Research Team

Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on the interactions between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and microorganisms, including microbial biotransformation of PFAS, microbial enzymes capable of PFAS degradation, and microbial responses to PFAS-induced stress. Prior to joining UCI, she earned her master’s degree from the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and her bachelor’s degree from Xiamen University. Her master’s research investigated the prenatal mother-to-infant transfer and metabolic degradation behavior of PFAS.

Publication · donghuim@uci.edu

Ph.D. student in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UCI. Her research interests include wet chemistry, WUI fires, and water quality. She has assisted in collecting and analyzing environmental samples from Aliso Creek after the 2022 Coastal Fire and presented preliminary findings at UCI's Spring 2023 UROP Symposium in collaboration with Maya El Ajouz.

She has participated in on campus tutoring initiatives through the Learning and Academic Resources Center, as well as on campus engineering clubs such as Global Engineering Brigades and ASCE. In her free time she likes to read, spend time with friends, or go on hikes.

LinkedIn · atilzey@uci.edu

Ph.D. Candidate in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department. Her research interests are in studying microbes and processes involved in biotransformation/bioremediation of industrial and environmental contaminants. Prior to her start at UCI she completed her master’s degree in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology at the University of Edinburgh and a bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology at Cal Poly Pomona. Her masters thesis involved research into biochar mediated bioaugmentation of a hydrocarbonoclastic consortia of microorganisms for improved bioremediation of hydrocarbon contaminated sediment. 

LinkedIn · lemorgan@uci.edu

Ph.D. student in the department of Civil and Environmental Engineering here at UCI. Her research interests included environmental chemistry along with bioremediation from solid and hazardous waste. Currently in the Olivares lab, Audrey is investigating the biotransformation pathways of PFAS precursors through co-metabolism. She believes it is important to understand the reactions with enzymes and the natural environment in order to be able to prevent and clean up PFAS contaminated sites. Audrey’s hobbies include running, soccer, hanging with her friends and watching the WNBA.

Master’s Student at UC Irvine majoring in environmental engineering. Her interest is in PFAS sensing technology. She is currently working on understanding the fluorophilic interaction between different classes of PFAS and engineered β‑CD. Prior to starting the Master’s program at UC Irvine, she completed her bachelor’s degree in environmental engineering at UC Irvine. She is also an intern at Orange County Sanitation District. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, hanging out with family and friends, and trying new food.

Second-year Civil Engineering student at the University of California, Irvine. She is passionate about creating a more sustainable future through innovative structural design and research. As the Lab Manager for the Olivares Lab, she contributes to a community with environmental responsibility.

Beyond the lab, Tania is an intern board member for the external affairs in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). She works to uplift and empower her community. She believes in the strength of collaboration and is dedicated to helping Latinos thrive in STEM and make a positive impact on the world “, because together, we stand.”

· LinkedIn ·