People

Dr. Jacqueline Gerson (she/her), Lead PI of the Watershed Biogeochemistry in the Anthropocene Lab
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
[email protected]

Jacqueline is an aquatic biogeochemist. She is interested in understanding how human activity alters the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and contaminants across the watershed. Her interdisciplinary approach recognizes humans as part of the ecosystem and investigates the impact of ecosystem perturbations on humans and wildlife. She has worked in vineyards in California, the Adirondack Mountains of New York, mountaintop coal mining areas of West Virginia, and gold mining areas of the Peruvian Amazon and Senegal. She is committed to increasing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in STEM by embedding it within her teaching, mentoring, and research. Jacqueline earned her PhD in Ecology from Duke University, MS in Environmental Engineering Science from Syracuse University, and BA in Biochemistry from Colgate University.

Samantha Davies, PhD student
Samantha Davies is excited to explore the biogeochemical cycling of mercury in the Gerson Lab. She is examining the relationship between methylmercury and methane production in aquatic ecosystems. Previously, she used oyster shells to reconstruct Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary climate in the southern United States. This project included field work in Mississippi and Texas. Samantha also worked on a Lake Erie-based project to determine the role of hydrogen peroxide in the production of microcystin in harmful algal blooms. Samantha earned her B.S. in Earth and Environmental Science at the University of Michigan.

Jenna Hynes, PhD student
Jenna Hynes is interested in the biogeochemical cycling of contaminants from anthropogenic sources and how those contaminants affect ecosystem functions and services in the surrounding watershed. She is also interested in working with communities to better understand the impact of these contaminants on people. Her research investigates the cycling of mercury from artisanal gold mining in Ghana, focusing on crop uptake of the mercury. Previously, Jenna worked as a technician on The National COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance Project in North Carolina measuring levels of COVID-19 in Wastewater Treatment Plants and also investigated potential sources of fecal contamination within a local estuary in the Southern Outer Banks, NC. Jenna earned her B.S. in Environmental Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill). Following the completion of her B.S., Jenna worked as a technician at the Institute of Marine Science UNC-Chapel Hill. Check out Jenna's personal website here.

Donovan Vitale, PhD student
Donovan Vitale is a hydrogeologist focused on the fate and transport of contaminants and their impacts on human and ecosystem health. He currently conducts research in the Gerson Lab, investigating the link between methylmercury production and harmful algal blooms. His previous research emphasized applied hydrogeology, with a particular focus on the environmental behavior of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). His master’s thesis examined PFAS concentrations and compositions in naturally occurring surface water foams, evaluating their use as a PFAS sampling matrix to understand PFAS distribution and transport in aquatic systems. Donovan holds a B.S. in Geophysics and an M.S. in Geosciences from Western Michigan University.

Casey Iwamoto, Postdoctoral scholar
Casey Iwamoto is a biogeochemist interested in the restoration of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems impacted by anthropogenic activity. Her dissertation research evaluated the physiochemical role of biochar in post-mined soil restoration and reforestation, as well as key drivers of carbon cycling in Costa Rican tropical headwaters. Casey earned her PhD in Forest Resources at Mississippi State University and a B.S. in Environmental Science and Secondary Education from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Mushtaq Ali, Master in Engineering Student
Mushtaq Ali is completing her Masters of Engineering in Environmental Engineering. She is interested in the biogeochemical cycling of contaminants and their impacts on aquatic ecosystems. In the Gerson lab, she is examining mercury contamination associated with artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Peru. Mushtaq is broadly interested in environmental processes, water quality, and the transport of contaminants through natural and engineered systems.

Brune Boukobza, Master in Engineering Student
Brune Boukobza is completing her Masters of Engineering in Environmental Engineering. She is interested in sustainability and climate impacts, particularly with emerging contaminants and heavy metals. She previously worked on targeted water sampling for PFAS in the Finger Lakes region with Dr. Damian Helbling to analyze the prevalence of PFAS around potential contamination sites, as well as with the Water Resource Institute on a 15-year profile of heavy metal chemical discharge into New York's water bodies using the EPA TRI database. In the Gerson lab, she is examining how artisanal gold mining impacts mercury concentrations in snails, water, and sediment in Tanzania. Brune is very excited to be working in the Gerson Lab and continuing her research!

ZZ Khalid, Master in Engineering Student
ZZ Khalid is a senior majoring in Environment and Sustainability with a concentration in Land, Air, and Water Resources and minors in Sustainable Business and Art History. She is simultaneously beginning her first semester in the Master of Environmental Engineering program. ZZ is passionate about educating communities on the environmental impacts of anthropogenic activities, particularly as they relate to water quality and aquatic ecosystems. In the Gerson lab, she is examining how the application of biosolids on agricultural lands influences contaminant loading and affects fish populations in nearby water bodies.

Lila Cypers, Wundergrad
Lila Cypers is an undergraduate student studying Biological Sciences. She is interested in biogeochemical cycles and how human activity alters them across ecosystems. Lila is excited to contribute to the lab and its research on the connections between human influence and ecosystem processes.

Lily Heslam, Wundergrad
Lily Heslam is an undergraduate student studying Environment & Sustainability. She is interested in the impact of anthropogenic activity on biogeochemical cycling. Before joining the lab, she participated in a study abroad program in New Zealand, where she researched biogeochemical cycling in a coastal wetland, inspiring her to further explore this field. Lily is excited to be a part of the lab and continue her research pursuits!

Lenny Metlitsky, Wundergrad
Lenny Metlitsky is an undergraduate student studying Environmental Engineering. He is interested in quantifying the effect of man-made water bodies, especially mining ponds, on global landscapes and biogeochemical cycling. Before joining the lab, he worked on a project to predict harmful algal blooms using remote sensing and machine learning. He is excited to join this lab of passionate researchers and learn more about anthropogenic effects on mercury cycling!

Shalini Ramakrishnan, Wundergrad
Shalini Ramakrishnan is an undergraduate student studying Global and Public Health Sciences. She is passionate about exploring the connection between environmental determinants and human health. Before joining the lab, she interned at Hackensack Meridian Health and worked on health disparities and colorectal cancer research. Shalini is excited to be a part of the team!

Oscar Wang, Wundergrad
Oscar Wang is an enthusiastic undergraduate student studying Environmental Engineering. He is particularly interested in the processes that govern the natural world, and the hidden mechanisms that drive these processes. He is very excited to be a part of the lab and looks forward to his work in the future. In his free time, he likes to rock climb, hike, and read.

Rhiannon Whelan, Wundergrad
Rhiannon Whelan is an undergraduate student studying Biological Engineering. She is interested in aquatic ecosystems and how engineering can mitigate the impacts of human activity on the environment. Before joining the lab, she worked on a project investigating how ribbed mussels can tolerate climate change and prevent algal blooms. Rhiannon is excited to be a part of the lab and learn more about methylmercury cycling

Eric Yan, Wundergrad
Eric Yan is an undergraduate student majoring in Biometry & Statistics with a growing interest in machine learning and quantitative modeling. Building from a strong statistical foundation, he is particularly interested in how data driven methods can be used to understand complex systems and extract meaningful structure from high-dimensional data. He enjoys bridging theory and application, developing analytical approaches that connect rigorous statistical reasoning with modern computational techniques. He is especially motivated to apply his quantitative training to environmental challenges, using statistical and machine learning tools to better understand the role of environmental factors in shaping ecological systems.

Gaia
Field Assistant