Our Lab

We study the structure, organization, and interactions of living soils—the physics that makes soil habitable for organisms and ecosystems. Our work supports sustainable agriculture for a growing world.

Like the living soils we study, our lab thrives on diversity of disciplines, perspectives, and paths into science.

Current Lab Members

Alumni

Our former lab members continue to make impacts in academia, government, and industry

PhD & MS Graduates

Yulissa Perez-Rojas

Yulissa Perez-Rojas

PhD, 2019-2025

Jennifer Alvarez

Jennifer Alvarez

PhD, 2018-2025

Maeve McCormick

Maeve McCormick

MS, 2023

Touyee Thao

Touyee Thao

PhD, 2008-2023

Current Position

Project Scientist
UC ANR

Toshiyuki Bandai

Toshiyuki Bandai

PhD, 2018-2022

Current Position

Postdoc, Geoscience
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab

Manisha Dolui

Manisha Dolui

PhD, 2022

Current Position

Postdoc
Lawrence Livermore National Lab

Samuel N. Araya

Samuel N. Araya

PhD, 2014-19

Current Position

Soil Data Scientist
Corteva Agriscience

Nathaniel A. Bogie

Nathaniel A. Bogie

PhD, 2010-2016

Current Position

Assist. Professor, Hydrogeology
San Jose State University

Mathew Jian

Mathew Jian

MS, 2014-17

Current Position

Environmental Scientist
California Water Resources Control Board

Vivian Lopez

Vivian Lopez

MS, 2012-15

Current Position

Remedial Project Manager
US EPA

Chelsea Arnold

Chelsea Arnold

PhD, 2009-14

Current Position

Director, CalTeach
University of California, Merced

Ammar Albalsmeh

Ammar Albalsmeh

PhD, 2009-13

Current Position

Professor, Soil Physics
Jordan Univ. of Science and Tech.

Postdocs & Visitors

Xiaoxuan (Shawn) Li

Xiaoxuan (Shawn) Li

Postdoc, 2024-25

Current Position

Researcher
ESRI

Chelsea Arnold

Chelsea Arnold

Research Associate

Current Position

Director
CalTeach, UC Merced

Si Gao

Si Gao

Postdoc, 2021-2022

Current Position

Assistant Professor, Soil Ecology
CSU Sacramento

Jing Yan

Jing Yan

Postdoc, 2017-2020

Current Position

Assistant Professor
University of Hawaii-Manoa

Nathaniel A. Bogie

Nathaniel A. Bogie

Postdoc, 2016-18

Current Position

Assist. Professor, Hydrogeology
San Jose State University

Roger Bayala

Roger Bayala

Postdoc in Senegal, 2010-16

Current Position

University Lecturer
University of Daloa, Côte de'ivoire

Carolina Peña-Sancho

Carolina Peña-Sancho

Visiting PhD, 2013 & 14

Current Position

Dr. Peña-Sancho spent two 4-month research visits at our lab.

Thomas Gebrenegus

Thomas Gebrenegus

Postdoc, 2010-12

Current Position

Geotechnical Engineer
Engin. & Software Consultants, Inc.

Undergraduate Research Assistants

Kadisha Mitchell

Kadisha Mitchell

BRAAG (Howard Univ.)

Simone Graham

Simone Graham

BRAAG (Kentucky State)

Mya Tabares

Mya Tabares

CS

Lauren Hur

Lauren Hur

CS

Fidel Machado-Perez

Fidel Machado-Perez

ESS

Mimi Pomephimkham

Mimi Pomephimkham

Biology

Lythia Meza

Lythia Meza

Applied Math

Joseph Veneracion

Joseph Veneracion

ESS

Luis Davila

Luis Davila

ESS

Abraham Housini

Abraham Housini

ESS

Presley Ramirez

Presley Ramirez

ESS

Hary Nigohossian

Hary Nigohossian

Env. Eng.

Jamie Sweet

Jamie Sweet

Env. Eng.

Jose Moreno

Jose Moreno

Chemistry

Stephen Ho

Stephen Ho

Env. Eng.

Jam Jam James Perey

Jam Jam James Perey

Mech. Eng.

Sunny Grunloh

Sunny Grunloh

ESS

Juan Lopez Arriaza

Juan Lopez Arriaza

Applied Math

Join Our Lab

We welcome students and researchers from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. If you're passionate about soil physics, sustainable agriculture, and applying innovative approaches to environmental challenges, we'd love to hear from you.

Quality cannot be quantified—we value curiosity, creativity, and commitment over metrics.

Get in Touch