Current Members
Graduate Students
Li-Wen (Audrey) Wang
- Bachelors of Science in Environmental Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2019
- Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley, 2021
Audrey is a PhD candidate in Environmental Engineering, working on wastewater-based epidemiology. She is also a Designated Emphasis student in Computational and Genomic Biology. Her research focuses on genomic surveillance of human respiratory viruses and designing a bioinformatic tool for monitoring influenza reassortment events in wastewater. Audrey is passionate about waste-to-energy solutions and sustainable technologies that can improve public health and the environment. Outside of her research, she enjoys visiting coffee shops and embarking on spontaneous trips!
Allie Nguyen
- Bachelor of Environmental Engineering, University of Minnesota, 2022
- Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley, 2023
Allie is a Ph.D. student in Environmental Engineering. Her research lies at the intersection of environmental water microbiology and public health. Allie is currently involved in multiple projects. One project focuses on wastewater-based epidemiology, specifically investigating the persistence of viral nucleic acid signals in wastewater and how surfactants may affect their stability. Another project explores how sub-sewershed-level sampling can enhance efforts to improve health equity in wastewater-based surveillance. In an upcoming project, she will study the impact of blending purified direct potable reuse water with conventional drinking water directly within distribution systems, with a focus on implications for drinking water quality and safety. In her free time, she likes dancing, film photography, and going to concerts.
Camille Brulé
- Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering, 2022
- Bachelors of Science in Paper Science Engineering, 2022
- Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley, 2023
Camille graduated from NC State in 2022 with a double major in Chemical Engineering and Paper Science Engineering before pivoting to Environmental Engineering, where she is now pursuing a Ph.D. at UC Berkeley in the Nelson Lab. Her research is driven by addressing the challenge of nutrient pollution in waterways, stemming from sources such as inadequately treated waste, agricultural runoff, and pesticide use. Her current work focuses on nutrient recovery from human urine. Using ion exchange technology, she has designed and is testing a continuous four-column reactor with the goal of transforming urine into a sustainable fertilizer, an alternative to energy-intensive industrial production. Outside the lab, Camille enjoys gardening and crocheting, and she plays an active role in fostering community as Ph.D. Chair of the Environmental Engineering Advocacy Team.
Yaw Yeboah
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Purdue University, 2025
Yaw is a first-year PhD student in Environmental Engineering. He joins the Nelson Lab from Purdue University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering along with minors in French and Global Engineering Studies. His undergraduate research ranged from investigating the bioreceptivity of cementitious composites to developing a low-cost culvert blockage detection system during a semester abroad at the University of Canterbury. His international work included collaborations with underserved communities in Brazil, New Zealand, and the Dominican Republic on projects increasing access to safe water and infrastructure. These experiences, along with his upbringing in Ghana, inspired his current research interest in designing context-sensitive water and sanitation interventions that reduce the burden of disease in low-income countries. Through his Designated Emphasis in Development Engineering and with the support of the NSF Digital Transformation of Development Fellowship here at Berkeley, Yaw hopes to realize that goal. In his free time, he enjoys running, strength training, volleyball, listening to new music, and now, exploring the Bay Area.
Alma Bartholow
- Bachelors of Science in Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, 2020
- Masters of Science in Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley, 2021
Alma is a 4th year PhD student in Environmental Engineering with a focus on microbial water quality and water reuse. Alma seeks out research where engineering, policy, and public health intersect. Her current research tackles the biological stability of advanced treated wastewater in distribution systems to study a transition to direct potable reuse and examines using biological filtration for seeding. Alma has also acquired an internship at Trussell Technologies to study analytical chlorine measurements and virus inactivation for recycled waters. In her time at Berkeley, Alma has been involved in projects studying tap water stagnation and SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Before her PhD she was involved in research to assess road salt runoff impact on urban green spaces and interned at the Chicago water reclamation district. In her free time, Alma likes cooking for her co-op, playing guitar, and playing yahtzee with friends.
Soliver Ché Fusi
- Associates of science in Engineering, Prince George’s Community College, 2015
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 2018
- Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, UC Berkeley, 2019
Soliver is driven by global environmentalism, particularly by understanding how knowledge about the environment is produced, shared, and influences our relationship with it. Her research focuses on the intersection of sanitation and agriculture, utilizing biochar to recover nutrients from human urine to improve agricultural soils. Through her Designated Emphasis in Development Engineering, and her fellowships with the D-Lab and Cal’s Digital Transformations of Development, Soliver is working to establish standards for characterizing and utilizing biochar. She is developing models for predicting biochar properties using infrared spectroscopy, in collaboration with the World Agroforestry Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. Her overarching objective is to contribute to the technical understanding of sanitation and agricultural systems specifically applicable in countries like Kenya and Cameroon. Outside of her academic pursuits, Soliver explores her passion for board sports through surfing and skateboarding, while actively seeking opportunities to become an environmental educator.
Undergraduate Students
Sophia Safa
- Bachelors of Science in Bioengineering and Global Public Health and Chemical Engineering Minors, University of California, Berkeley, 2027
Zara Mehraban
- Bachelors of Science in Chemical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 2027