Name: Ali S Akanda School and Department: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Ph.D., 2009 Advisor: Shafiqul Islam

Primary Research Topic:
Investigating the Role of Hydroclimatology in Seasonal Cholera Transmission

Cholera remains a major public health issue in the developing world, mainly in coastal areas around the tropics. Cholera incidence shows significant bi-annual peaks and strong inter-annual variability in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin region of South Asia. Increasing water temperature and phytoplankton blooms during the spring low flow season increases the concentration of pathogenic V. Cholerae in the coastal Bay of Bengal region. Sea water intrusion during this time of the year provides favorable conditions for the first outbreak of cholera. Cholera incidence decreases during peak monsoon precipitation period when most of the region undergoes flooding and open mixing of water networks and reservoirs. The second peak is triggered in late monsoon and has shown strong links with above average floods. Cholera epidemics have been historically linked to climate variables and more recently with El Nino-Southern Oscillation; however, the role of hydroclimatology and the regional ocean-atmospheric processes is poorly understood. The goal is to understand the role of these processes in an attempt to identify predictors with significant memory on a seasonal or longer time scale.

Other Project Titles:
Seasonal Streamflow Forecasting for Ganges-Brahmputra-Meghna Basin - A Framework for Promoting Cooperation in Transboundary River Basins

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
Visual Basic, Matlab, Perl, ArcGIS, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, AutoCAD Civil 3D

Name: Christine Ash School and Department: School of Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: MS, 2008 Advisors: John Durant, Doug Brugge, Wig Zamore (Mystic View Task Force)

Primary Research Topic:
Spatial distribution of vehicular air pollutants in the air near highways

Two highway transects in Somerville, MA were monitored via a mobile laboratory for several air pollutants, including PAHs, NOx, CO, CO2, SOx, and analyzed spatially and temporally to determine their distribution in the air.

Name: Joshua Berkowitz School and Department: Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Masters of Arts, 2008 Advisors: Julian Agyeman (UEP), Rusty Russell (UEP), Paul Kirshen (CEE)

Primary Research Topic:
Environmental Equity Assessment of Combined Sewer Overflows in Mystic River Watershed

In my research, I seek to investigate the location of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in relation to community demographics within the Mystic River Watershed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). This relationship has not been assessed in any comprehensive way to date and will help to determine if, and the extent to which, CSOs constitute an environmental justice violation in the communities of the watershed.

Other Project Titles:
Integrated assessment of the impacts of runoff on coastal water quality in the Bahamas

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Photography, Policy and Planning, conversational Spanish,

Post Graduation Interests:
Consulting, government, NGO/advocacy, sustainable development and resource management, water resource systems analysis

Name: Benjamin Bornstein School and Department: Graduate Engineering, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: M.S. Environmental Health, 2009 Advisor: Anne Marie Desmarais

Primary Research Topic:
An Evaluation of the Exposure Parameters and Possible Risks Posed to Human and Ecosystem Health Due to Fish Consumption from Areas of the Mystic River Watershed

Recent data collected by certain environmental and health agencies suggests that various species of fish within sections of the Mystic River Watershed, MA, have high levels of toxicity. The three most commonly found substances are DDT, chlordane, and PCBs. These compounds have been banned for years in the US but are persistent in the environment and can bioaccumulate to dangerously high levels, especially in the tissues of higher trophic-level organisms. Anecdotal evidence indicates that many community members, especially from certain environmental justice and ethnic populations, may be relying on Mystic-caught fish as a common source of food. These substances are known to cause detrimental effects on human and animal health after high or prolonged exposure. Through my research I hope to gain insight as to the level of risk the contaminated fish pose to humans that consume them, and what sort of long term implications contaminated water and sediments may have on the ecosystem. I will also try to determine exposure statistics for people that consume toxic fish, and try to assess if state advisories are appropriate and having the desired impact.

Other Project Titles:
WSSS Practicum, Nassau, Bahamas

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
ArcGIS, Coastal Surveying, New England Ecosystems, Risk Assessment, Public Health, Geology, Spanish

Post Graduation Interests:
T ravel, international development and urbanization, consulting, Ph.D or M.D. program

Name: Katie Cerretani School and Department: Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Agriculture, Food and Environment Program Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Masters of Science, 2009 Advisors: Willie Lockeretz, Kathleen Marrigan

Primary Research Topic:
Directed study TBD - my research interests include urban agriculture and water reclamation/reuse

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
3 yrs working on compliance end of USAID- and USDA- funded food aid programs,
some proposal writing; spanish

Name: Rhiannon Ervin School and Department: Graduate School of Engineering, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Doctor of Philosophy Advisors: Andrew Ramsburg

Primary Research Topic:
Quantification of DNAPL architectural features using partitioning tracers in a modified push-pull test

In recent history, many groundwater aquifers have been contaminated by accidental or purposeful disposal of organic compounds, such as chlorinated solvents. Currently, a great deal of research is being conducted on how best to remove these contaminants from the subsurface and restore groundwater quality. Within the aquifer, chlorinated solvents form a non aqueous phase which is distributed as small blobs in individual sand grain pores, or as larger blobs in interconnected pores, known as pools. The best type of remediation and the benefit of attempting remediation is largely dependant on this spatial distribution. The purpose of my research is to develop a tool that can be used to estimate the spatial distribution of the contamination, with the hope that this information will help guide remediation designs.

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
Fate and transport of chemicals in the environment, chemical lab work, experimental design

Post Graduation Interests:
Work for a consulting firm or government agency on groundwater remediation projects

Name: Derek Etkin School and Department: Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Masters of Science, 2008 Advisors: Paul Kirshen, Richard Vogel, Steven Block

Primary Research Topic:
Utilizing Seasonal Forecasts for Reservoir Operations in the Comoé River Basin, Burkina Faso.

A network of reservoirs and diversion structures in the Comoe River Basin in southwestern Burkina Faso, West Africa, provides municipal water supply and irrigation water for sugarcane agribusiness and a population of subsistence farmers. The region is characterized by severe intra seasonal and inter-annual variability with respect to precipitation and reservoir inflows. Reservoir operations are generally conservative, even during wet years. This work shows how seasonal precipitation and stream flow forecasts can provide more efficient and equitable release decisions throughout the entire irrigation cycle. Working closely with stakeholders and local institutions, a stochastic linear programming model was developed which translates conditionally weighted scenario-tree stream flow and precipitation forecasts into optimal release schedules for reservoir operators to implement in real-time as forecasts and system conditions change. A VBA-based graphic user interface (GUI) is used to ensure implementation and ease of use by operators.

Other Project Titles:
- Global reservoir storage-yield performance regression
- Real-time updated rainfall runoff modeling in the Comoe River Basin

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), ArcGIS, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, Mathematical
Optimization (GAMS), Linear Programming, Stochastic Modeling, 2 years as water treatment
engineer, Land Surveying, French

Post Graduation Interests:
Consulting, rural development, water resource systems analysis

Name: Yongxuan Gao School and Department: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Graduation Year: Ph.D., 2009 Advisors: Dr. Paul Kirshen, Dr. Richard Vogel, Dr. Peter Walker and Dr. Vladimir Smakhtin (International Water Management Institute)

Primary Research Topic:
Environmental Flows in the Context of Small Reservoirs in Ghana

Applying integrated water resources management to improve livelihood in developing countries and environmental flows. She is currently conducting her research on environmental flows in the context of small reservoirs in Ghana, West Africa.

Other Project Titles:
Development of Representative Indicators of Hydrological Alteration Using Principal Component Analysis

Name: Lauren Klonsky School and Department: Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Masters of Science, 2008 Advisors: Richard Vogel, Lee Minardi, Jack Ridge

Primary Research Topic:
Effective Discharge and Sediment Transport in Rivers

The concept of effective discharge, Qe, introduced by Wolman and Miller in 1960 is that stream flow which transports the most sediment over time. Recently, numerous investigators have questioned how meaningful Qe is as a descriptor of sediment transport and new discharge indices, such as the half-load discharge Q1/2, have been introduced to improve the precision with which one describes the ability of a particular discharge to transport sediment. Numerous recent studies have also suggested that among the various empirical estimators of Qe, there does not seem to be a uniform consensus as to which is most consistent and meaningful. This study uses an example to clarify the method of estimation of both Qe and Q1/2. We show that the discharges up to the effective discharge for the Mississippi River at St Louis, are only responsible for carrying 25% of its long term sediment load. We question whether or not such a discharge is truly "effective" in terms of its ability to transport sediment, over time. An alternative index, the half load discharge, is recommended instead, because it is always responsible for transporting 50% of the long term sediment load.

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), MathCAD, Environmental Engineering Consultant
Intern, Research Assistant on a constructed wetland facility, Spanish

Name: Karen Claire Kosinski School and Department: School of Engineering, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Ph.D., 2010 Advisors: Dr. John Durant (School of Engineering), Dr. David M. Gute (School of Engineering),Dr. Miguel Stadecker (The Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences, Tufts)

Primary Research Topic:
Novel Preventative Measures for the Control of Schistosomiasis: A Preliminary Trial in Adasawase, Ghana

Approximately thirty-five percent of children and adolescents in Adasawase, Ghana are infected with the parasite Schistosoma haematobium. They contract the parasite in several local rivers where they play, bathe, and collect water. The disease caused by this parasite, urinary schistosomiasis, may be characterized by painful urination, blood in the urine, and possible long-term bladder pathology. I hypothesize that a water recreation structure will be a novel, effective, and sustainable intervention for schistosomiasis.

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
Excel, Lindo, Mathcad, Visual Modflow, Spanish, very basic Twi

Post Graduation Interests:
International work, use of water resources engineering to prevent/mitigate public
health problems, especially parasitic diseases, in the tropical world

Name: Armando Milou School and Department: Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: MA, 2008 Advisors: Scott Horsley, Paul Kirshen

Primary Research Topic:
Stormwater Low-Impact Development BMPs feasibility for Low-Income Communities in San Pedro Sula, Honduras

The objectives of the project include the identification of successful LID policies, technologies and practices that can potentially be transferred to Low-Income Settlements (LIS) in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Particular attention will be given to areas with higher slope gradient, susceptible to erosion, landslides and mudflows. Special consideration will be given to current stormwater infrastructure in LIS and the "common dilemmas" they face. Primary data will be collected on-site during February and March 2008, and will include person-to-person questionnaires on 100 households in low-income settlements--tracked using GPS; and interviews with key stakeholders, such as municipal water commissions, NGOs and local politicians via e-mail, survey monkey and/or personal interviews. The goal of this project is to measure the feasibility, applicability and barriers to the implementation of policies that promote the use of LID BMPs. The georeferenced locations will be used to analyze the responses according to their proximity to natural drainage flows and "formal" city limits; elevation; and the extent of nearby deforestation. The study is partially funded by a Graduate Student Research Award from Tufts' Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Other Project Titles:
Redeveloping the Lower Mystic River: Case Studies and Best Practices; Integrated Water Management (Flooding and water quality) Alewife Brook, MA

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
Geographic Information Systems (ArcMap)

Post Graduation Interests:
International development work with a focus on stormwater and sanitation

Name: Makito Ohikata School and Department: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Department of Urban and Environment Policy and Planning Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Masters of Arts, 2009 Advisor: Rusty Russel

Primary Research Topic:
Slum improvement/ Disaster reconstruction

I am interested in a combined policy/strategy of water management issues and housing issues in developing countries. An example of such an approach is a slum improvement policy that addresses the provision of housing, drinking water, and sanitation in slum environments in developing countries or post disaster reconstruction policy for low-income communities including resettlement and disaster prevention for flooding or tsunami. I intend to focus on a specific topic and area for my graduate thesis.

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
AutoCAD, VectorWorks, Spanish, Japanese

Post Graduation Interests:
Slum Improvement, urban development, water resources management

Name: Jesus A. Sanchez School and Department: Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Masters of Science, 2009 Advisor: Paul Kirshen

Primary Research Topic:
Risk-based Approach to Adaptation Planning of Reservoir Systems Under Climate Change

Other Project Titles:
Rainfall runoff modeling in the Comoé River Basin, Burkina Faso

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
MATLAB programming, Watershed modeling, Applications of Appropriate Technology in Developing Countries, Spanish

Post Graduation Interests:
Water resource system analysis, Sustainable development

Name: Edward Spang School and Department: The Fletcher School, International Environment and Resource Policy Degree and Expected Year of Graduation: Ph.D., 2009 Advisors: William Moomaw, Steve Block, Paul Kirshen

Primary Research Topic:
Participatory Modeling for Improved Water Management in Small Island Developing States

Many small island nations of the world face severe water management challenges as the limited local supplies are experiencing overuse, pollution and increased variability from climate change. Effective management of these fragile fresh water systems is critical for a sustainable future and requires the informed participation and cooperation of stakeholders within the system. While many agree that involving stakeholders in the management process leads to a more broadly accepted outcome and greater ownership for implementation, there is a lack of consensus on whether participation necessarily leads to effective behavior change. Therefore, the purpose of my research is to explore the value of participatory system dynamics modeling as a method for enhancing group learning, consensus building and behavior change for sustainable water management in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Other Project Titles:
The Potential for Wind-Powered Desalination in Water-Scarce Countries (Master's
Thesis); Alpine Lakes and Glaciers of Peru: Managing Sources of Water and Destruction
(TIE Grant Project); Interdisciplinary Rapid Watershed Assessment in Central America
(Mesoamerican Barrier Reef Systems Project)


Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
GIS - ArcGIS; System Dynamics - VenSIM, STELLA; Econometrics - STATA; Spanish

Post Graduation Interests:
Implementing IWRM, improving stakeholder participation, combined energy and water
planning

Name: Ayron Strauch School and Department: Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Biology Degree and graduation date: Ph.D., 2010 Advisor: Astier Almedom, Michael Reed, Francie Chew, David Gute, John Durant, Joann Lindenmayer

Primary Research Topic:
Water quality impacts on social and ecological systems in Northern Tanzania

Water resources in the Serengeti ecosystem are spatially and temporally variable and the result of regionally disparate geological and biological conditions as well as local differences in traditional
resource management (TRM). This asymmetry has repercussions for the seasonal distribution of large mammals, the cycling of nutrients, and the health of communities. My objective is to understand the variability of water resource quality and how TRM affects the health of households. I hypothesize that particular water-related uses severely impact water quality but that the level of contamination varies based on the time of use, the season, and the individual water source. There are likely to be social and traditional mechanisms in the village that limit contamination, either by temporal or spatial separation of conflicting water-related uses. Whether these mechanisms promote human health or adversely impact the ecosystem is unknown.

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
Intern as Water Chemistry Analyst, New England Aquarium, GIS analysis of water related behavior in rural Tanzania

Name: Justine Treadwell School and Department: Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy Degree and graduation date: M.A. in Law and Diplomacy, 2009 Advisor: Steve Block

Primary Research Topic:
Irrigation policy and practice in lakeshore communities of Malawi

Other Project Titles:
Does Tobacco as a Cash Crop in Malawi Make Economic Sense in Light of Endemic Food Insecurity?

Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
Special water related experience: erosion control through soil improvement and edible groundcover in
tropical agriculture; permaculture systems design and management; Kiswahili, Chichewa (Malawi/Zambia), some Spanish

Name: Li Wang School and Department: School of Engineering, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering Degree and expected graduation year: Ph.D., 2009 Advisor: Linda Abriola (CEE)

Primary Research Topic:
Reactive Transport Modeling for Evaluation of Long Term Performance of Permeable Reactive Barriers for Remediation of Arsenic Contaminated Groundwater

The primary goal of my research is to numerically investigate the combined effects of mineral fouling, gas entrapment and biofouling on the long term performance of conceptual PRB systems that are representative of realistic groundwater remediation scenarios using reactive transport modeling methods. To effectively predict the evolution of such a PRB system, the processes of mineral precipitation/dissolution, gas generation and entrapment, and biomass accumulation will be incorporated into a reactive transport model and their impacts on flow, reactions and transport in the PRB system will be simulated. The influence of heterogeneity in aquifer and the PRB itself will also be simulated to better understand the PRB performance under typical field conditions. The modeling results will help identify which factor or combination of factors are most important in PRB performance evaluation and provide guidance in PRB design and operation under different site characteristics.


Water-Relevant Experiences, Technical Skills, Software, Languages:
investigation of soil and groundwater contamination, landfill leachate treatment,surface water modeling (LAKE2K, QUA2K), geochemical modeling (PHEEQC, MINEQL),groundwater & contaminant transport modeling (MODFLOW, MT3D, RT3D, PHAST, HYDRUS1D), parameter estimation & uncertainty analysis (PEST, CXTFIT, GIS, ArcGIS), programming - Fortran, C/C++, VBA, Matlab, Chinese (Mandarin)

Post Graduation Interests:
Consulting, Investigation & Remediation of Soil & Groundwater Contamination