Resume

• 2010

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  Civil and Environmental Engineering

  University of Rhode Island

  Innovative Subsurface Remediation

  Environmental Sustainability and Green Engineering

  Biosystems in Sanitary Engineering

  Population & Environment Change

  Environmental Hydrogeology: Fate and Transport of Contaminants in Porous Media

  Engineer In Training (E.I.T.)

  OSHA 40hour HAZWOPER

• 2006

  Hindi

  Telugu

  English

  Master of Science (M.S.)

  Civil and Environmental Engineering

  Youngstown State University

• 2001

  Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)

  Civil Engineering

  Koneru Lakshmaiah College of Engineering

• Hydrogeology

  ICP-OES

  Groundwater Remediation

  Water Resources

  Spectroscopy

  Nanotechnology

  Hazardous Waste Management

  Hydrology

  HYDRUS 1D/2D/3D

  Risk Assessment

  Storm Water Pollution Prevention

  Water Treatment

  GC-MS

  Organic Chemistry

  Hydrocarbon

  Environmental Engineering

  Stormwater Management

  Fate & Transport

  Groundwater Contamination

  ArcGIS

  Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination in Soils of San Mateo Ixtatán

  Guatemala: Occurrence

  Sources

  and Health Risk Assessment

  Exposure to high concentrations of carcinogenic pollutants in soils and sediments can result in increased health risks. Determining the levels and sources of contamination in developing communities is important for helping to reduce pollution and mitigate the risk of exposure. In the Mayan community of San Mateo Ixtatán

  Guatemala

  24 samples of topsoil from urban

  peri-urban

  and agricultural sites and six samples of river sediment were collected and analyzed for 17 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The sum of the concentrations of these PAHs at the urban and peri-urban sites ranged from 460 to 3251 μg kg−1 (mean

  1401 μg kg−1)

  whereas at agricultural sites the range was 350 to 2087 μg kg−1 (mean

  1038 μg kg−1). Analysis to identify and apportion the source showed that the PAHs emitted from wood stoves contributed 71 and 76% of the total PAHs in urban and agricultural areas soils

  respectively. The calculated incremental lifetime cancer risk due to the ingestion of soil

  dermal contact

  and dietary intake through corn consumption was greater than the acceptable level of 10−6 established by the USEPA. Our findings suggest that the residents of rural communities can be at increased cancer risk despite little or no industrial activity in the local area. Alternate domestic fuel sources should be considered to reduce the health risk in local communities.

  Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Contamination in Soils of San Mateo Ixtatán

  Guatemala: Occurrence

  Sources

  and Health Risk Assessment

  Enhanced Containment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Through Organic Modification of Soils

  Recent studies have shown that engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are incorporated into toner powder used in printing equipment and released during their use. Thus

  understanding the functional and structural composition and potential synergistic effects of this complex aerosol and released gaseous co-pollutants is critical in assessing their potential toxicological implications and risks. In this study

  toner powder and PEPs were thoroughly examined for functional and molecular composition of the organic fraction and the concentration profile of 16 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) using state of the art analytical methods. Results show significant differences in abundance of non-exchangeable organic hydrogen of toner powder and PEPs

  with a stronger aromatic spectral signature in PEPs. Changes in structural composition of PEPs are indicative of radical additions and free-radical polymerization favored by catalytic reactions

  resulting in formation of functionalized organic species. Particularly

  accumulation of aromatic carbons with strong styrene-like molecular signatures on PEPs is associated with formation of semi-volatile heavier aromatic species (i.e.

  PAHs). Further

  the transformation of low molecular weight PAHs in the toner powder to high molecular weight PAHs in PEPs was documented and quantified. This may be a result of synergistic effects from catalytic metal/metal oxide ENPs incorporated into the toner and the presence/release of semi-volatile organic species (SVOCs). The presence of known carcinogenic PAHs on PEPs raises public health concerns and warrants further toxicological assessment.

  Synergistic effects of engineered nanoparticles and organics released from laser printers using nano-enabled toners: From exposures to the emitted organic aerosol

  Laura Schifman

  Ph.D.vin

  Bacteria Removal from Stormwater Runoff Using Tree Filters: A Comparison of a Conventional and an Innovative System

  New Antimicrobially Amended Media for Improved Nonpoint Source Bacterial Pollution Treatment

  Enhancement of Surface Runoff Quality Using Modified Sorbents

  University of Rhode Island

  Youngstown State University

  Gannon University

  Wilkes University

  Research Projects:\t\n1) Fate and accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals in stormwater detention/retention ponds. Use of passive sampling technology to study the fluxes of petroleum hydrocarbons among environmental compartments within stormwater detention/retention ponds \n2) Laboratory and field testing of materials for stormwater runoff treatment in best management practices.

  University of Rhode Island

  Gannon University

  Erie

  Pennsylvania Area

  Assistant Professor

  Wilkes University

  Youngstown State University

  Strength of Materials and Surveying lecture and laboratory.

  Graduate Teaching Assistant

  Youngstown

  Ohio Area

  Storm runoff and flow routing analysis for the yellow creek watershed. Evaluated effect of reservoirs and urbanization on peak flows during storm events. Created a data base for water quality parameters of over 50 years for Yellow Creek watershed and generated reports.

  Research Assistant

  Youngstown

  Ohio Area

  Youngstown State University

  Kingston

  RI

  Doctoral Research Assistant

  University of Rhode Island

  Environmental Engineering

  Water and Wastewater Transport Systems

  Environmental Sustainability & Green Energy

  Environmental Engineering Lab

  and Hydraulics Engineering lab.

  University of Rhode Island