ESRAC Lab
Emily Cooksey
Graduate Student – Environmental Health Sciences
Emily Cooksey is a PhD student in Environmental Health Science. Her research interests involve the fate, transport, and risk associated with pathogens in food and water. Her current research is focused on prevalence, persistence, and human health risks from exposure to pathogenic Vibrio spp. in oysters. Her past projects have included work with oysters, nearshore water quality, bacteria, viruses and fecal indicators. She completed her BS in biology from Central Michigan University in 2015 and her MSPH in Environmental Health Science from Tulane University in 2018.
Fernanda Garavito
Laboratory Coordinator & Graduate Student – Public Health
Elkana Kurgat
Graduate Student – Environmental Health Sciences
elkanakurgat@email.arizona.edu
Current PhD student at The University of Arizona, MEZCOPH studying Environmental Health Sciences with a minor Epidemiology.
I was born in Kapsabet, a rural farming village in Nandi County, Kenya. I graduated with Bachelors of Science in Medical Laboratory Science from Eastern Kentucky University in 2010. While as an undergraduate at EKU, I ran cross country and track for the University, obtaining All-Conference Athlete accolades every year. Immediately following graduation, I began working for the local hospital as a Medical Laboratory Scientist.
In 2015, I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University, with a Master’s in Public Health in Environmental Health Sciences and Certificate in Industrial Hygiene. As an MPH student, I was awarded the Graduate Research Expo’s Outstanding Poster award poster entitled: Can We Get E. coli Results Faster from Fluorescence Fluorometry? Additionally, during my time as an MPH student, I was a Graduate Assistant for the undergraduate Environmental Science, Clinical microbiology, and Water Supplies and Waste Disposal.
After graduation from The University of Arizona, I plan to utilize my work in educational and research experiences to improve the health of people in rural Kenya. In my spare time, I enjoy long distance training, racing and spending time with my two daughters, ages 10 and 5.
Current Research Projects
A Novel Approach to Quantifying Climate Changes Effects on Drinking Water Quality
Santa Clarita Valley – Risk Communication Strategies of the Santa Clarita Valley Softeners Ban
Melissa K Valdez
Graduate Student – Environmental Health Sciences, Epidemiology
Amanda Marie Wilson, MS
PhD Student in Environmental Health Sciences
Amanda Wilson is a PhD student in Environmental Health Sciences, and her research involves using simulation exposure modeling to estimate the influence of human behaviors and surface cleaning interventions on health risks. She completed her BS in Environmental Sciences and her MS in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of Arizona. She was awarded Outstanding Senior of the Year from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences in 2013, was a National Science Foundation Bridge to Doctorate Fellow from Fall 2016 to Spring 2018, and was recently awarded the University of Arizona’s University Fellowship.
