Research Projects
A chronological overview of the research projects I've contributed to throughout my academic and professional journey, from vector-borne disease ecology to heat stress modeling and climate adaptation.
Current Research (2023-Present)
Gadgil Lab, UC Berkeley
Advisor: Dr. Ashok Gadgil ✉️
Developed advanced heat stress modeling frameworks to assess heat risk in India for policy applications, focusing on the extended heat index (EHI) and machine learning-based climate projections.
- ▸ Applied extended heat index (EHI) modeling to assess heat risk in India for policy-relevant applications
- ▸ Developed and tested modified extended heat index (EHI-N*) models incorporating metabolic and solar heat fluxes, implementing solver logic with Numba and NumbaMinpack
- ▸ Designed stacked ensemble machine learning models combining neural networks and random forests to generate probabilistic projections of future heat extremes across Indian districts
- ▸ Utilized Python libraries (xarray, dask, scikit-learn) for large-scale meteorological data analysis to guide adaptation strategies
- ▸ Communicated research findings to policymakers and researchers through briefings and technical memos
- ▸ Completed Bay Area NSF I-Corps project on AI-driven heat forecasts and user needs assessment
ClimaCoder Collaboration (2024-Present)
Systematic Review: Heat Stress in Latin America
Leading a comprehensive systematic review synthesizing heat stress research across Latin America. This collaborative project examines heat vulnerability, health impacts, and adaptation strategies in Central and South American communities. The work aims to identify critical knowledge gaps and inform future research priorities for climate adaptation in the region.
Graduate Research (2023)
MIT Lincoln Laboratory, Chemical & Biological Technologies Group 23
Advisor: Dr. Todd Thorsen
Conducted research on microfluidic gut models to study countermeasures to chemical and biological exposures. Co-led the Intern Innovation Idea Challenge, where I pitched fungal-based plastic-replacement biomaterials and filed a Technology Disclosure. Obtained DoD Secret Clearance (valid 5 years).
Undergraduate Research (2019-2023)
Kostas Microbial Genomics Lab, Georgia Institute of Technology
Advisor: Prof. Kostas Konstantinidis
Conducted NSF and Amazon-funded research on microplastic biodegradation using beetle-gut microbiomes and urban environmental samples. Successfully isolated candidate PTFE-degrading bacteria, contributing to our understanding of biological solutions to plastic pollution. Awarded the President's Undergraduate Research Award for this work.
Prokopec Lab of Disease Ecology, Emory University
Advisor: Prof. Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec
Investigated mosquito behavior and vector control strategies for dengue, malaria, and Zika transmission in low-income communities in West Africa and Mexico. This interdisciplinary research combined field ecology, epidemiology, and public health approaches to understand disease transmission dynamics in vulnerable populations.
Early Research Experience
UF CPET SSTP, University of Florida
Advisor: Prof. Eric McLamore
Synthesized carbon quantum dots and analyzed local water sources in Bogotá, Colombia for contamination tracking. This early research experience sparked my interest in environmental engineering and using analytical chemistry to address environmental challenges in underserved communities.