Current Group Members
David Hanigan, PhD, PE
Associate Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Nevada, Reno
Phone: 775-682-7517
Xuexiang He
Post-Doc

I am ​originally from China. I received my bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Nanjing University, China and PhD in Environmental Engineering from University of Cincinnati, USA. I have conducted various postdoctoral researches at Southern Nevada Water Authority and Florida International University, and now at University of Nevada, Reno. My work has involved a diverse aspect of water treatment and reuse, such as coagulation/flocculation, adsorption, oxidation/reduction, and disinfection. I enjoy traveling, specifically driving and food.
Mingrui Song
Ph.D. Student

I come from China. I received my master's degree of environmental engineering from Harbin Institute of Technology, China and bachelors' from University of South China. My research interests are drinking water or wastewater treatment. I love mountain climbing and hiking.
Junli Wang
Ph.D. Student

I am from China and I received my master's degree of environmental engineering from the Harbin Institute of Technology, China and bachelors' from Wuhan University, China in 2014. My research interest is identification & quantification of emerging contaminants by novel pretreatment methods. I enjoy cycling and swimming.
Kenny Hickenbottom
Ph.D. Student

I'm from Carson City, Nevada. I am interested in water treatment issues relating to the Reno-Tahoe area and my research at UNR focuses on the influence of wildfire on disinfection by-product formation. I like rock climbing, music, and looking for cool rocks with my wife!
Kevin Stewart
M.S. Student

I’m originally from Dallas, Texas and attended the University of North Texas where I received bachelor’s degrees in ecology and chemistry. I am interested in environmental chemistry and my research at UNR focuses on disinfection byproduct formation during aquifer storage and recovery. I love hiking, trail running, biking, and getting out in the mountains and desert whenever I can!
Mike DeNicola
M.S. Student

I grew up in Houston Texas and Attended the University of Redlands in Southern California where I got my bachelors in environmental science and minored in chemistry.  Since then I have held a variety of jobs ranging from analytical chemistry to forest and rangeland ecological monitoring with organizations such as the University of California, US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.  My current research interests include water quality and contaminant fate and transport.  In my free time I enjoy mountain biking, fishing, dancing poorly, and exploring the outdoors.
Jackie Kittredge
Undergraduate Researcher

I grew up in Roseville California and will receive my bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from UNR in May 2022. I have experience working for the City of Rocklin doing water quality testing on stormwater runoff. My curriculum has mostly focused on water treatment and hydrology, which I am most interested in. I will be assisting Kevin with his research on disinfection byproduct formation during the 2021 academic year. I love hiking, snowboarding, and playing soccer in my free time.

Prior Students and Post-docs
Ibrahim Abusallout
Post-Doc (2021)
Now with CDM-Smith
Priyamvada Sharma
Ph.D. (2021)
Utsav Thapa
Ph.D. (2021)
Currently a post-doc at SUNY-Buffalo
Libby McKenna
M.S. (2020)
Now with Corona Environmental Consulting
Saeed Arabi
M.S. ChemE (2020, Co-advised with Dr. Sage Hiibel)
Andrew Poustie
M.S. (2018)
Now with Stantec Engineering

Prior Undergraduate Researchers

Aron Chan (2019-2021, BS EnvrE)
Jackson Alicata (2018-2019, BS ChemE)
Chelsea Cluff (2016-2017, BS CEE)