Alasdair Cohen
Alasdair is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Epidemiology in the Department of Population Health Sciences and the Public Health Program at Virginia Tech (VT), and also has an affiliate faculty appointment in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at VT. He earned his PhD in Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, and an MPH in Epidemiology, from the University of California, Berkeley, as well as an MSc in Water Science, Policy, & Management from the University of Oxford. In addition to applied research, he has also worked for United Nations agencies to develop water and rural poverty focused indicators and project monitoring and evaluation tools.
Marianne is a PhD student in the Biomedical & Veterinary Sciences program at Virginia Tech. She earned bachelor’s degrees in biology and mathematics from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA in 2023. She aims to incorporate a One Health approach in all of her research, considering the intersections of human, animal, and environmental health. Her hope is that her research will tackle health inequities and improve the lives of underserved populations. Outside of the lab, Marianne enjoys writing, musical theatre, fiber arts, cosplay, and spending time with her dog Gotham.
Almudena is pursuing a PhD in the Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences program at Virginia Tech. She completed her Masters of Science in Clinical Research and International Health from Universidad de Barcelona in 2021. She has worked and lived in Mozambique and Kenya, where she supported the implementation of a cluster randomized clinical trial for a novel malaria vector control tool. Her goal is to exploit her data management and spatial analysis skills to address health inequities through a One Health approach. Almudena is an avid reader who enjoys hiking and cooking.
Carly is a PhD student in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Program at Virginia Tech. She graduated with honors from Saint Louis University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She is interested in contamination patterns in well water and their health effects across the country, but with a specific focus on Central Appalachian communities. Outside of the lab, Carly enjoys running, crafty projects, cooking, and wandering around farmer’s markets. [co-advised with Dr. Landon Marston]
Milli is a master’s student in the Civil Engineering Department with a focus on water and wastewater treatment. Her interests include developing innovative methods for removing emerging contaminants and understanding the role of water chemistry in contaminant removal. She is deeply passionate about advancing technologies for water treatment and contributing to global efforts to prevent water scarcity. Originally from Ghana, Milli earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys cooking, painting, listening to music, and spending quality time with family.
Mia is a masters student in the Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Department. She is interested in learning, studying, and researching how environmental engineering and water quality can impact different communities and their health. Mia is from Milwaukee, WI and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Marquette University. Outside of school, Mia loves playing tennis and volleyball, watching gymnastics and Nat Geo specials, hiking, volunteering, and going on road trips.
Dilan is a Sophomore at Virginia Tech, and he is currently pursuing a B.S. in Biological Sciences. After completing his undergrad career, Dilan plans to continue his education by attending medical school with intentions of becoming a physician. In his free time, he likes to volunteer, rock climb, watch football, and spend time outdoors.
Andre Asarian is a senior cadet working towards a BS in Public Health and BA in Political Science at Virginia Tech. His research interests range from rural water supply and its effects on one’s lifestyle to bottled water’s impact on these individuals. He has future medical school goals and is working towards a career in Emergency and Trauma Medicine. While attending VT, Andre spends his time outside school volunteering and working as a Paramedic throughout the Roanoke and New River Valleys. He also enjoys football, basketball, and spending time with friends.
Ella is a Junior at Virginia Tech pursuing a BS in Environmental Science and a BS in Public Health. She plans to obtain her MPH after she graduates, and is specifically interested in epidemiology and environmental health. She is passionate about understanding inter-human and human-environmental interactions and working to create healthier communities. She enjoys spending her free time hiking, reading, and hanging out with friends.
Ky is an undergraduate student in Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry. He is interested in exploring sustainable water management strategies and its implementation across various communities. Ky hopes to continue doing research after graduation but has plans on pursuing a career in medicine. He spends his free time hanging out with friends, traveling, and staying active.
Amanda completed her Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech in 2020. Her research interests include drinking water quality and treatment methods. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for her Bachelor’s degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering. In her free time, Amanda enjoys traveling and volunteering with organizations promoting community access to safe drinking water. [last updated 2020]
Brooke is a student in the accelerated Master of Public Health program at Virginia Tech, with a concentration in Infectious Diseases. Brooke is from Fluvanna, VA, and completed her BS in Public Health and minor in Medicine and Society at Virginia Tech in 2024. Her academic interests include water quality and environmental health, and she wishes to pursue a career in these interests. Brooke enjoys reading, being active, and watching sports in her spare time [last updated 2025].
Hannah was a Ph.D. student in Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) and a simultaneous M.P.H. student at Virginia Tech. She is a certified Engineer in Training (EIT) and has a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from Saint Francis University and an M.S. in BSE from Virginia Tech. Hannah’s PhD research was centered on drinking water quality and accessibility in Central Appalachia. In her free time Hannah likes to trail run, mountain bike, camp, ski, and snuggle her rescue dog Olive. Hannah graduated with her Ph.D. in 2023. [last updated 2023]
Victor is a student in the Master of Public Health program at Virginia Tech, with a concentration in Infectious Diseases. Victor is from Trenton, NJ, and completed his BS in Biology at Rowan University in 2021. His academic interests include wildlife biology, environmental science, and paleobiology. In his spare time, Victor enjoys playing and watching soccer, going on long walks, reading, and watching documentaries. He has previously worked as a veterinary assistant, and plans to continue working in a healthcare setting in the future [last updated 2025].
Gemma is an MD student at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine in Roanoke, VA. She earned a BA in Geosciences and Pre-medical studies from Williams College and an MSc in Biomedical Research from Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona. Prior to starting medical school, Gemma worked at the Research Insitute for a Sustainable Environment in Cairo, Egypt where she focused on safe water access and food security in rural communities. Her current research centers on drinking water quality and adverse health outcomes in Appalachia. In her free time, Gemma enjoys hiking, camping and reading [last updated 2025].
Yabi Bereket was a Senior at Virginia Tech working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health, with a double minor in International Public Policy and Data & Decisions. Following the completion of her undergraduate studies, she plans to further her education by pursuing a Master’s degree, with a focus on exploring opportunities that allow her to combine her areas of interest, including global health and data analysis. She enjoys utilizing these interests for the purpose of understanding and improving health and overall quality of life outcomes for different global communities. Yabi graduated from Virginia Tech in 2023. [last updated 2023]
Jingyi graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2020 with double majors in Applied Mathematics and Economics. Jingyi currently works at the San Francisco office of Cornerstone Research. In her spare time, she also serves as a technical consultant for Delta Analytics to help their partner non-profits drive impact through statistical and machine learning analysis. [last updated 2020]
Arpita Das was pursuing a B.S. in Public Health. She has worked at the Carey Lab since her freshman year focusing on understanding freshwater ecosystems while working specifically with Beaverdam and Falling Creek Reservoirs. She also worked at the Cohen Lab helping with a project focused on water bottle quality. Arpita is interested in pursuing an MPH in Epidemiology after graduating from Virginia Tech. [last updated 2023]
Madeline was a senior studying Civil & Environmental Engineering at Virginia Tech. After graduating, she plans to continue her education at Virginia Tech as a MS student in Environmental Engineering. Her research interests include drinking water treatment methods and their effects on public health. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, and puzzles. Madeline graduated in 2023 and is current a graduate student at Virginia Tech. [last updated 2023]
Rachel graduated in the spring of 2022 from University of Virginia’s College at Wise earning her BS in Environmental Science with a focus on Geology. She has a passion for water quality monitoring, management, and equity especially in karst areas, and has participated in several research opportunities in Appalachia, mainly in Southwest Virginia. Apart from assisting in, and conducting her own, research, she enjoys volunteering for several outdoor projects, including the Clinch Water Watch Citizen Science Project and environmental cleanups on Natural Area Preserves along the Virginia Cave and Karst Trail. When she’s not in the field, in class, or in the lab, she can be found playing Dungeons and Dragons or reading a book. [last updated 2022]
Yalu studied Civil Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley as an undergraduate. She is currently a masters student at UC Berkeley, studying in Civil Engineering in the ECIC program (energy, civil infrastructure and climate). Her research interests are renewable energies and electric vehicles. In her free time, she enjoys stargazing, kayaking and cooking. [last updated 2020]
Jackie graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.S. in Statistics. She is interested in multiple areas of data analytics, statistics and computational finance. Jackie is currently working for Abbott Laboratories in their Finance Professional Development Program and plans to pursue graduate studies in the future. [last updated 2020]
Ethan studied Molecular Environmental Biology at the University of California, Berkeley and focused his major on key relationships between the environment and human health. He grew up in Davis, CA, and wants to make a difference in environmental justice issues related to drinking water in the California Central Valley. [last updated 2020]
Jess earned undergraduate degrees in Statistics and Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. Working with the Cohen Research Group she enjoyed using her data analytics skills in various research groups, including but not limited to bottled water contamination and unemployment rate fluctuation prediction. She is also a performer doing both ballet and modern dance. [last updated 2023]
Alvaro is a senior at Virginia Tech, and he is currently pursuing his B.S. in public health. After completing his bachelors, he plans to obtain his MPH in epidemiology and biostatistics. Alvaro’s research interests include infectious diseases, water quality, rural health, and mental health. He plans to work in disease research in the future and keeping our society healthier. He enjoys to hike, exercise, watch football, watch movies, watch TV shows, and cooking [last updated 2025].
Sydney is a senior at Virginia Tech pursuing a BS in public health with a minor in chemistry. She will begin as a Chemistry PhD student at the University of Virginia in the Fall of 2025, and is interested in studying Chemical Biology to investigate how chemicals affect humans and our environment at a molecular level. She likes to spend her free time playing and coaching volleyball, reading and writing fiction, and hanging out with her friends [last updated 2025].
Pragya is a senior double majoring in Mathematics and Economics at Hollins University in VA. She enjoys working with data to analyze real-world problems. Her research interest lies in the interdisciplinary fields of Public Policy, Gender, and Development Economics. During her spare time she enjoys reading and listening to music. [last updated 2021]
Breanna studied Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise; Public Health; and Chemistry at Virginia Tech. She enjoyed working on Appalachian water quality research, as it provided an opportunity to interact with rural communities and serve the individuals within. In her free time, Breanna enjoys weightlifting, archery, kayaking, and hiking. Breanna graduated from Virginia Tech in 2023 and is currently attending medical school to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.). [last updated 2023]
Josh was an undergraduate student studying biochemistry and history at the University of Virginia (UVA) at Wise. His research interests range from organometallic ruthenium cage complexes to drinking water contamination and public health in the Appalachian region. In his free time, Josh enjoys hiking, kayaking, and volunteering with medical clinics. Josh graduated in 2023. [last updated 2023]
Nicole Odibo is a senior at Virginia Tech pursuing a BS in public health. She will begin as an MPH student at Columbia University in the Fall of 2025. Passionate about promoting health equity, she is driven to make a positive impact in underserved communities. She has a particular interest in water contamination and its effects on marginalized populations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the beach, scrapbooking, creating pottery, and making vlogs to capture and share moments from her life [last updated 2025].