kavanagh	Preliminary Study Shows: Hepatocellular GCLC/GCLM Production is Not Significantly Different with Zinc Treatment	jones.pdf
Nassir Kowdan	University of Washington	Scott Meschke	Stability of Aeromonas hydrophila in Tap Water With Chlorine Residual	kowdan.pdf
Anais Parker	Spelman College	John Kissel	Estimation of Children’s Exposure to 2,4-D Using CTEPP Data	parker.pdf
Jeff Walls	University of Washington	Matthew Keifer	The Influence of Blood Sample Storage Conditions on Cholinesterase Activity: Introducing a Portable Cholinesterase Test Kit into Clinical Practice	walls.pdf

Student Research 2006

Student Name	Home University	Faculty Mentor
Christopher Diangco	University of Washington	John Kissel
Amina Negash	University of Washington	Jane Koenig
Dustin Palm	College of St. Scholastica	Michael Yost
Brandt Pein	University of Washington	Scott Meschke
Araceli Vasquez	Lewis & Clark State College	Matthew Keifer

Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences