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WaterCube - Our People

WaterCube Leadership

Xiaobo Tan

Principal Investigator (PI)

Electrical & Computer Engineering

xbtan@msu.edu

Erin Dreelin

Program Coordinator

Fisheries & Wildlife 

dreelin@msu.edu

Melissa Downs

Program Administrative Assistant

Fisheries & Wildlife

downsmel@msu.edu

Kieron Moller presenting his research.

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 in the field.

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.
Closeup of Duckweed.

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 hosts a booth at the Superior Whitefish Festival.

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 attends the Global Young Scientists Summit in Singapore.

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 attends the CANVAS science conference.

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 presents at the Fate of the Earth: Our Waters Symposium in 2025.

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 driving the tTEM unit out for a field survey.

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 with his team of researchers.

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.