Spring 2025 Group Photo in the Hanigan's Back Yard (and some significant others and kids)

Current Group Members
David Hanigan, PhD, PE
Associate Professor
Program Director, Environmental Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Nevada, Reno
[email protected]
Phone: 775-682-7517
Sivachandiran (Siva) Loganathan
Research Scientist
Dr. Sivachandiran Loganathan earned his B.Sc. (2005) and M.Sc. (2007) in Chemistry from the University of Madras, Chennai, India. He completed his PhD at École Polytechnique, Paris, France, in 2013, where his research focused on air treatment using a Non-Thermal Plasma catalytic reactor. Following his PhD, Dr. Loganathan pursued postdoctoral research at Mines Douai and GREMI, University of Orléans, France, where he developed cutting-edge Non-Thermal Plasma reactors designed for applications in energy, environmental sustainability, and agriculture.
​From 2016 to 2021, Dr. Loganathan served as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, India. In the fall of 2021, he joined CAARES at Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, USA, as an Analytical Scientist, where his work focused on PFAS quantification, removal, and destruction from wastewater.
In the fall of 2024, Dr. Loganathan joined Dr. Hanigan's research group at the University of Nevada, Reno, as a Research Scientist. His current research focuses on PFAS analysis, product development, and PFAS remediation, particularly on the development of novel photo/plasma reactors for AFFF mineralization/defluorination.
Srinidhi (Sri) Lokesh
Research Scientist
​I am originally from Bangalore, India. I earned my B.Tech in Mining Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Karnataka in 2015, followed by an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from New York University in 2018. I completed my Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2023, where I investigated the use of aqueous-phase biochar for the dehalogenation of organic contaminants and examined the behavior of 6PPD-quinone at the asphalt–water interface.
Following my Ph.D., I joined Colorado State University as a postdoctoral scholar, where I studied pollutants (PFAS, PAHs, and organohalogens) released from structural fires using both targeted and non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry. Currently, at UNR, my research focuses on disinfection byproduct formation from urban wildfire-impacted soils, using simulated runoff experiments and high-resolution mass spectrometry to assess precursor contributions and associated treatment risks.
Outside of the lab, I enjoy experimenting in the kitchen with new recipes, often stirring up a storm. I'm also an avid pickleball player, a fan of space-themed science fiction, and a passionate follower of sports—including tennis, cricket, and basketball.
Zhihang "Peter" Yin
Post-Doc
I am from Beijing, China, and I earned my Ph.D. study at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). My current research at UNR focuses on the monitoring of high-risk substances including opioids, sedatives and stimulants and their metabolites in sewage system to understand community exposure to the compounds. I love fishing, hiking and anime.
Seth McCoy
Ph.D. Student
Md Samiul Ahsan
Ph.D. Student
I am from Dhaka, Bangladesh. I have my Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. My research at UNR mainly focuses on Organo-fluorine extraction from biosolids. During my leisure time I like to do traveling, knowing about current affairs, listening to music etc.
Shaik Mohammed Joarder
Ph.D. Student
I am from Dhaka, Bangladesh, and completed my Master’s in Civil Engineering (Environmental). My research focuses on the quantification, treatment, and reusability of PFAS-impacted pavements. I like traveling and playing sports.
Plabon Turzo
Ph.D. Student
I’m from Dhaka, Bangladesh, and completed both of my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Leather Engineering at the University of Dhaka. Currently, my research at the UNR focuses on the thermal degradation of PFAS for the regeneration of granular activated carbon (GAC). In my free time, I enjoy going on adventures, watching anime, playing video games, taking photographs, and yo-yoing.
Lauren Edwards
M.S. Student

​I'm from Lincoln, California and attended Grinnell College in Iowa. I have a degree in Chemistry and my research focuses on thermal decomposition of PFASs in reactivated granulated activated carbon. I enjoy board games, hanging out with friends, and playing soccer and ultimate frisbee. 
Diego Castellano
Undergraduate Researcher
I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada, and am currently working as an undergraduate researcher while pursuing a BS in Environmental Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. I’m interested in all fields of Environmental Engineering Research. I like to play video games, play sports, and read.
Jordyn Dashiell
Undergraduate Researcher
I’m from Spokane, Washington and I’m currently a junior pursuing a BS in Environmental Engineering at UNR. The projects I’m involved in concern disinfection by-product formation from point-of-use water purifying tablets and the occurrence of PFAS in soil irrigated with reuse water. In my free time I love to hike, hang out with my dogs, and garden.

Prior Students and Post-docs
Xuexiang He
Post-Doc (2021-2022)
Ibrahim Abusallout
Post-Doc (2019-2021)
CDM-Smith
Kenneth Kickenbottom
Ph.D. (2023)
Dowl
Mingrui Song
Ph.D. (2022)
Post doc at UC-Riverside
Junli Wang
Ph.D. (2022)
Post doc at UC-Riverside
Priyamvada Sharma
Ph.D. (2021)
Geosyntec
Utsav Thapa
Ph.D. (2021)
Post-doc at SUNY-Buffalo
Haley Grable
M.S. (2023)
​Keller Associates
Mike DeNicola
M.S. (2023)
USGS
Kevin Stewart
M.S. (2022)
Keller Associates
Libby McKenna
M.S. (2020)
Corona Environmental Consulting
Saeed Arabi
M.S. ChemE (2020, Co-advised with Dr. Sage Hiibel)
Andrew Poustie
M.S. (2018)
Stantec Engineering

Prior Undergraduate Researchers

AJ Mathew
​Aditya Prathap
Eden Ansell
​Dalia Marin-Rios (2022-2023, BS EnvE)
Jackie Kittredge (2021-2022, BS EnvrE), now with Keller and Associates
Aron Chan (2019-2021, BS EnvrE), now with Nevada Department of Transportation
Jackson Alicata (2018-2019, BS ChemE)
Chelsea Cluff (2016-2017, BS CEE), now with Farr West Engineering