Current lab members
Sandrine Matiasek, PhD
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at California State University, Chico. I studied the impact of irrigated agriculture on organic matter cycling in surface waters during my PhD in Hydrological Sciences at the University of California, Davis. I earned a MPhil in Chemistry at the Queen's University of Belfast in Northern Ireland, UK where I investigated the regeneration process of barium-containing NOx traps at the Centre for the Theory and Application of Catalysis (CenTACat). I completed my MSc in Chemistry at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier, France.
I grew up in the French Alps and as a result love mountains and human-powered recreation, whether on foot (backpacking and trail running), on rock (climbing), on a bike, or on skis (backcountry skiing).
Sandrine’s CV is available here.
I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences at California State University, Chico. I studied the impact of irrigated agriculture on organic matter cycling in surface waters during my PhD in Hydrological Sciences at the University of California, Davis. I earned a MPhil in Chemistry at the Queen's University of Belfast in Northern Ireland, UK where I investigated the regeneration process of barium-containing NOx traps at the Centre for the Theory and Application of Catalysis (CenTACat). I completed my MSc in Chemistry at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Montpellier, France.
I grew up in the French Alps and as a result love mountains and human-powered recreation, whether on foot (backpacking and trail running), on rock (climbing), on a bike, or on skis (backcountry skiing).
Sandrine’s CV is available here.
Stacey Alexander, MS in Geoscience: Hydrology/Hydrogeology
Stacey is comparing soil amendments for their potential to improve urban runoff treatment in biofiltration systems, using long-term greenhouse experiments located at the CSU Chico Student Farm.
Stacey is comparing soil amendments for their potential to improve urban runoff treatment in biofiltration systems, using long-term greenhouse experiments located at the CSU Chico Student Farm.
Maurice Ledoyen, Honors research in Environmental Science
Maurice is assessing metal bioaccumulation in benthic macroinvertebrates collected in creeks that received storm runoff from the 2018 Camp Fire. This 3-year assessment is a collaboration with the Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory at CSU Chico.
Maurice is assessing metal bioaccumulation in benthic macroinvertebrates collected in creeks that received storm runoff from the 2018 Camp Fire. This 3-year assessment is a collaboration with the Aquatic Bioassessment Laboratory at CSU Chico.
Brooke Rosenow, MS in Environmental Science
Brooke is investigating the optical (absorbance) properties of burned materials from the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, CA.
Brooke is investigating the optical (absorbance) properties of burned materials from the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, CA.
Jonathan Schwede, MS in Environmental Science
Jonathan is monitoring flows and water quality at the BWELL bioswale to establish a water balance for the system and to assess its runoff remediation performance.
Jonathan is monitoring flows and water quality at the BWELL bioswale to establish a water balance for the system and to assess its runoff remediation performance.
Adil Syed, Honors research in Environmental Science
Adil is studying metal fate in plants of the BWELL bioswale in collaboration with previous lab member Gabrielle Wyatt.
Adil is studying metal fate in plants of the BWELL bioswale in collaboration with previous lab member Gabrielle Wyatt.
Alumni lab members
John Machado, MS in Environmental Science (Dec. 2021)
Thesis title: Metal removal by erosion control devices following the Camp Fire.
John studied the fate of trace metals in Paradise, CA after the most destructive fire in California's history (the Nov. 8, 2018 Camp Fire). He collected erosion control measures (straw wattles, compost socks) deployed immediately after the fire and used throughout the 2018-19 rainy season and characterized their metal retention, as well as metal content in sediments accumulated behind the BMPs and mobilized in local streams.
Thesis title: Metal removal by erosion control devices following the Camp Fire.
John studied the fate of trace metals in Paradise, CA after the most destructive fire in California's history (the Nov. 8, 2018 Camp Fire). He collected erosion control measures (straw wattles, compost socks) deployed immediately after the fire and used throughout the 2018-19 rainy season and characterized their metal retention, as well as metal content in sediments accumulated behind the BMPs and mobilized in local streams.
Yovvani Mojica Perez, Senior research in Environmental Science (May 2021)
Yovvani conducted a Life Cycle Assessment of the Butte College bioswale. He also assisted the research group with water sample collection and preparation for analyses.
Yovvani conducted a Life Cycle Assessment of the Butte College bioswale. He also assisted the research group with water sample collection and preparation for analyses.
Andrea Villegas-Fregoso , Senior research in Environmental Science (May 2021)
Andrea maintained a stream monitoring station in Big Chico Creek at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve to establish a baseline for water quality in the creek and a stage-discharge relationship for this location using a StreamPro ADCP.
Andrea is conducting her MSc in Hydrology at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Andrea maintained a stream monitoring station in Big Chico Creek at the Big Chico Creek Ecological Reserve to establish a baseline for water quality in the creek and a stage-discharge relationship for this location using a StreamPro ADCP.
Andrea is conducting her MSc in Hydrology at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Robert Gruenberg, MS student in Geoscience: Hydrology/Hydrogeology (2018-2020)
Thesis title: Evaluating the role of soils for nutrient and metal retention: Butte College Bioswale, CA.
Robert studied the role of soil physical properties (texture, porosity, infiltration capacity) on water treatment at BWELL. He installed an array of lysimeters in the bioswale and collected soil pore waters throughout the rainy season to characterize nutrient and metal composition of infiltrated storm runoff.
Thesis title: Evaluating the role of soils for nutrient and metal retention: Butte College Bioswale, CA.
Robert studied the role of soil physical properties (texture, porosity, infiltration capacity) on water treatment at BWELL. He installed an array of lysimeters in the bioswale and collected soil pore waters throughout the rainy season to characterize nutrient and metal composition of infiltrated storm runoff.
Nora Pizzella, Senior research in Environmental Science (May 2020)
Thesis title: Nutrient removal by novel additives in stormwater bioswales
Nora compared the nutrient removal performance of soil amendments to improve water treatment by bioswales.
Nora is conducting her Masters of City and Regional Planning at Cal. Poly. San Luis Obispo.
Thesis title: Nutrient removal by novel additives in stormwater bioswales
Nora compared the nutrient removal performance of soil amendments to improve water treatment by bioswales.
Nora is conducting her Masters of City and Regional Planning at Cal. Poly. San Luis Obispo.
Brice Vanness, Honors research in Biochemistry (May 2020)
Thesis title: Hydrocarbon analysis in urban storm runoff
Brice established a GC-MS and GC-FIC analytical method to separate and quantify Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Diesel Range Organics (DROs) in water samples. He studied the abundance and distribution of PAHs and DROs in urban storm runoff.
Brice is conducting his PhD in Chemistry at Wayne State Univeristy in Detroit, MI.
Thesis title: Hydrocarbon analysis in urban storm runoff
Brice established a GC-MS and GC-FIC analytical method to separate and quantify Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Diesel Range Organics (DROs) in water samples. He studied the abundance and distribution of PAHs and DROs in urban storm runoff.
Brice is conducting his PhD in Chemistry at Wayne State Univeristy in Detroit, MI.
Gabrielle Wyatt, Honors research in Biology (May 2020)
Thesis title: Heavy metal phytoremediation at the Butte College bioswale: a long-term study of bioaccumulation in three California native plants
Gabby monitored metal uptake by native plants in the BWELL bioswale over two years. She collected root and shoot tissues from the same individuals to study phenological variations in metal bioaccumulation of native California plants.
Gabby is conducting her PhD in Plant Biology at the University of California, Davis.
Thesis title: Heavy metal phytoremediation at the Butte College bioswale: a long-term study of bioaccumulation in three California native plants
Gabby monitored metal uptake by native plants in the BWELL bioswale over two years. She collected root and shoot tissues from the same individuals to study phenological variations in metal bioaccumulation of native California plants.
Gabby is conducting her PhD in Plant Biology at the University of California, Davis.
Sean Berriman, Senior research in Environmental Science (May 2019)
Sean monitored water height (stage) in Clear and Dry Creeks following the Camp Fire. He deployed pressure transducers in both creeks and started establishing stage-discharge relationships using a StreamPro ADCP to measure streamflow.
Sean monitored water height (stage) in Clear and Dry Creeks following the Camp Fire. He deployed pressure transducers in both creeks and started establishing stage-discharge relationships using a StreamPro ADCP to measure streamflow.
Eric Dearden, Honors research in Environmental Science (May 2019)
Thesis title: Evaluation of pollutant removal and runoff reduction of a stormwater biofiltration system
Eric monitored the performance of the BWELL bioswale for his Honors Research project. He deployed pressure transducers in weirs and flumes of the bioswale to obtain water budgets during storm events. He also collected and analyzed water samples for nutrients and heavy metals.
Eric completed his MSc in Civil Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Thesis title: Evaluation of pollutant removal and runoff reduction of a stormwater biofiltration system
Eric monitored the performance of the BWELL bioswale for his Honors Research project. He deployed pressure transducers in weirs and flumes of the bioswale to obtain water budgets during storm events. He also collected and analyzed water samples for nutrients and heavy metals.
Eric completed his MSc in Civil Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Jillian Olivar, Senior research in Environmental Science (May 2019)
Jillian monitored the water quality impacts of the Nov. 8, 2018 Camp Fire. She used UV-visible absorbance measurements to indirectly characterize the composition of dissolved organic matter in creeks affected by the fire.
Jillian monitored the water quality impacts of the Nov. 8, 2018 Camp Fire. She used UV-visible absorbance measurements to indirectly characterize the composition of dissolved organic matter in creeks affected by the fire.
Chad Faulk, undergraduate researcher in Microbiology (May 2019)
Chad studied the uptake of heavy metals by fungi (Garden Giant, Stropharia rugosoannulata) in the BWELL bioswale.
Chad studied the uptake of heavy metals by fungi (Garden Giant, Stropharia rugosoannulata) in the BWELL bioswale.
Bryn Copson, Honors research in Environmental Science (May 2018)
Thesis title: Fate of heavy metals in urban stormwater biofiltration systems
Bryn's research characterized the fate of heavy metals in plants, soil, and water of stormwater biofilters using ICP-MS analysis.
Bryn completed her MSc in Environmental Science and Policy at the University of California, Davis.
Thesis title: Fate of heavy metals in urban stormwater biofiltration systems
Bryn's research characterized the fate of heavy metals in plants, soil, and water of stormwater biofilters using ICP-MS analysis.
Bryn completed her MSc in Environmental Science and Policy at the University of California, Davis.
Amy Nguyen, Senior research in Chemistry (May 2018)
Amy worked on establishing an analytical method for petroleum hydrocarbons.
Amy worked on establishing an analytical method for petroleum hydrocarbons.
Rachel Libby, Senior research in Environmental Science (Dec. 2017)
Rachel's senior research project focused on relating hydraulic conductivity measurements to soil physical properties at various locations in the BWELL bioswale at Butte College.
Rachel completed her MSc in Environmental Science & Policy at Northern Arizona University.
Rachel's senior research project focused on relating hydraulic conductivity measurements to soil physical properties at various locations in the BWELL bioswale at Butte College.
Rachel completed her MSc in Environmental Science & Policy at Northern Arizona University.
Chandler Jarreau-Legarda, Honors research in Environmental Science (May 2017)
Chandler’s research focused on the role of media additives on the hydrologic performance of stormwater biofilters
Chandler’s research focused on the role of media additives on the hydrologic performance of stormwater biofilters
Dennis Hopelian, Microbiology major, undergraduate researcher (May 2017)
Dennis conducted stormwater sampling, E.Coli testing, and worked on setting up an analytical method for hydrocarbons in stormwater
Dennis conducted stormwater sampling, E.Coli testing, and worked on setting up an analytical method for hydrocarbons in stormwater
Chelsea Meddings, Senior research in Environmental Science (May 2017)
Chelsea studied heavy metal removal from urban stormwater by California native plants in biofiltration systems
Chelsea studied heavy metal removal from urban stormwater by California native plants in biofiltration systems
Alyssa Anenberg, Honors research in Environmental Science (May 2016)
Thesis title: Assessment of water treatment through sustainable aquaponics
Alyssa completed her Master's in Watershed Science at Colorado State University, Fort Collins in 2019. Her research focused on the effects of snow persistence on soil water nitrogen along the Colorado Front Range.
Thesis title: Assessment of water treatment through sustainable aquaponics
Alyssa completed her Master's in Watershed Science at Colorado State University, Fort Collins in 2019. Her research focused on the effects of snow persistence on soil water nitrogen along the Colorado Front Range.
Sophia Bauer, Honors research in Environmental Science (May 2016)
Thesis title: Effect of biofilter composition on nutrient removal from stormwater
Sophia completed her MSc in Water Resources Science at Oregon State University under the advisement of Dr. Alyssa Shiel. Her research focused on the temporal and spatial variability of heavy metals in stormwater, moss, and street dust in Portland, Or.
Thesis title: Effect of biofilter composition on nutrient removal from stormwater
Sophia completed her MSc in Water Resources Science at Oregon State University under the advisement of Dr. Alyssa Shiel. Her research focused on the temporal and spatial variability of heavy metals in stormwater, moss, and street dust in Portland, Or.
Harry Mills, Honors research in Chemistry (May 2016)
Thesis title: Evaluating the Removal of Aqueous Metals in Storm Runoff by Natural Media
Harry completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Thesis title: Evaluating the Removal of Aqueous Metals in Storm Runoff by Natural Media
Harry completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Peyton Steinbacher, Honors research in Environmental Science (May 2016)
Thesis title: Minimizing the effect of urbanization with the use of bioswales
Thesis title: Minimizing the effect of urbanization with the use of bioswales
Mark Triassi, Senior research in Environmental Science (May 2016)
Thesis title: Changes in physical and chemical parameters of stormwater after biofiltration
Thesis title: Changes in physical and chemical parameters of stormwater after biofiltration
Richard Vitamanti, Honors research in Environmental Science (May 2017); Master's student in Geosciences-Hydrology (2017-18)
Richard assessed the ability of media additives to remove nutrients from stormwater in biofiltration systems
Spencer Carroll, Senior research in Environmental Science (Dec. 2016)
Spencer studied the effect of media composition on the hydrologic performance of stormwater biofilters
Austin Lowrie, Environmental Science major, undergraduate researcher (Dec. 2016)
Austin conducted stormwater sampling and analysis
Jess Kolstad, M.S. in Geociences (Jun. 2016)
Jess assessed the distribution and sources of dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans) in surface soils and chicken eggs in the vicinity of Oroville, California.
Autumn Reagan, Civil Engineering major, undergraduate researcher (May 2016)
Autumn designed outreach activities on stormwater biofiltration and assisted with lab analyses of stormwater
Richard assessed the ability of media additives to remove nutrients from stormwater in biofiltration systems
Spencer Carroll, Senior research in Environmental Science (Dec. 2016)
Spencer studied the effect of media composition on the hydrologic performance of stormwater biofilters
Austin Lowrie, Environmental Science major, undergraduate researcher (Dec. 2016)
Austin conducted stormwater sampling and analysis
Jess Kolstad, M.S. in Geociences (Jun. 2016)
Jess assessed the distribution and sources of dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans) in surface soils and chicken eggs in the vicinity of Oroville, California.
Autumn Reagan, Civil Engineering major, undergraduate researcher (May 2016)
Autumn designed outreach activities on stormwater biofiltration and assisted with lab analyses of stormwater