His presentation highlighted the major contributing threats to the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) crisis in the state, the growing challenges posed by these chemicals in our water systems, and out-of-the-box mitigative approaches. Odera’s talk left water professionals inspired and earned him recognition from the conference judging panel with the second-best presenter award, placing him among the top presenters at one of New Jersey’s premier water industry gatherings.

We are proud of this achievement and look forward to your continued contributions to the field.

The ERI scholarship is awarded annually to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student whose academic focus aligns with the mission of ERI in areas such as civil and environmental engineering, GIS, land use planning, and related fields. Scholarship winner is chosen through a competitive screening process that considers recommendation letters, a written essay, and academic performance.

Using complex geophysical analysis, machine learning and environmental risk assessment models, Shahnul’s study focuses on assessing the ecological and human health concerns associated with the toxicity of environmental heavy metals. His efforts enhance the stability and health of the urban environment.

The Scholarship Committee, Principals and Partners of Environmental Resolutions, Inc., had the opportunity to learn about Shahnul’s research and career goals at the formal award ceremony held at the ERI offices in South Jersey in August.

Dr. Yang Deng conducting a field study at a Hurricane Fiona-affected water system in a Puerto Rico’s mountainous village.

In 2017, Hurricane Maria, a devastating Category 4 storm, triggered a severe water crisis in Puerto Rico, where Dr. Deng served as a faculty member for three years. The widespread loss of access to clean water drove him to develop innovative, low-cost household water treatment technologies for hurricane-affected populations. These simple yet effective treatments provide promising off-grid water supply solutions, even during prolonged outages caused by storm damage to water supply infrastructure and power systems. His research was later recognized with the Superior Achievement Award by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) in 2019 for its impact on disaster resilience. Building on this work, Dr. Deng further refined the design principles for sustainable household water treatment systems, ensuring their effectiveness in both daily use and emergency situations. In recognition of these advancements, he was honored with the Project Innovation Award (Gold Winner) by the International Water Association (IWA) in 2022.

Through two National Science Foundation (NSF)-supported projects, Dr. Deng has expanded his research to investigate the resilience of water supply infrastructure in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona (2022) and in Florida after the recent Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024). In collaboration with Dr. Walter Silva at the University of Puerto Rico, his team has employed field-based approaches to collect critical, perishable data, particularly from isolated, small, and disaster-affected communities. Dr. Deng and his student, Lisitai Yang, also introduced an innovative approach to water supply, exploring the use of alternative sources such as stormwater harvesting to support small island residents with limited resources. Their concept was later validated through mathematical modeling, which estimated the feasibility of harvested stormwater in meeting local water demand, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable water solution.

Dr. Deng’s research is shaping the future of hurricane-resilient water supply systems. Through technological innovations, field studies, and strategic partnerships, his work helps communities not only recover but also adapt and thrive in an era of increasing disaster uncertainty.

Requirements for Anchor QEA Scholarship

• An inclusive mindset and the belief that everyone’s unique perspective deserves to be heard
• A commitment to giving back to their community and the environment
• Full-time student status (current or soon-to-be) at a school in the United States
• A demonstrated financial need
• A passion for engineering, environmental sciences, planning and restoration, technology and innovation, or a related technical field

Odera’s captivating presentation on the statewide occurrence and spatial distribution of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in New Jersey groundwater systems under the supervision of Dr. Duke Ophori left a lasting impression on the judges and his fellow participants. Odera is diligently pursuing cutting-edge research on the silent invasion of PFAS into groundwater systems. His work is driven by a passion for developing sustainable solutions to the challenges posed by PFAS in New Jersey ground- and drinking water systems. The recognition bestowed upon him by the NJWEA is a testament to his exceptional abilities as a researcher and his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact in the field of water resources management.

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If we don’t do something soon, it’s going to be that much harder to overcome and it’s going to lead to severe and consequential events.

Cepin’s research looks at how plants and vegetation are changing today compared to a long ago extreme climate event, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a geologic period of intense global warming. To analyze pollen from that period she removes minerals like carbonates and silicates from ancient rocks using a series of chemical reactions.

“Analyzing the pollen samples will allow me to understand how plants and vegetation responded to the PETM event and compare it to how plants are changing in response to the current climate crisis,” explains Cepin, a senior Earth and Environmental Science major mentored by Assistant Professor Ying Cui.

Cepin’s research is among nearly 40 projects underway this summer conducted by Montclair undergraduate students. The student researchers are tackling some of the world’s toughest scientific and engineering challenges, everything from finding a cure for malaria to building technology for classrooms and protecting swimmers from jellyfish in the coastal bays of New Jersey.

Read more about the research Emily and others are doing this summer!

Under the guidance of Professor Yang Deng (Department of Earth and Environmental Studies), Qiufeng is actively engaged in exploring innovative water reuse technologies. Her research primarily focuses on enhancing the sustainability and resilience of water supply systems in response to climate change. Her work contributes to advancing water management practices, addressing critical issues in the environmental field, and promoting a more sustainable water future.

Hermann Bermúdez will present evidence of this “mega-earthquake” at the upcoming GSA Connects meeting in Denver this Sunday, 9 October through the presentation, The Chicxulub Mega-Earthquake: Evidence from Colombia, Mexico, and the United States. Earlier this year, with support from a GSA Graduate Student Research Grant, Bermúdez visited outcrops of the infamous Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction event boundary in Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi to collect data, supplementing his previous work in Colombia and Mexico documenting evidence of the catastrophic impact.

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