Former members
SARAH PITELL
Education: I completed my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the College of Wooster in Wooster, OH in the spring of 2019.
PhD: I started my PhD in the Haig research group in Fall 2019, obtained my MS in Environmental Engineering in April 2022, and graduated in Spring 2024. My PhD focuses on evaluating how design and operational choices in the type of showerhead a consumer or building mangers uses impacts exposure to drinking water-associated pathogens that can cause infections in the immunocompromised (DWPIs). My thesis proposal is titled: “Assessing the impact of showerhead design choices on consumer exposure to DWPIs”
Projects involved in: Various projects in the INHALE lab and bioconcrete
Contact: sep109@pitt.edu
ISAIAH SPENCER-WILLIAMS
Education: I graduated in April 2019 with an undergraduate degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
PhD: I starting my PhD in the Haig research group in Fall 2019, obtained my MS in Environmental Engineering in April 2022, and will graduated in Spring 2024. My PhD thesis focuses on evaluating how design and operational changes in the urban water cycle impact microbial quality. My thesis proposal is titled:“Understanding how Changes in Operation & Design of Urban Water Infrastructure Impact Connected Aquatic Microbiomes and Public Health”
Projects involved in: Orthophosphate corrosion control impact on watersheds and the drinking water microbiome
Contact: ims17@pitt.edu
Casey Taljan
Education: I received my B.S. in Environmental Engineering in Spring 2023 from The University of Pittsburgh.
Master's: I am graduated with an M.S. in Civil Engineering with a focus in Environmental Engineering in Spring 2024. As part of my degree I worked with Sarah Pitell on CDC biofilm reactor work aimed at understanding how different silver ion CT values impact the viability of nontuberculous mycobacteria.
Contact: CMT105@pitt.edu
ALEXANDRA LOPEZ
Education: I am from Austin, Texas and graduated with a B.S degree in Civil Engineering with an Environmental Concentration and Certificate in Sustainability in Spring 2024.
Research: During my two semesters in the Haig group I worked on air quality research with Jemima Ohwobete and Isaiah Spencer-Williams.
Contact: AEL78@pitt.edu
AAMIL SHAH:
I worked in the Haig lab for two semesters in 2019-2020 and obtained my Bioengineering degree and certificate in sustainability in 2021. I worked on the self-healing concrete (Bio-concrete) project.
Where am I now: Systems Engineer at Illumina
Contact: ads191@pitt.edu
BIN WU:
I worked in the Haig lab for 2 semester in 2019-2020 and obtained my Civil Engineering degree with a focus on Structural Engineering in 2020. I worked with Drs. Haig, Sachs, and Stephens on a project aimed at using microbes to heal cracks in concrete (Bio-concrete).
Where am I now: Relationship banker for Bank of America
Contact: biw20@pitt.edu
JENNA KUHN
I am a PhD student in the School of Public Health and did two semester rotations with Dr. Haig and Dr. Ng working on understanding how PFAS impacts the gut microbiome.
Where I am now: Doing a PhD in Public Health with Dr. Peter Di.
Contact: jmk288@pitt.edu
Kareem rabbat
I worked in the Haig lab for 2 years and obtained Environmental Engineering degree with a certificate in Engineering for Humanity in 2020. I worked on a bioremediation project focused on identifying microbial degraders of persistent organic pollutants (BPA and nonylphenol) in watersheds.
Where I am now: Environmental Engineer for Indian Health Service
Contact: kar209@pitt.edu
EVAN TRUMp
I worked in the Haig lab for 2 years and obtained my Environmental Engineering degree with a certificate in Sustainability in 2021. I worked on both the self-healing concrete (Bio-concrete) project and impact of low-flow showerheads on microbial emissions.
Where I am now: I will be starting a MPH degree at the University of Pittsburgh in 2023.
Contact: emt77@pitt.edu
ALEXIS CATHEY
I graduated from Ball State University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Public Health and French in 2023. I worked in the Haig lab in the summer of 2023 as a CDC Lewis Public Health Scholar and researched the prevalence of fungi in home dust.
Where I am now: I am doing a MPH in Health Behavior and Promotion at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Elaina Geiger
I graduated in 2022 with my degree in Environmental Engineering with a certificate in sustainability. I worked in the Haig lab for three semesters working with Isaiah Spencer-Williams on a project focused on understanding how changes in Pittsburgh drinking water treatment impact surrounding urban ecology.
Where I am now: I am doing a Master's degree in City Planning with a concentration in Environmental Planning and Land Use at the University of Pennsylvania
Danny Huffman
I am a senior graduating in 2023 with my degree in Environmental Engineering. I was co-advised by Drs. Haig and Gilbertson for four semesters working with Sarah Pitell on a project focused on assessing the impact of antimicrobial silver showerheads on drinking water microbes