People

Graduate Students Advised
PhD: Major Advisor (7); Committee member (15)
MS: Major Advisor (6); Committee member (19)

∞Major Advisor

  1. ∞Ivan Oyege, (PhD Earth Systems Science, Fulbright Student, Summer 2025). Dissertation Title: “Evaluating Vermicompost, Remote Sensing, Deep Learning, and Green Nanopesticides for Fall Armyworm Control in Corn Cropping Systems”
  2. ∞ Felica Davis (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2022). Dissertation Title: “Assessment of soil, water contamination and land cover changes in the urban and suburban watersheds of Houston, Texas”
  3. ∞ Titilope Bukunmi-Omidiran (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2020). Dissertation Title: “Impact of natural and anthropogenic factors on the water and soil quality in urban and rural watersheds of Texas”
  4. ∞Adeola Mosuro (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2020). Thesis Title: “Monitoring the soil and water contamination in urban watersheds of Harris County, Texas”
  5. ∞Adesope Akinsanya (MS Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2017). Thesis Title: “Mapping and monitoring the long-term water quality characteristics in Galveston Bay, Texas”
  6. ∞Habibur Howlider (MS Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2017). Thesis Title: “Changes in flood plain soil characteristics of Brays and Sims bayou watershed in Texas”
  7. ∞Segun Adelanke (MS Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2016). Thesis Title: “Geospatial evaluation of landscape factors on the mercury and methyl mercury availability in East Fork Poplar Creek Watershed in Tennessee”
  8. ∞Sharmila Bhandari (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2016). Dissertation Title: “Impact of landscape changes on the environmental quality of Brays and Sims Bayou Watershed, TX”
  9. ∞Shruti Lakkaraju (MS Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2016). Thesis Title: “Impact of Environmental and Land cover changes on the water quality characteristics of East Tennessee Watersheds”
  10. ∞Gilbert Saah, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2016). Dissertation Title: “Analysis of urban sprawl and its effect on environmental characteristics using spectral reflectance and Landsat data in Harris County, Texas”
  11. ∞Bo Wei (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Expected Fall 2016). Dissertation Title: “Geospatial characterization of environmental pollution and its impact on human health in the Houston Ship Channel Region”
  12. ∞Fabrice Fankem Fandom (MS Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2013). Thesis Title: “Environmental exposures and impact of asthma on pregnancy”
  13. ∞Njekeh Franklin Caspa, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2013). Dissertation Title: “The Impact of environmental stressors on maternal and infant health outcomes”

Current Students
∞Jordan Prats (PhD Candidate Earth Systems Science, Expected Fall 2025).

∞Kiwanuka Moses (PhD Candidate Earth Systems Science, Expected Spring 2026).

∞Priyanka Belbase (PhD Earth Systems Science, Expected Spring 2026).

∞Kai Lopez (MS Geoscience- Non-Thesis, Expected Summer 2026).

∞Daisy Pineda (PhD Earth Systems Science, Expected Summer 2028).

∞Biplov Oli – Presidential Fellow- (PhD Earth Systems Science, Expected Summer 2028).

∞ Patrick Otema – Fulbright Student (PhD Earth Systems Science, Expected Summer 2028).

∞Divya Sree Govada (PhD Earth Systems Science, Expected Summer 2028).

Committee Member

  1. Rosario Vidales, (PhD Earth Systems Science, Summer 2025). Dissertation Title: “Characterization of red mangrove and the coastal marshes it inhabits in changing south Florida environments”
  2. John Kerigan, (MS Biology, Summer 2025). Thesis Title: “The effects of temperature and dissolved oxygen on marine sponge filtration in the Florida Keys FL, USA”
  3. Nasim Mohamadiazar, (PhD Civil Engineering, Spring 2025). Dissertation Title: “integrated flood risk, social equity and environmental justice assessment for the prioritization of bridge construction activities using spatial, data-driven, multi-criteria decision analysis”
  4. Vagheeswari Venkadesh, (PhD Earth Systems Science, Summer 2024). Dissertation Title: “Development of a novel electrochemical sensor for measuring nutrients in surface runoff for effective nutrient management”
  5. Pedro Gonzalez, (MS Environmental Studies, Summer 2024). Thesis Title: “Assessing the Effects of Saltwater Intrusion and Silicon Amendment on the Ecophysiological Traits of Cabbage Palm and Trumpet Tree”
  6. Gisselle Gutierrez-Zuniga, (MS Environmental Engineering, Fall 2022). Thesis Title: “Development of a high-resolution digital elevation model of a pilot study area in basin 6, located near the waste isolation pilot plant (WIPP), New Mexico, USA.”
  7. Folasade Adedoyin, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2021).  Dissertation Title: “Microbiological assessment of soil samples from Houston area watershed”
  8. Hanan Ali, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2021).  Dissertation Title: “Microbiological assessment of water samples in Houston, Texas”
  9. Theodora Jacobs, (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2021). Thesis Title: “The analysis of the concentration of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead and Mercury in Cannabis oil using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry”
  10. Sadith Mosquera, (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2021). Thesis Title: “Identification, isolation, and characterization of bacteria isolates from Houston, Texas watershed”
  11. Dayana Abdullah-Smoot, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2020).  Dissertation Title: “Seasonal cytotoxic effects of urban watersheds in the greater Houston area”
  12. Cynthia Turner, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2020).  Dissertation Title: “Assessment of Hepatitis C virus emergent variants and associated predictive factors”
  13. Pavani Gonnabathula, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2020).  Dissertation Title: “Assessment of emerging contaminants – Multiple pesticides and hormonal compounds in water: Effects on biomolecules and application on green nanotechnology for remediation”
  14. Djene Keita, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2020). Dissertation Title: “The effect of triclosan on signaling pathways involved in inflammation”
  15. Sarah Sejoro, (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2020). Thesis Title: “Investigating the effects of environmental heavy metals on tolerance and survival of human gut cells”
  16. Hasin Fahad Jinna, (MS Transportation Planning and Management, Spring 2020). Thesis Title: “Counter measures for reducing truck congestion at marine terminals”
  17. Sedigheh Heydari, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2019). Dissertation Title: Involvement of PPARγ in alteration of mechanisms of autophagy pathway in Acrolein toxicity”
  18. Amoge Uwalaka, (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2018). Thesis Title: “Analysis of pond water for heavy metal and pesticide contamination in Harris County, Texas”
  19. Felica Davis, (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2018). Thesis Title: “Spatial temporal patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination in the Houston Ship Channel’s Sediment”
  20. Theresa Jibunor (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2017). Dissertation Title: “Bombax cieba: A potential source for biodiesel production”
  21. Durelle Jacob, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2017). Dissertation Title: “Animal fat residue and cooking oils: The transesterification and purification of a potential source for biodiesel production”
  22. Matthew Fiala, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2017). Dissertation Title: “Development of transport model for heavy metals from non-exhaust traffic emissions”
  23. Kimyattia Smith, (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2017). Thesis Title: “Evaluation of local environmental isolates and their response to dust”
  24. Obinna Nlemedim, (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2017). Thesis Title: “Organic chemical compounds in different brands of different smoke”
  25. Christabel Ebuzoeme (MS Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2016). Thesis Title: “The photochemical effects of LED lights on various cooking oils”
  26. Qing Li, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2016). Dissertation Title: “Impacts of weaving segment design on environment and public health”
  27. Olufunmilayo A. Owopetu (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2016). Thesis Title: “Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism for studying the toxic effects of Bromacil”
  28. Parise Henry (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2016). Thesis Title: “Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for fatty acid biomarkers of exposure to an arsenic herbicide”
  29. David Ijoni-Animadu (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2016). Thesis Title: “Investigation of natural antioxidant products from extract of Fenugreek seed”
  30. Djene Keita (MS Environmental Toxicology, Spring 2015). Thesis Title: “Fate and transport of triclosan in upper bayou, Houston, Texas”
  31. Sandeel Ahmed (MS Biology, Spring 2015). Thesis Title: “The role of ribonucleases in various Yersiniae stress responses”
  32. Gloria Okome, (PhD Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2013). Dissertation Title: “Models of fate and transport of pollutants in surface waters”
  33. Chakravarthy Koricherla (MS Chemistry, Fall 2013). Thesis Title: “Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium complex containing hypoxanthine as equatorial ligand”
  34. Chioma Ihemadu (MS Environmental Toxicology, Fall 2013). Thesis Title: “Analysis of persistent organic compounds and trace metals in urine samples of young adults”

Mentor and Advisor – NSF Funded Summer Internship Undergraduate Students

  1. Nori Gammons (BS Agr. Engineering- Sophomore; Summer 2024) – USDA-REEU Grant
  2. Randy Leslie (BS Civil Engineering- Sophomore; Summer 2024) – USDA-REEU Grant
  3. Kimberly Gutierrez (BS Biology- Sophomore; Summer 2023) – USDA-REEU Grant
  4. Rafael Carbonell (AA Env. Science – Sophomore; Summer 2023) – NASA Grant
  5. Andrea Bustos (BA Geosciences – Sophomore; Summer 2023) – NASA Grant
  6. Samarah Martin (BS Environmental Studies- Junior; Fall 2022) – NSF- EIR Grant
  7. Gabriella Tavera (BS Biology- Senior; Summer 2020) – NSF- EIR Grant
  8. Jessica Okwudi (BS Biology- Senior; Summer 2020) – NSF- EIR Grant
  9. Ogeche Anene (BS Biology- Senior; Summer 2020) – NSF- EIR Grant
  10. Ebony Wiltz (BS Chemistry-Senior; Summer 2020) – NSF-EIR Grant
  11. Torye Smith (BS Biology- Junior; Summer 2019) – NSF-TI Grant
  12. Ebony Wiltz (BS Chemistry-Junior; Summer 2019) – NSF-TI Grant
  13. Alexander Cruz (BS Transportation-Sophomore; Summer 2019) – NSF-TI Grant
  14. Esther Sey (BS Biology- Senior; Summer 2019) – NSF-TI Grant
  15. Nikole Hernandez (BS Chemistry-Junior; Summer 2018) – NSF-TI Grant
  16. Esther Sey (BS Biology- Junior; Summer 2018) – NSF-TI Grant
  17. Leanna Mack (BS Biology- Junior; Summer & Fall 2018) – NSF-TI Grant
  18. Thaddeaus Johnson (BS Chemistry-Sophomore; Summer 2018) – NSF-TI Grant
  19. Adriana Rodriguez (BS Biology- Senior; Spring & Summer 2018) – NSF-TI Grant
  20. Malikiya Roberson (BS Transportation-Sophomore; Summer 2017) – NSF-TI Grant
  21. Naomi Walker (BS Civil Engineering-Junior; Summer & Fall 2017) – NSF-TI Grant
  22. Jericho Johnson (BS Chemistry-Junior; Summer & Fall 2017) – NSF-TI Grant
  23. Ibrahim Adeyemi (BS Biology- Junior; Summer 2017) – NSF-TI Grant
  24. Adriana Rodriguez (BS Biology- Junior; Summer 2017) – NSF-TI Grant
  25. Chioma Anugwam (BS Biology- Sophomore; Summer 2016) –NSF-RIA Grant
  26. Nancy Osazuwa (BS Biology- Sophomore; Summer 2016) – NSF-RIA Grant
  27. Reginald Johnson (BS Biology- Junior; Summer 2015) – NSF-RIA Grant
  28. Alex Torres (BS Chemistry-Senior; Summer 2015) – NSF-RIA Grant