ENTX Alumni List
Alumni Profiles
Name | Degree | Graduated | Current Position (if Known) |
Naveen Kumar | Ph.D. | 2019 | Postdoc, Texas Tech University |
Cassandra Schmitt | M.S. | 2019 | |
Kendall Blanchard | M.S. | 2019 | |
Yu-Wei Chang | Ph.D. | 2019 | PostDoc, Ivy Brain Tumor Center |
Lucy Lim | Ph.D. | 2019 | |
Audrey Martinez | M.S. | 2019 | Microbiologist, Abbott - Neuromodulation Division |
Katy Shaw | Ph.D. | 2019 | PostDoc, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) |
Michelle McManus | Ph.D. | 2018 | Research scientist, TTU Health Science Center |
Kelsey Thompson | Ph.D. | 2018 | Postdoc, Harvard School of Public Health |
Juliette Jordan | Ph.D. | 2018 | Postdoc, North Carolina State University |
Zhongwei Liu | Ph.D. | 2018 | Research Associate, West Virgina University |
Brittanie Dabney | M.S. | 2018 | Ph.D. Student, Wayne State University |
Steve Peper | Ph.D. | 2018 | Postdoc, Texas Tech University |
Carmen (Kautz) Emborski | Ph.D. | 2018 | University of Maryland University College Europe |
Ryan Cleary | M.S. | 2018 | Michigan Public Health Institute |
Eric Peterson | M.S./Ph.D. | 2018/? | Ph.D. Student, Texas Tech University |
Kia Hayes | M.S. | 2018 | NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center |
Will Thompson | M.S. | 2018 | Ph.D. Student, University of Georgia |
Katelyn Haydett | M.S. | 2018 | DVM Student, Michigan State University |
Darryll Oliver | M.S. | 2018 | Researcher/Lab Technician at TTU Health Science Center |
Hannah Greenberg | M.S. | 2018 | Ph.D. Student, Penn State University |
Shanoy Anderson | Ph.D. | 2018 | SES Civil and Environmental LLC (SCE) |
Alex Wilson-Fallon | M.S. | 2018 | Jacobs Engineering Group (CH2M Hill) |
Mary (Hayden) Looney | Ph.D. | 2017 | Research Expedition Coordinator, Pangaea Exploration |
Jessica (Mauricio) Price | M.S. | 2017 | Texas Department of State Health Services |
Amanda French | Ph.D. | 2017 | Research Fellow, University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand |
Steve Lasee | M.S./Ph.D. | 2017/? | Ph.D. Student, Texas Tech University |
RP Oates | Ph.D. | 2017 | Rhodium Scientific |
Melissa Sandoz | M.S. | 2017 | Environmental Resources Management (ERM) |
Adric Olson | Ph.D. | 2017 | BASF |
Jeremy Wilkinson | Ph.D. | 2017 | Harvard School of Public Health |
Logeswari Ponnusamy | Ph.D. | 2017 | Zoetis, Inc. |
Courtney (Alexander) Norton | M.S. | 2017 | Hydrite |
Kim Wooten | M.S./Ph.D. | 2012/2017 | Washington Department of Ecology |
Jacob Carrick | M.S. | 2016 | Michigan Department of Health and Human Services |
Meghan Cromie | Ph.D. | 2016 | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) |
Dan Dawson | Ph.D. | 2016 | North Carolina State University |
Nick Dunham | Ph.D. | 2016 | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
Bryan Hettick | M.S. | 2016 | Ph.D. Student, Baylor University |
Jordan Hunter | Ph.D. | 2016 | Analytik Jena-U.S. |
Amanda Cano | Ph.D. | 2016 | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) |
Evy Reategui-Zirena | Ph.D. | 2016 | Texas Department of State Health Services |
Neha Sawant | M.S. | 2016 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center |
Thomas Bilbo | M.S. | 2015 | Ph.D. Student, Clemson University |
Rebecca (Cochran) Wilkinson | M.S. | 2015 | Simmons College |
Bridgette Fidder | M.S. | 2015 | John G. Shedd Aquarium |
Kristina Kohl | M.S. | 2015 | Terracon |
Heather Lanza | M.S. | 2015 | GHD |
Francis Loko | M.S. | 2015 | Ph.D. Student, Rutgers School of Public Health |
Prathap Kumar Mahalingaiah | Ph.D. | 2015 | AbbVie |
Kara (Minton) Barnett | M.S. | 2015 | San Antonio River Authority |
Sara Pappas | Ph.D. | 2015 | Method |
Donn Edwards | M.S. | 2015 | Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources |
Cait Ryan | Ph.D. | 2015 | Pivot Bio |
Jessica Oates | Ph.D. | 2015 | GENEWIZ |
Jarrett Louder | M.S. | 2015 | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) |
Sadia Almas | Ph.D. | 2014 | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center |
Brett Blackwell | Ph.D. | 2014 | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
Kayla Campasino | M.S. | 2014 | MilliporeSigma (Associate Scientist III) |
Aaron Conti | M.S. | 2014 | EnSafe |
Meghan Funkhouser | M.S. | 2014 | WISEarth Organics LLC |
Kaylyn (Germ) Koenig | Ph.D. | 2014 | Second Genome |
Anna Gibson | Ph.D. | 2014 | Metabiota |
Chuanwen Lu | Ph.D. | 2014 | HealthLabs of America |
Vinit Singh | Ph.D. | 2014 | Sontara |
Uday Taraga | Ph.D. | 2014 | Texas Tech University |
Brie Sherwin | J.D.&M.S./Ph.D. | 2001/2014 | Texas Tech School of Law |
Kristyn (Urban) Sorensen | Ph.D. | 2014 | Texas Tech University |
Sarah Webb | Ph.D. | 2014 | Arkansas State University - Newport |
Scott Weir | Ph.D. | 2014 | Queens University of Charlotte |
Morgan Willming | Ph.D. | 2014 | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare |
Shuangying Yu | Ph.D. | 2014 | Central Peidmont Community College |
Sudheer Jinka | Ph.D. | 2013 | Hollingsworth & Vose |
Stephanie Plautz | Ph.D. | 2013 | BASF |
Kevan Athanasiou | M.S. | 2013 | Metabiota |
Ife Bamgbose | M.S. | 2013 | Gradient Corporation |
Richie Erickson | M.S./Ph.D. | 2009/2013 | United States Geological Survey (USGS) |
David Kimberly | Ph.D. | 2013 | Westminster College |
Andrew McEachran | M.S. | 2013 | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
Catherine Baxter | M.S. | 2013 | |
Muralidhar Lalagiri | Ph.D. | 2013 | Suominen |
Rebecca Pezdek | M.S. | 2013 | Theratest Labs, Inc. |
Tulika Tyagi | M.S. | 2013 | Genentech |
Justin Treas | Ph.D. | 2013 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
Wenbin Zhu | M.S. | 2013 | |
Song Tang | Ph.D. | 2013 | Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention |
Samuel Hawkins | M.S. | 2012 | Self-Employed |
Lisa Westbrook | M.S. | 2012 | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) |
Jennifer Cole | M.S. | 2012 | |
Derek Faust | M.S. | 2012 | Clover Park Technical College |
Shibin Li | Ph.D. | 2012 | Syngenta |
Tamara Luna | M.S. | 2012 | Pacific EcoRisk, Inc. |
Babina Shrestha | Ph.D. | 2012 | Independent Environmental Consultant |
Jiafan Wang | Ph.D. | 2012 | Owens Corning |
Vinay Allagadda | M.S. | 2011 | Biogen |
Darcy Chase | M.S. | 2011 | Monsanto |
Nina Dacko | M.S. | 2011 | Tarrant County, Texas |
Bryson Finch | M.S. | 2011 | Compliance Services International |
Nikitha Gutha | M.S. | 2011 | American Airlines |
Anna Hoffarth | M.S. | 2011 | Rifcon GmbH |
Venkata Kolli | Ph.D. | 2011 | Toxikon |
Les McDaniel | M.S./Ph.D. | 2008/2011 | Terracon |
Rasesh Shah | Ph.D. | 2011 | Cipla |
Dawn Slekis | M.S. | 2011 | Ryan Environmental LLC |
Guangqiu Qin | Ph.D. | 2011 | Guangxi Center of Disease Prevention & Control |
Sandy Bauman | M.S. | 2011 | University of North Texas Health Sciences Center |
Junling Zhang | M.S. | 2011 | PPG Industries |
Greg Zychowski | M.S. | 2011 | Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) |
Raga Avanasi | M.S. | 2010 | Syngenta |
Kathryn Higbee | M.S. | 2010 | Brausch Environmental, LLC |
Lixia Chen | Ph.D. | 2010 | Ally Clinical Diagnostics |
Roland Esheit | Ph.D. | 2010 | Sustainable Energy Environmental and Educational Development |
Adcharee Karnjanapiboonwong | Ph.D. | 2010 | Texas Tech University |
Changxia Shao | Ph.D. | 2010 | Merck |
Christena Stephens | M.S. | 2010 | Independent Consultant |
Deborah Carr | Ph.D. | 2009 | Texas Tech University |
Cameron Gulley | J.D.&M.S. | 2009 | Abraxis Petroleum |
Monique Long | M.S. | 2009 | University of Texas at San Antonio |
Michael Abel | Ph.D. | 2009 | DOW Chemical |
John Brausch | Ph.D. | 2009 | BASF |
Rodica Gelca | Ph.D. | 2009 | |
Shawna Biggs | M.S. | 2009 | Worldwide Clinical Trials |
Arvind Purushothaman | Ph.D. | 2009 | Lydall Performance Materials |
Beibei Qi | Ph.D. | 2009 | Suncorp NZ |
Jinqiu Zhu | Ph.D. | 2009 | University of Buffalo |
Yuntian Tang | Ph.D. | 2008 | Julong Group Anhui Jilong Coal Mining Co.,Ltd |
Ben Barrus | M.S. | 2008 | U.S. Naval Hospital |
Pamela Bryer | Ph.D. | 2008 | State of Maine |
John Isanhart | M.S./Ph.D. | 2004/2008 | U.S. Department of Interior |
Norka E. Paden | Ph.D. | 2008 | Idaho Department of Environmental Quality |
Piwen Wang | Ph.D. | 2008 | Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science |
Hongmei Wu | Ph.D. | 2007 | Wenzhou Medical College |
Lindsey Jones | M.S. | 2007 | U.S. EPA |
Toby McBride | Ph.D. | 2007 | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Jennifer Anderson | Ph.D. | 2007 | DuPont Pioneer |
Blake Beall | M.S. | 2007 | Kirby Inland Marine |
Qingsong Cai | Ph.D. | 2007 | University of Georgia |
Jun Liu | M.S. | 2007 | WuXi AppTech |
Rachel Schultz | M.S. | 2007 | Cardno ChemRisk |
Xiaoping Pan | Ph.D. | 2007 | East Carolina University |
Jordan Smith | Ph.D. | 2007 | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory |
René Viñas | M.S. | 2007 | The Coca-Cola Company |
Zemin Wang | Ph.D. | 2007 | Food and Drug Administration (FDA) |
Madhavi Billam | Ph.D. | 2006 | L'Oréal |
Hongxia Guan | M.S. | 2006 | Georgia Gwinnett College |
Fujun Liu | Ph.D. | 2006 | Revlon |
Ying Liu | Ph.D. | 2006 | Washington University in St. Louis |
QQ Cheng | Ph.D. | 2006 | International Flavors and Fragrances |
Munim Hussain | Ph.D. | 2006 | MGP Ingredients, Inc. |
Min Lian | Ph.D. | 2006 | Washington University in St. Louis |
Sandeep Mukhi | Ph.D. | 2006 | Givaudan |
Utkarsh Sata | Ph.D. | 2006 | Verizon |
Vrishali Subramanian | M.S. | 2006 | Athena Infonomics |
Louise Venne | M.S. | 2006 | AMEC |
Baohong Zhang | Ph.D. | 2006 | East Carolina University |
Carrie Bradford | M.S./Ph.D. | 2002/2005 | Texas Department of State Health Services |
Jaclyn Cañas-Carrell | Ph.D. | 2005 | Texas Tech University |
Judit Szabo | Ph.D. | 2005 | East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership |
Andrea Kirk | Ph.D. | 2005 | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
Haitao Luo | Ph.D. | 2005 | |
Craig McFarland | Ph.D. | 2005 | U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine |
Corey Radtke | Ph.D. | 2005 | Verd Company |
Bharath Ramachandran | M.S. | 2005 | Amgen (formerly Applied Molecular Genetics) |
Aaron Scott | M.S. | 2005 | Texas Department of Health |
Tara Wood | J.D.&M.S. | 2005 | Wood Law, LLC |
Eric Albers | Ph.D. | 2004 | Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. |
Jonathan Boyd | Ph.D. | 2004 | West Virginia University School of Medicine |
Emilia Cruz-Li | Ph.D. | 2004 | Universitario de la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, CURLA |
Adam Finger | M.S. | 2004 | Ph.D. Student, Texas Tech University |
Amy Hensley | M.S. | 2004 | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency |
Scott Severt | M.S. | 2004 | Stevens, Love, Hill & Holt, PLLC |
Pinar Dogru | J.D.&M.S. | 2004 | British Petroleum (BP) |
Chris McKean | M.S. | 2004 | Sandia National Laboratory |
Kevin Reynolds | Ph.D. | 2004 | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Lu Yu | M.S./Ph.D. | 2002/2004 | Phillips 66 |
Tim Capps | J.D.&M.S. | 2003 | Terracon |
Anna Herboldsheimer | M.S. | 2003 | Pollution Control Services Laboratory |
June-Woo Park | M.S. | 2003 | Korea Institute of Toxicology |
Stephanie Schmidt | M.S. | 2003 | Mass Audubon/Massasoit Community College |
Ed Scollon | Ph.D. | 2003 | Valent USA |
Randy Apodaca | M.S. | 2003 | Cordova Community Medical Center |
Thomas Rainwater | Ph.D. | 2003 | Clemson University |
Matt Schwarz | M.S. | 2003 | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Andrew Moore | M.S. | 2002 | Southwest Institute of Forensic Science |
Mindy Olivares | M.S. | 2002 | Risknomics, LLC |
Blakely Adair | Ph.D. | 2002 | The Citadel |
Lorinda Sheeler | Ph.D. | 2002 | Tennessee Department of Health |
Sarah Utley | J.D.&M.S. | 2002 | Harris County, Texas |
Angie Gentles | Ph.D. | 2001 | Texas Tech University |
Chris Pepper | J.D.&M.S. | 2001 | Winstead PC |
Daam Settachan | Ph.D. | 2001 | Chulabhorn Research Institute |
Kerry Thuett | M.S. | 2001 | Fully Fueled Fitness |
Jody Wireman | Ph.D. | 2001 | North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) |
Tim Bargar | Ph.D. | 2000 | United States Geological Survey (USGS) |
Celine Godard | Ph.D. | 2000 | Texas Tech University |
Kevin Rummel | Ph.D. | 2000 | RAI / The Radiant Group |
Phil Smith | Ph.D. | 2000 | Texas Tech University |
Sean Richards | Ph.D. | 2000 | University of Tennessee-Chattanooga |
Ted Wu | M.S. | 2000 | Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation |
Kevin Burge | M.S. | 1999 | Martin County, Florida |
Tillman Sauls | Ph.D. | 1999 | Queensborough National Bank and Trust |
Hiroshi Awata | M.S. | 1999 | CH2M Hill |
Steven Wall | Ph.D. | 1999 | Syngenta Crop Protection |
Dr. Scott Weir - 2014
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Scott Weir
Dr. Chris Salice's Lab
2014 Graduate
Graduate research:
Reptiles and dermal absorption as a route of exposure.
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
Initially, I was simply told that a job in the life sciences requires post graduate education. But as I went through graduate school I realized that I really enjoyed teaching and research and I knew I wanted to stay in academia as a career. Getting a PhD was a requirement from a job standpoint but also from a publication standpoint.
What are you doing now?
Currently doing postdoctoral research at the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (University of Georgia) but I just accepted a tenure track assistant professor position with Queens University of Charlotte.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
Absolutely. I have had significant interest in my skillset both in academia and from consulting/industry companies.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
Collaborate more! Collaboration increases potential for publications as well as exposing you to new skills and knowledge. Not all collaborations will be successful or helpful, but even that experience is important. Collaboration is very common in industry, government, and academia but many graduate students do not take the initiative to establish collaboration on their own.
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
I think I miss the freedom to perform whatever research I felt like investigating with a supportive environment (great committee) as well the facilities needed to do my research. Diverse faculty and student interests facilitated collaboration as well.
Dr. Shuangying Yu- 2014
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Shuangying Yu
Dr. Jonathan Maul's Lab
2014 Graduate
Graduate research:
The interactive effects of ultraviolet-B radiation and pesticides on amphibians.
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
To get an advanced degree as most of jobs in life science requires. I also enjoy the diversity, the freedom, and the fun that I can only get from graduate school.
What are you doing now?
I am currently working for industry as a risk assessor at Syngenta Crop Protection.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
Yes, all the basics needed for my job are covered by the classes I took at TIEHH, although I feel that an additional course (or even just a journal club) on ecological risk assessment wouldn’t be a bad idea. The one we have now is pretty general.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
I wish I would have known that I’d be so old after I finished grad school.
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
Helpful faculty (e.g. Jon, Todd), friendly (research) staff (e.g. Mike Wages, Allyson), all kinds of instruments for research and classes (GC, LC, PCR, etc.), student retreat trips, food-related activities (Christmas potluck, chili cook-off), good/bad pranks by various people.
Dr. Arvind Purushothaman - 2009
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Arvind Purushothaman
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar's Lab
2009 Graduate
Graduate research:
The moisture vapor transport of fibrous materials
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
1) Type of research the lab was doing at that time (protective clothing,
nano materials etc.)
2) Availability of funding (assistantship)
3) Low cost of living
What are you doing now?
I work for Ahlstrom as a Product Development Engineer developing nonwoven products for various filtration, life science, and medical diagnostics applications.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
Yes, I learned a lot about different chemicals and their toxicities. Also, the curriculum (and research) forced me to use statistics frequently which is helping me at work today.
Developed team building skills, learned about different cultures (countries) and many good lab practices and etiquettes.
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
The list goes on, definitely miss my friends that I made during my time there, nice and courteous staff like Kimberly, Stephanie, Ryan Bounds, Lori etc., lunch under the tree outside the building near the parking lot, TIEHH cookout (Ranch day!).
Dr. Piwen Wang - 2008
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Piwen Wang
Dr. Jia-Sheng Wang’s lab
2008 graduate
Graduate research:
The health benefits of green tea polyphenols.
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
The major advisor I worked with and the availability of financial support.
What are you doing now?
I am an Assistant Professor at the Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. I do research on cancer prevention and treatment, particularly with natural products.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
Yes it did.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
I wish I would have known an American friend to practice speaking English with.
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
I miss every single one of you and the beautiful location and sky.
Dr. Rachel Schultz - 2007
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Rachel Schultz
Dr. Steve Presley's Lab
2007 Graduate
Graduate research:
The potential environmental impact of disease vector controls.
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
The first reason I wanted to attend graduate school was because I didn’t feel like I learned enough about the environmental sciences in undergrad to attain a job in the environmental field. Then, the availability of a paid research stipend confirmed that a master’s degree was something I could accomplish, while reducing my student loan burden.
What are you doing now?
Environmental consulting.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
Yes, the curriculum and process of writing a thesis as a whole most adequately prepared me for my day-to-day job of gathering information from many sources, using existing data, and using scientific literature to make sound, science-based decisions and conclusions.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
I wish I would have known that academic science and the business of science are two completely different topics, as the business of science is driven by regulation and MONEY
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
I miss the collaborative nature of TIEHH. Students, faculty, and staff were available most any time and happy to assist with coursework, lab work, or experimental issues.
Dr. Jordan Smith - 2007
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Jordan Smith
Dr. George Cobb's Lab
2007 Graduate
Graduate research:
The toxicity of the explosive metabolite TNX to deer mice.
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
My interest in environmental toxicology stemmed from undergraduate summer internships at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). One particular project focused on monitoring DNA mutation rates of deer mice near radioactive-contaminated sites. That project stimulated my interest in toxicology and compelled me to pursue graduate education. My INL mentor, Angela Stormberg, introduced me to Corey Radtke and George Cobb at TIEHH. After talking with Dr. Cobb about the graduate program and potential projects, TIEHH seemed like a great fit to further my career.
What are you doing now?
I am a scientist in the Health Impacts and Exposure Science Group at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). My research incorporates experimental and computational methodology to investigate biokinetics and resulting biological effects of a variety of chemicals and compounds. I utilize computational models to extrapolate experimental results from the laboratory in order to predict biological fate and response in the real world.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
After graduating from Texas Tech, I started as a post doc at the PNNL. My research experience with live animals at TIEHH provided me the skillset that differentiated me from other applicants seeking that position. Additionally, skills and knowledge acquired at Texas Tech associated with analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, data analysis, and general principles of toxicology have been particularly useful and robust compared to peers in my field. I believe this is a direct reflection of the quality of curriculum and professors at TIEHH.What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
I wish I would have known that I’d be so old after I finished grad school.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
Euthanasia has nothing to do with children in China (i.e. “youth in Asia”). However, I eventually picked up that tidbit of information during my first semester…
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
I miss many of the former students, faculty, and staff at TIEHH as well as the overall collegiate atmosphere. I made a lot of lifelong friends in Lubbock, too many to list, that I still keep in touch with today. The atmosphere at TIEHH facilitated hard work and focus required for a graduate degree but still allowed for a lot fun at the same time (including Matt tailgating in his Walter Payton jersey). For me, it was a great place to transition from undergraduate life to that of a young professional.
Dr. Zemin Wang - 2007
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Zemin Wang
Dr. Jia-Sheng Wang's Lab
2014 Graduate
Graduate research:
Aflatoxins and esophageal cancer
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
As I am from China, attending a graduate school usually means more opportunities for a better job. In addition to that, I was hoping to get a higher degree in the U.S. so that I might come back to China or work in the states.
What are you doing now?
Currently I am a research scientist in academia (Indiana University School of Public Health). My research has been focused on studying the mechanisms of chemical toxicity and the modes of action of chemical carcinogenesis primarily using animals and to assess their relevance to human health risks.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
Definitely, the curriculum laid a solid foundation for me for my current position and future jobs.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
Overall I had a very good experience on my first day at TTU; I would have felt even better if somebody had given me a ride to my orientation so I would not have spent more than 2 hours walking.
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
The Ping-Pong table that used to sit in the kitchen area of the main building
Dr. Utkarsh - 2006
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Utkarsh "Kar' Sata
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar's Lab
2006 Graduate
Graduate research:
vapor filtration capacity of non-woven materials.
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
The focus & reputation of TIEHH in solving national interest problems and being a department that contributes to the most relevant topics.
What are you doing now?
I work for a technology consulting firm, Tekwisen, as a Sr. Data Analytics Consultant. I am applying and making several presentations on decision making process to various VPs and CEO's of my client companies in following industry domains:
1. E&P (Oil & Gas)
2. Semiconductors
3. Environmental
4. Construction Materials
5. Pharmacy Benefit Management (Healthcare - Human Health)
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
Yes. TIEHH curriculum combined with MIS courses, and previous courses from TAMU-Kingsville. Combination of all three is the key. It all cross-functionally combines as a very useful tool of experience.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
The positive side and impacts of journal publications - At every stage reminding the committee and advisor to publish the work, in peer reviewed journals.
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
TIEHH Annual Events/Banquets and TIEHH’s location (where parking is not a problem like in NYC, Austin, Chicago etc.).
Dr. Judit Szabo - 2005
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Judit Szabo
Dr. Mike Hooper's Lab
2005 Graduate
Graduate research:
The interactive effects of ultraviolet-B radiation and pesticides on amphibians.
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
I always wanted to do a PhD. In 1999 I met Mike Hooper and because of him I chose TIEHH.
What are you doing now?
I am the Science Officer of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership in South Korea www.eaaflyway.net. We work on conserving migratory birds and their habitats in 22 countries.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
I couldn’t find a job with avian ecotoxicology in Australia, so I left toxicology completely and worked only on birds for the last 10 years. By now I forgot pretty much everything I learned.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
“this too shall pass”
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
I miss the people I made friends with.
Dr. Sean Richards - 2000
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Sean Richards
Dr. Ron Kendall's Lab
2000 Graduate
Graduate research:
Non-target effects of chlorpyrifos to songbirds and amphibians
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
I wanted to hone my mouth-pipetting skills.
What are you doing now?
Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
To some degree, but there was a steep learning curve during my first 4 years as an Assistant Professor.
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
That the nearest liquor store was 20 miles away.
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
Besides the warm hugs from Matt Young? Playing flag football with the TIEHH GRRRRS.
Dr. Tim Barger - 2000
Graduate
Profile
Dr. Tim Bargar
Dr. George Cobb's Lab
2000 Graduate
Graduate research:
Using the chorioallantoic membrane as an indicator of exposure to organochlorine contaminants.
What influenced your decision to attend graduate school?
I felt it was necessary to pursue a career in the environmental field.
What are you doing now?
I'm a Research Ecotoxicologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Gainesville, Florida.
Did the curriculum prepare you for your next job?
Yes
What do you wish you would have known your first day of graduate school at Texas Tech?
It has been a while since my first day of graduate school, so it is tough to answer this question. If there was one thing I wish I had realized upon entering graduate school, it would have been the understanding the importance of salesmanship (i.e. networking) to be a successful research scientist.
Besides Matt Young, who or what do you miss most about TIEHH?
Who is Matt Young? I miss the graduate group. We had a lot of fun.
1207 Gilbert Drive • Box 41163 • Lubbock, Texas • Tel: 806-742-4567
Requst IT Assistance
Updated 03/01/21
The Department of Environmental Toxicology (ENTX) is the academic home for the core faculty of The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) and the Institute for Forensic Science (IFS) at Texas Tech University. TIEHH and IFS provide faculty and graduate students opportunities for multidisciplinary research and scholarly engagement related to environmental, forensic and human health sciences.