Faculty
Avner Vengosh is a Distinguished Professor of Environmental Quality at Duke University. He is currently the Chair of the Division of Earth and Climate Sciences at the Nicholas School of the Environment. Professor Vengosh and his team have studied the energy-water nexus, conducting pioneer research on the impact of hydraulic fracturing and coal ash disposal on the quantity and quality of water resources in the U.S. and China. He has also investigated the sources and mechanisms of water contamination in numerous countries across the globe. Currently, his team is engaged in studying phosphate rocks and fertilizers impact on the environment, as well the environmental effects of lithium mining and other critical raw materials. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America (GSA) and International Association of Geochemistry (IAGC). In 2019, 2020 and 2021 he was recognized as one of the Web of Science Highly Cited Researchers. He serves as an Editor of GeoHealth and on the editorial board of Environmental Science and Technology. He has published 177 scientific papers in leading international journals. His recent cross-disciplinary book “Water Quality Impacts of the Energy-Water Nexus” (Cambridge University Press, 2022) provides an integrated assessment of the different scientific and policy tools around the energy-water nexus. In 2024 he received the Geological Society of America’s Geology & Health Division Distinguished Career Award.
For communications: vengosh@duke.edu
Current Graduate Students
Sadie DiCarlo (2026 – ) Sadie received her undergraduate degree in Geology from Carleton College in Northfield, MN. At Carleton, she studied the impacts of intensive cattle pastoralism on the geochemistry of Tanzanian savannah soils. She also developed integrated inorganic geochemical sample processing methods for near-earth asteroids and Martian sample return missions at NASA’s Johnson Space Center. Post-undergrad, she spent a year in Reykjavik, Iceland on a research Fulbright studying Icelandic rootless cones as terrestrial analogues of Martian volcanic processes and indications of subsurface water. At Duke, she’s excited to study the environmental effects of mining contamination on soils and groundwater. Sadie.DiCarlo@duke.edu
Current MEM Students
Yitong “Eric” Su (2025 – ) Eric received his undergraduate degree in Molecular Biosciences and Biogeochemistry from Duke Kunshan University (DKU). At DKU, he studied how tidal riparian buffers retain and remove aquatic pollutants, including nutrients, pesticides, and cyanotoxins. While in the Vengosh Lab, he conducts interdisciplinary research on critical minerals and identifies isotopic signatures of unconventional lithium deposits for life cycle sustainability and a more transparent supply chain. yitong.su@duke.edu
Former PhD Students
Geochemistry of Phosphate Rocks and Fertilizers: Implications for Origin and Environmental Impact. Currently: Physical Scientist at the National Institute of Standards & Technology
The Aqueous Geochemistry of Lithium Deposits and Environmental Effects of Lithium Mining. Incoming: NSF Postdoctoral Fellow at Brown University
Tracing Anthropogenic Metal(loid) Contaminants in the Environment Using Geochemical, Radiogenic, and Radioactive Isotopic Tools. Currently: Research Fellow at Curtin University
Factors affecting the Occurrence of Redox-Sensitive Elements in Groundwater Systems. Currently: Assistant Professor at New Mexico Tech
- Andrew Kondash (2014 – 2019) The Water-Energy Nexus of Hydraulic Fracturing. Currently: Research Environmental Scientist at RTI International
- Nancy Lauer (2013 – 2018) Radioactivity of Fossil Fuel Waste Products and Associated Environmental Implications. Currently: Scientist at the Duke Environmental Law and Policy Clinic
- Jennie Harkness (PhD, 2013-2017) Identifying water contamination from fossil fuel development using geochemical and isotopic fingerprints. Currently: Hydrologist at USGS CA Water Science Center
- Brittany Rose Merola (PhD, 2010-2014) Biomarkers of Exposure: Arsenic Concentrations in Keratin in Populations Exposed to Arsenic in Drinking Water. Currently: Hydrologist at USGS NJ
- Nathaniel Warner (PhD, 2009-2013) Tracing hydraulic fracturing fluids and formation brines using boron, radium, and strontium isotopes. Currently: Associate Professor, Penn State University
- Laura Ruhl (PhD, 2008-2012) The geochemistry and isotopic characterization of coal ash and its impact on the environment. Currently: Hydrologist at USGS AR Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center
- Hadas Raanan (PhD, 2005-2011). Radium isotope geochemistry as a tracer for groundwater-surface water interaction. Currently: Researcher at Mekorot LTD. Israel
- David Vinson (PhD, 2005-2011). The impact of salinity and water chemistry on radium mobilization in groundwater systems. Currently: Associate Professor, University of North Carolina in Charlotte
Former MS/MEM Students
- Hannah Wudke (MS, 2026) Currently: Conquering the Pacific Crest Trail
- Jun Hu (MEM, 2023) Currently: PhD Student at Princeton University
- Rachel Weinberg (MEM, 2021) Currently: Stormwater Consultant at Raftelis
- Meghan Nicholas-Harper (MEM, 2018) Currently: Director of Water Resources at Nuveen
- Kristen McKinley (MEM, 2018) Currently: Lead Environmental Data Scientist at ICF
Former Researchers and Visiting Students
- Paz Nativ (Researcher, 2025) Currently: Visiting Senior Lecturer at Technion-IIT
- Jiyoung Park (Researcher, 2024-2025)
- Grace Hall (Undergraduate Researcher, 2023-2025) Currently: PhD Student in GAIA Lab at Duke University
- Marija Petrović (Fulbright, 2023-2024) Currently: PhD Student at Ruđer Bošković Institute, Croatia
- Tayel El-Hasan (Fulbright, 2023-2024) Currently: Professor at Mutah University
- Tewodros Godebo (Postdoctoral Reseacher, 2010-2017) Currently: Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Louisiana State University