![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2020/08/Kaushik-Adhikari_crop.jpg) | Kaushik Adhikari | kaushik.adhikari@wsu.edu | PhD | Markus Flury | Crop and Soil Science | Kaushik comes from the country of Nepal where more than 80% of the population is involved in farming. Growing up in an agricultural suburb motivated him to pursue further study in the Agriculture field. He completed his undergraduate study in agriculture (B.S) from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. After working as an instructor for 1½ years in Nepal, Kaushik joined the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as a graduate research assistant for master’s research focused on the fate and effects of nanoparticles in soil. Kaushik joins WSU to pursue a Doctor of Philosophy in Soil Science. He will be working under the supervision of Dr. Markus Flury studying fate and transport of micro- and nano plastics in terrestrial systems including biosolids, soils and air. |
![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2018/02/Blair_Stephanie.jpg) | Stephanie Blair | stephanie.blair@wsu.edu | PhD | Jenifer McIntyre | School of the Environment | Stephanie is pursuing her Doctorate with the School of Environment. Before coming to WSU, Stephanie received her MS from the Evergreen State College working with developing chemical and mathematical methods for quantifying hemoglobin speciation in fish blood. |
![](../wp-content/uploads/sites/402/2024/01/Nicole-Capizzi-300x375-1.jpg) | Nicole Capizzi | nicole.capizzi@wsu.edu | MS | Doug Collins | Crop and Soil Science | Nicole is a master's student working with Dr. Doug Collins in the department of Crop and Soil Science on soil carbon analysis of the sequestration benefits from seaweed application. Before Joining WSU, Nicole managed climate protocols and implementation of Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MMRV) systems for an agricultural carbon market. Previously, she led organic certification audits across the value chain for the Washington State Department of Agriculture. |
![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2023/12/Susmita-Dahal.jpg) | Susmita Dahal | susmita.dahal@wsu.edu | PhD | Anand Jayakaran / Joan Wu | Biological Systems Engineering | Susmita will be working with Ani Jayakaran to look at the placement of Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) on the landscape. She will use dynamic computational models to determine where certain types of GSI will be most effective. Dr. Joan Wu will serve as co-chair and co-advisor. Susmita comes from the beautiful country of Nepal. She likes to travel and spend time with her daughter. |
![](https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/402/2022/09/Stephanie-Eckard.jpg) | Stephanie Eckard | smeckard@wsu.edu | MS | John Stark | Ecotoxicology | |
![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2021/07/Garret-Foster.jpg) | Garrett Foster | garrett.foster1@wsu.edu | MS | Jenifer McIntyre | School of the Environment | Garrett received a BS in Environmental Health and a BA in Biochemistry from the University of Washington, Seattle in June 2021. He studies the toxicology of 6PPD-quinone in coho salmon under varied water conditions. |
![](https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/402/2024/06/Nathan-Ivy_375x300.jpg) | Nathan Ivy | nathan.ivy@wsu.edu | MS | Jenifer McIntyre | School of the Environment | Nathan is pursuing an MS degree in the School of the Environment. His research will focus on quantifying health impact on juvenile salmonids from exposure to stormwater chemicals in roadway-impacted streams. |
![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2023/01/Khanal-Prabesh.jpg) | Prabesh Khanal | prabesh.khanal@wsu.edu | MS | Joan Wu | Biological Systems Engineering | Prabesh is a MS student working with Dr. Joan Wu in the department of Biological Systems Engineering. Prabesh has completed his Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering from Tribhuvan University in Nepal. Before Joining WSU, he had worked as a Government Engineer in the Department of Water Resources and Irrigation, Nepal since 2017. |
![](https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/402/2022/09/Caitlin-Lawrence.jpg) | Caitlin Lawrence | caitlin.lawrence@wsu.edu | MS | Jenifer McIntyre | School of the Environment | Caitlin is a MS student studying with Dr. Jenifer McIntyre. Her research is focused on anti-ozonants for aquatic organisms. |
![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2017/01/Leonard_Ben.jpg) | Ben Leonard | ben.leonard@wsu.edu | PhD | John Stark | Environmental Studies | Ben is pursuing his Doctorate with the School of Environment. Before enrolling at WSU, Ben studied limnology, ecology, statistics and chemistry at the University of British Columbia and Evergreen State College. His research interests include stormwater management, permeable pavement design, and anything fish related. When he’s not working you can find Ben biking, repairing vintage audio equipment, or hanging out with his dog. |
![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2024/08/Anastacia-McConachie_300x375.jpg) | Anastacia (Ania) McConachie | a.mcconachie@wsu.edu | MS | Jenifer McIntyre | School of the Environment | Anastasia (Ania) received her BS in Cell Biology from Seattle University. She will be conducting research into the toxicity of tire chemicals for aquatic animals and safer alternatives to the antiozonant 6PPD. |
![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2023/01/Pavord-Lillian.jpg) | Lillian Pavord | lillian.pavord@wsu.edu | MS | Jenifer McIntyre | School of the Environment | Lillian is a Masters student working with Dr. Jen McIntyre to determine the effects rodenticide chemicals have on salmon species, and investigating the effects these chemicals have on aquatic invertebrates to inform us about the effects on the food web as well. She enjoys hiking and looks forward to visiting some of the nearby national parks. Lillian is originally from the east coast and sometimes it feels like a different planet, but she has loved her time here and is excited to explore all that Washington has to offer! |
![](https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/402/2024/08/Nandini-Premkumar2.jpg) | Nandini Premkumar | nandini.premkumar@wsu.edu | PhD | Anand Jayakaran | School of the Environment | Nandini grew up in India and earned a master's in Botany from Bangalore University. Nandini will work on bioretention plants with and without compost additives and other plant-related questions that stormwater management struggles with. She enjoys macrophotography, creating pencil sketches, trekking, and spending quality time with her daughter in her free time. She says – “These activities not only bring me joy but also help me stay connected with nature and my creative side.” |
![](https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/402/2022/10/Velasquez-Alejandra.jpg) | Alejandra Velasquez | m.angaritavelasquez@wsu.edu | MS | Anand Jayakaran | Biological Systems Engineering | Alejandra grew up in Colombia and has a bachelor’s in Agricultural Engineering. She has previously worked as a technician with Drs. Jayakaran and McIntyre. She will support a research project that examines the aquatic habitat provided by stormwater ponds and the socioeconomic demographics around stormwater ponds in five western Washington counties. In her free time, Alejandra likes to hike, bake, garden, and dance Salsa. |
![](https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/402/2023/08/Xueyu-Zhou.jpg) | Xueyu Zhou | xueyu.zhou@wsu.edu | PhD | Markus Flury | Crop and Soil Science | Xueyu Zhou is a PhD student working with Dr. Markus Flury to identify the fundamental mechanisms involved in transport of micro- and nanoplastics in unsaturated porous media and soils. She will also work on fate and transport of biodegradable plastic mulch films used in agriculture. She has completed four years of undergraduate study and two years of master's study in the field of Soil Science, which provided her a systematic and comprehensive foundation for her PhD program. Also, she has prepared herself well for further study and research in WSU. She comes from China which has a very historical culture, and she is all ready to experience the different culture here in the U.S. |