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
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 third-year 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 doctoral 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 second-year 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 doctoral 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.