​Kerri Hickenbottom​

Principal Investigator

Kerri Hickenbottom is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona. She completed her B.S. degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Science and Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. Dr. Hickenbottom has worked on novel membrane processes for over ten years with specialty in forward osmosis, pressure retarded osmosis, and membrane distillation. Her research focuses on investigating the technical, environmental, and economic potential of novel, engineered systems for resource recovery and reclamation of waste streams. Her research projects include investigating a hybrid, membrane-based process for energy generation from low-grade heat, hybrid membrane systems for solar desalination, management of concentrate streams for zero-liquid discharge, and novel approaches and devices for fortification and hydration of nutritional systems. She enjoys taking her research outside of the laboratory by presenting at professional conferences and participating in K-12 outreach initiatives.

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Leila Karimi

Research Scientist

Dr. Leila Karimi joined HER Lab as a postdoctoral research associate in Feb. 2019. She is from Iran, Mianeh, a historical city in the northwest of Iran. She came to the US to pursue her studies as a Ph.D. student at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 2011. Leila received her Ph.D. degree in the Department of Chemical & Materials Engineering at NMSU. Her main research is focused on advanced water treatment and reuse, renewable energy integration with water treatment processes, techno-economic analysis, and water and energy nexus in cloud infrastructures. She likes to read, listen to music, watch movies, and make art with her little girl for fun. ​

​Funded by: Salt River Project

Varinia Felix

PhD student (Co-advised with Dr. Andrea Achilli)

 Varinia Felix is a Ph.D. student in the Chemical and Environmental Engineering department under the Environmental Engineering Program. Originally from Sinaloa, Mexico, she obtained a  Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. Her main interests are water treatment technologies and multidisciplinary collaborative projects. Currently, her research focuses on Techno-Economic and Life Cycle Assessments of Reverse Osmosis Concentrate Management Systems as well as performing EMM and ICP test procedures. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and, when possible, traveling.

​Funded by: Carson Scholars Program and Bureau of Reclamation agreement no. R18AC00115

Mikah Inkawhich

PhD student (Co-advised with Dr. Dominic Bocelli)

Mikah Inkawhich is pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and  a PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of Arizona. Mikah is from Utica, New York and obtained a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Vermont. Her current research focuses on the integration of a pilot-scale solar driven membrane distillation  system, and the scalability of laboratory experiments to pilot scale operations. In her free time she enjoys camping, hanging out with dogs, and traveling.
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Funded by: GAANN Fellowship and RAPID Project # 08.10

Luke Presson

PhD student (Co-advised with Dr. Andrea Achilli)

Luke Presson is pursuing a PhD in Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona. He grew up in Asheville, NC and graduated from Centre College in Danville, KY with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. Luke worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 4 years before returning to school. His experience in industry focused on quality control and bioanalytical chemistry, and he plans to bring analytical chemistry techniques to bear on research regarding water treatment and water quality. In his spare time Luke enjoys playing with his dog, cooking healthy meals, and reading about everything from magical worlds to political memoirs.

​Funded by: Bureau of Reclamation agreement no. R18AC00115

Jeb Shingler

MS Student



​Funded by: RAPID Project # 08.10

Arianna Tariqi
​PhD Student

Arianna Quinn Tariqi graduated from the University of California, Merced with a Bachelors in Environmental Engineering. She is a PhD student in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona and is co-advised by Dr. Hickenbottom and Dr. Karanikola. Her previous work focused on a geospatial analysis of health and nitrate contamination in drinking water wells within California. She is a part of the fourth cohort of the Indige-FEWSS program on campus and is eager to implement her new-found knowledge and her previous expertise into her future work with novel sustainable drinking water systems. In her free time, she loves to play tennis, serve her community, and learn how to upcycle old clothes into new, sustainable fashion.
​Funded by: Bureau of Reclamation, NSF Indige-FEWSS, NSF GRFP

Undergraduates


Isa Olivas

BS in Chemical Engineering

Funded by: WAESO and Scott Roberts Foundation


Alena Hermosillo

B.S. in Chemical Engineering

Alena Hermosillo is from Tucson, AZ, and is a Chemical Engineering major with a minor in Chemistry. She is currently working with the biologically activated filtration system for concentrate management. Alena likes to hike and do nature photography for fun.

Funded by: WAESO


Cassidy Chang

B.S. in Environmental Engineering

Funded by: Increasing Access to Undergraduate Research

Graduated Students

Marisa Gonzalez, MS 2020
Jamie Scott, BS 2023 (anticipated)
Estefania Camacho, BS 2021
Paul Feliciano, BS 2020
Marcos Lee, BS  2020
Ciara Lugo, BS 2020
Cassandra Flores, BS 2019