WaterCube Leadership
Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs)
- Stephen Gasteyer, Sociology - gasteyer@msu.edu
- Phanikumar Mantha, Civil & Environmental Engineering - phani@msu.edu
- Joan Rose, Fisheries & Wildlife - rosejo@msu.edu
- Pang-Ning Tan, Computer Science & Engineering - ptan@msu.edu
- Jennifer Carrera, Sociology - jcarrera@msu.edu
- Yadu Pokhrel, Civil & Environmental Engineering - ypokhrel@msu.edu
- Michael Wagner, Fisheries & Wildlife - mwagner@msu.edu
Faculty Trainers
- Steven Thomas
- Michael O'Rourke
- Robert Pennock
- Juliane Blazevski
- Amber Pearson
- Elena Litchman
- Courtney Carignan
- Jiayu Zhou
- Jiliang Tang
- Hayder Radha
- Ashton Shortridge
- Wei Zhang
- Lifeng Luo
- Bruno Basso
- Sandra Marquart-Pyatt
- Amirpouyan Nejadhashemi
- Jade Mitchell
- Parisa Kordjamshidi
- Chet McLeskey
Trainees
Jay Revolinsky – Flexible AI Systems
Jay Revolinsky is a PhD student in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. He joined the WaterCube NRT Fellowship Program in 2024 and works with Professor Jiliang Tang in the Data Science and Engineering Lab.
Kate Wernicke – Drinking Water Quality and Risk Assessment
Kate Wernicke is a dual PhD student in the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering and Environmental Science and Policy. She joined the WaterCube NRT Fellowship Program in 2024 after working for three years in Professor Jade Mitchell’s lab.
David Creamer – Fish passage and aquatic invasive species
David Creamer is a PhD student in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. He joined the first cohort of the WaterCube NRT in 2024, following encouragement from his advisor, Associate Professor Michael Wagner.
Kieron Moller – Agricultural Resilience
Kieron Moller received his PhD in December 2025 from the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. His research focuses on improving agricultural resilience in low- and middle-income countries, using Senegal as a case study.
Leo Baldiga – Water Management and Agricultural Technology
Leo Baldiga is a PhD student in the Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences. His research bridges social science, water management, and emerging agricultural technologies, with a focus on Southeast Asia.
Katherine McCullen – Phytoremediation Using Duckweed
Katherine McCullen is a PhD student in the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. Her research involves the use of duckweed, an aquatic plant, as a phytoremediator, removing contaminants from the environment.
Marinna Guzy – Great Lakes Fisheries and Indigenous Knowledge
Marinna Guzy is a PhD student in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife with a dual major in Environmental Science and Policy. One aspect of her research focuses on building relationships with the Bay Mills Indian Community.
Autumn Bland – Water Access
Autumn Bland is a PhD student in the Department of Sociology. Her research examines household and individual water access, including access to plumbing and basic water infrastructure.
Rui Li – PFAS in Agriculture
Rui Li is a PhD student in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences. Her research uses machine learning to study soil and crop systems.
Angelique Willis – Drinking Water Quality and Public Health
Angelique Willis is a dual PhD student in Geography and Environmental Science and Policy. Her research centers drinking water quality and public health outcomes, with a specific focus on environmental justice and underserved communities.
Greg Rouland – Wastewater and Soil Management
Greg Rouland is a PhD student in the Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering. Using a machine called the tTEM, he collects data on soil resistivity across fields, which helps to determine where wastewater can be applied most effectively.
Andrew Chesang – Precision Agriculture
Andrew Chesang is a PhD student in the Department of Biosystems & Agriculture Engineering. His research uses robots, 3D imaging, and in-field sensors to help farmers manage their apple orchards throughout the year.