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Team

Amy Pickering, PhD

Associate Professor

Dr. Pickering is the Blum Center Distinguished Chair in Global Poverty and Practice jointly appointed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Blum Center for Developing Economies. Dr. Pickering received her B.S. from Cornell University, M.S. from the University of California, Berkeley, and Ph.D. from Stanford University. She has also held positions as a senior fellow and research engineer at Stanford University, an environmental engineer at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Fulbright Fellow in Malaysia. She is a Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Investigator and winner of the NSF early CAREER Award.

    Sooyeol (Suzy) Kim, PhD

    Postdoc

    Suzy’s research focuses on using wastewater to gain information about the health status of communities, often referred to as wastewater-based epidemiology. Suzy completed her MS and PhD in Environmental Engineering at Stanford University where she focused on optimizing use of wastewater monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic at different scales of systems. She received her BS from Harvey Mudd College in Chemistry. 

      Daniel Daehyun Kim, PhD

      Postdoc

      Daniel is interested in investigating how antibiotic-resistant genes are transmitted between humans, animals, and the environment. He previously received his BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Korea University, and his MS and PhD from KAIST, where he studied microbial nitrogen cycles in diverse environments with respect to greenhouse gas.

        Mwale Chiyenge, PhD

        Postdoc

        Mwale’s research focuses on evaluating the effects of a passive, in-line chlorination intervention alongside on-site disinfectant production on maternal and neonatal health outcomes in low resourced, rural health care facilities. She received her PhD in Civil Engineering with an Environmental Engineering focus from New York University where her research centered around modeling sunlight disinfection kinetics of waterborne bacteria and viruses. Prior to this, she received her B.S. and Master of Environmental Engineering from Texas Tech University.

          Kendra Joy Dahmer, PhD

          Postdoc

          Kendra’s research focuses on improving and implementing environmental surveillance tools for soil-transmitted helminths in endemic countries. Kendra completed her PhD in Comparative Biomedical Sciences at UW-Madison where her research focused on drug target discovery and molecular surveillance tools for vector-transmitted parasitic nematodes. She holds an AA in Sciences from Golden West College and a BS in Microbiology from UW-Milwaukee.

            Denise Garcia

            PhD Student, CEE

            Denise is an MS/PhD student at UC Berkeley. Denise obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in environmental engineering at San Diego State University.  Denise conducted research in Tijuana, MX on decentralized wastewater treatment systems. She was awarded the NSF graduate research fellowship and hopes to conduct research on disease transmission in low-income countries while attending UC Berkeley.

              Jeremy Lowe

              PhD Student, CEE

              Jeremy focuses on understanding transmission pathways of pathogens in the environment in low-income countries, human exposure to these pathogens and subsequent health outcomes, and strategies that can limit exposure to pathogens and improve health. He previously graduated from NC State University with a B.S. in Environmental Engineering. Outside of research, Jeremy loves being outside either running, cycling, or hiking.

                Caroline McCormack

                PhD student, CEE

                Caroline is an environmental engineering MS/PhD student at UC Berkeley interested in pathogen transmission in the environment and antimicrobial resistance. She previously graduated with a BS in chemistry and a minor in global health from Emory University, where she researched the synthesis of novel disinfectants to combat antimicrobial resistant bacteria

                  Hannah Wharton

                  PhD student, CEE

                  Hannah received her BS and MS in Civil Engineering from UMass Amherst, where she evaluated bacterial water quality from point-of-use water treatment for low income settings and researched pathogen transport in intermittent water supply. Her research interests focus on investigating pathogen transmission in low-income settings and the impacts of WASH interventions on transmission pathways. 

                    Marcy Sanchez

                    PhD Student, CEE

                    Marcy is a first-year MS/PhD student at UC Berkeley. She graduated from Yale in 2022 with a BS in Environmental Engineering and spent three years in the environmental remediation industry in New York City. She took a year off during her undergraduate education to focus full-time on wastewater-based epidemiology research to track COVID-19 levels and plans to continue building upon wastewater and public health research at Berkeley.

                      Joyce Kisiangani

                      PhD Student, EHS

                      Joyce’s research focuses on evaluating passive chlorination in healthcare facilities in resource-constrained regions. Prior to joining the Pickering Lab at UC Berkeley, she received her MPH from Moi University, Kenya and spent 8 years working at the Aquaya Institute, a non-profit research institute focused on water and sanitation. While there, Joyce conducted research into targeted pro-poor interventions and safe water management and developed a particular interest in water quality.

                        John Mboya

                        MPH Student

                        John Mboya is a MPH student at Berkeley with a Global Health Fellowship. He is also a research associate with Innovations for Poverty, Action in Kenya and has managed a large number of WASH and global health field projects. He is interested in strategies to provide equitable health care access in Kenya, and reducing environmental transmission of infectious disease in rural Kenya.

                          Vishnu Kotta

                          PhD Student, CEE

                          Vishnu Kotta completed his BS and MS at Arizona State University, where he researched pathogen and biofilm interactions with building water treatment technologies and their downstream impacts on public health. At UC Berkeley, he aims to assess the burden of zoonotic and environmentally transmitted pathogens, as well as antimicrobial resistance, in low-resource settings worldwide. He is interested in investigating engineered interventions that strengthen public health infrastructure in these communities.

                            Kennedy Brown

                            PhD Student, CEE

                            Kennedy is a first year PhD student in the Pickering lab, and comes from the University of Vermont where she received her BS in Civil Engineering and her MS in Environmental Engineering. As an undergraduate and graduate student she conducted research on microbial pathways for the anaerobic degradation of organic waste. She is excited to exercise her passion for equitable WASH systems by applying her knowledge in wastewater treatment to a public health setting. During her summers, Kennedy works for Idaho Fish and Game on a backcountry snorkel crew where she gets to do her favorite activities such as hiking, biking, swimming, and being outdoors. 

                              Joël Siko

                              Visiting PhD Student

                              Joël is a visiting PhD student from Benin working on detection of STHs eggs in soil and wastewater, with the aim of developing tools for environmental monitoring of STHs and other diseases in endemic areas. He has an MS from University of Abomey-Calavi where he studied monitoring of aquatic resources with research on assessment of fish parasites as biological markers of inland water quality.

                                Henry Warder

                                Consultant

                                Henry has an MEng in Mechanical Engineering. Henry’s work with the Pickering Lab is focused on building products, devices and services that increase access to clean drinking water in resource constrained communities. When he’s not in the lab mocking up his latest designs, Henry can most likely be found surfing his local break or running his favorite trails.

                                  Pratiyush Singh

                                  MS DevEng

                                  Pratiyush is an NSF Digital Transformation of Development Fellow in the Development Engineering program at UC Berkeley, where he also earned his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering and Data Science. His research interests focus on harnessing data science, spatial analysis, and machine learning to address climate resilience and health vulnerabilities by developing equitable engineering solutions tailored to resource-constrained communities.

                                    Crystal Ong

                                    UG, MCB + Public Health

                                    Crystal is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, double majoring in Molecular and Cell Biology (Cell and Developmental Physiology) and Public Health. She is passionate about learning and teaching science, as well as addressing medical and community health inequities. Other organizations she is involved in on campus include being an educational director for the Telehealth DeCal, volunteering with the Kidney Disease Screening & Awareness Program, and leading the Asian Community Health organization. Beyond academia, she enjoys skiing in Tahoe, attending concerts with friends, and exploring different cafes around Berkeley!

                                      Olivia Wahl

                                      UG, Applied Math

                                      Olivia is an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley studying applied mathematics. Olivia is passionate about sustainable infrastructure to improve people’s health and decrease water contamination. She is also dedicated to the use of technology to mitigate societal issues. Olivia is committed to using analytics for social good.

                                        Alexa Piscil

                                        UG, BioE

                                        Alexa Piscil is an undergraduate at the University of California, Berkeley, studying bioengineering. She is passionate about researching and creating solutions to ailments that affect people of color at a higher or unknown rate to better represent communities of color in the medical and science fields. She is focused on researching methods that involve 
                                        medical devices, cell and tissue engineering, and recombinant DNA technology. Outside of research, Alexa likes to play with UC Berkeley Mariachi Luz de Oro, listen to music, read, bake, travel, and hang out with friends!

                                          Sophia Anjali Roy-Burman

                                          UG Public Health

                                          Sophia is a third-year undergraduate from the Bay Area studying Public Health.  Through a framework of empathy and connection, she is passionate about bridging health disparities across communities, leveraging data to elucidate trends and inform policy reform.  With the Pickering Lab, Sophia is excited to work at both the smallest and largest scales in antimicrobial resistance – a critical, and rapidly growing, Public Health concern.  In her free time, Sophia enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, and cycling!

                                            Theo Pan

                                            UG, Data Science

                                            Theo is a third year undergraduate student studying data science at UC Berkeley. He is passionate about the use of data science and artificial intelligence to improve health outcomes. Outside of academics, Theo enjoys volunteering for an organization called the Coalition of Concerned Medical Professionals, which organizes free donated medical care for low income workers. He also enjoys hiking, running, and playing piano.

                                              Emma Nathanson

                                              UG Interdisciplinary Studies

                                              Emma is a third-year Interdisciplinary Studies student in the fields of Epidemiology, Public Health, and Climate Change. She addresses these topics with a OneHealth approach, emphasizing the interconnection between human, nonhuman animal, and planetary health. In particular, she is interested in the interplay between pathogens and climate change. Emma is motivated to improve global health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations, and to take strides to mitigate the climate crisis. In her spare time, she enjoys outdoor sports and travel.

                                                Femke Maes

                                                Visiting PhD Student

                                                Femke is a visiting PhD student from Ghent University. Her research evaluates the impact of public drinking water infrastructure and home-based water treatment systems in rural low-income regions. In addition to focusing on pathogen reduction and health improvement, she is also interested in user-perspectives on water treatment and household-level cost-benefit analysis. She holds a BS and MS in Educational sciences and a MS in Economics from Ghent University. 

                                                  Aidan Mahoney

                                                  MS DevEng

                                                  Aidan Mahoney is in the Development Engineering program at Berkeley. He received his undergraduate degree of environmental engineering from the University of Vermont where he became passionate about WASH technology. His research interests are in designing and scaling passive in line chlorination systems.

                                                    Lana Makarem

                                                    UG Public Health

                                                    Lana is a second-year undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley studying public health. She is passionate about using STEM education as a way to connect with youth and foster passion for learning and discovery. She also strives to understand and address health inequities through all facets of her personal and professional journey. On campus, she is a volunteer EMT with the Berkeley Medical Reserve Corps and the K-12 director for the Middle Eastern North African Recruitment and Retention Center. Off campus, she enjoys her job as an EMT in Oakland and San Francisco as well as going camping and exploring new places with friends!

                                                      Kaylynn Sue-Jung Yune

                                                      UG Molecular and Cell Biology

                                                      Kaylynn is an undergraduate Molecular and Cell Biology major at UC Berkeley passionate about global health and sustainable solutions for health disparities, particularly in vulnerable populations. She became interested in waterborne diseases after witnessing the impact of contaminated water firsthand during global medical mission trips. Drawn to the Pickering Lab’s work on in-line chlorination and maternal and neonatal health, she hopes to contribute her skills in health education and graphic design. She enjoys playing tennis, foosball, practicing instruments, and exploring cafes in her free time.

                                                        June Kim

                                                        UG Biology & Public Health

                                                        I am a first-year student at UC Berkeley double majoring in Integrative Biology and Public Health. I am passionate about promoting global health equity, particularly in the context of the social determinants of health. I hope to address the disparities that make certain geographical and socioeconomic communities more vulnerable to diseases on a global scale. As an aspiring physician, I am eager to learn about human health from a holistic perspective and explore ways to improve care for diverse populations. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, film photography, reading, and painting.

                                                          Natalie Leyva

                                                          UG, BioE

                                                          Natalie Leyva is a second-year undergraduate student at UC Berkeley majoring in bioengineering. She is passionate about harnessing engineering to address global health challenges, with a special focus on developing medical devices that detect and prevent infectious diseases. Natalie is particularly interested in how accessible and innovative technologies can disrupt disease transmission and improve health outcomes in low-resource settings. Inspired by the interdisciplinary work of the Pickering Lab, she looks forward to contributing to research that integrates epidemiology, genomics, and engineering to create scalable public health solutions. On campus, Natalie is committed to expanding STEM education in the Bay Area, especially by creating opportunities for students who are underrepresented in STEM or have had limited exposure to science and engineering. She enjoys mentoring and encouraging students to explore STEM fields and pursue their interests. Outside of her academic pursuits, Natalie loves exploring the Bay Area, hiking, and discovering new coffee shops with friends.

                                                              Lab Alumni

                                                              Katya Cherukumilli, Phd

                                                              Assistant Professor, University of Washington

                                                                Maya Nadimpalli, PhD

                                                                Assistant Professor, Emory University

                                                                  Julie Powers, PhD

                                                                  CA State Water Board

                                                                    Syed Anjerul Islam, MS

                                                                    Current: PhD Student, UNC Chapel Hill

                                                                      Eve Abraha, BS

                                                                      Undergraduate

                                                                        Aathavan Senthilkumar

                                                                        UG, Mechanical Engineering

                                                                          Pooja Patel, MS

                                                                            Jacqueline Paredes-Kao

                                                                              Rui Xin (Louise) Tham

                                                                                Seojin Choi

                                                                                  Yoshika Crider

                                                                                  Assistant Professor, University of Minnesota

                                                                                    Erica Fuhrmeister, PhD

                                                                                    Assistant Professor, University of Washington

                                                                                      Elana Chan, BS

                                                                                      Current: Phd Student, CEE, Stanford University

                                                                                        Katie Liu

                                                                                          Abby Harvey Paulos, PhD

                                                                                          Current: Postdoc Emory University

                                                                                            Shruteek Mairal

                                                                                            Undergraduate in CBE

                                                                                              Sanaiya Islam, MS

                                                                                              PhD Student, USC

                                                                                                Mark Kiffe, MS

                                                                                                  Kaylee Martin

                                                                                                  PhD Student, U of Washington

                                                                                                    Neha Lingam

                                                                                                      Hillary Khuu

                                                                                                        Marlene Wolfe, PhD

                                                                                                        Assistant Professor, Emory University

                                                                                                          Heather Amato, PhD

                                                                                                          Assistant Professor, University of Maryland

                                                                                                            Jenna Swarthout, PhD

                                                                                                            Project, Community and Outreach manager, MDAnalysis

                                                                                                              Molly Cantrell, MS

                                                                                                              Current: Centers for Disease Control

                                                                                                                Scarlet Bliss, MS

                                                                                                                Current: Tracking California

                                                                                                                  Michael Harris, PhD

                                                                                                                    Adantchede Louis Zannou, MS

                                                                                                                      Nick Nola, MS

                                                                                                                        Esher Mburu

                                                                                                                          Isabella Reyes

                                                                                                                            Katie Conners

                                                                                                                              Copyright © 2025 Amy Pickering