![]() ![]() These research experiences and her passion to find solutions to provide safe water in developing countries led her to pursue a Ph.D. student, Karina was part of the Fundacion Cantaro Azul’s impact evaluation study that assessed the efficacy of rural drinking water systems in Mexico. As an undergrad, she worked in research projects that integrated field and laboratory approaches to understand the environmental fate and transport of microbial pollution (in LA coastal creeks and abroad). PATH: Karina’s interest in access to safe water and sanitation stems from growing up in Guatemala and experiencing firsthand the risks associated with poor drinking water quality and lack of proper sanitation. in Environmental Engineering with minors in Microbiology and Public Health. in Environmental Engineering at UC Berkeley. in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California Los Angeles and her M.S. She is interested in understanding microbial ecosystems in water infrastructures-drinking water and wastewater systems - in developing countries with the goal of providing information and recommendations to improve the reliability of water infrastructure and protect public and environmental health. student investigating the effects of intermittent water supply (IWS) on microbial communities in drinking water distribution systems and identifying differences in microbial water quality between of continuous and IWS systems. After her PhD she hopes to work for a governmental or an international organization. She has also volunteered with visiting immigrants detained at Dodge County Jail in Wisconsin and the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, WA. This fall she will be collaborating on a cross-departmental project using wastewater-based epidemiology to study SARS-CoV-2.ĬOMMUNITY & PERSONAL LIFE: As an undergraduate Alma advocated for empowering minorities in STEM and for sustainability projects on her campus through organizations such as the National Society of Black Engineers and Engineers for a Sustainable World. Alma is now focusing her research interests on understanding the microbial communities of our engineered water systems to address public health shortcomings. ![]() She also worked for the metropolitan water reclamation district of greater Chicago and studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain. ![]() In her undergraduate career she worked on a research project studying the impact of road salt runoff on urban greenspaces. PATH: Alma has been interested in water and sewage from a young age. at UC Berkeley with support from a CEE departmental fellowship. in environmental engineering from Northwestern University. Alma is a second year PhD student studying microbial communities in water systems. ![]()
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