University of Michigan
Meet The Team
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Principal Investigator
Dr. Kate Manz (she/her)
Dr. Kate Manz, originally from New York, is an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. With expertise in environmental chemistry, Dr. Manz is dedicated to developing remediation techniques for pollutants and using non-targeted analysis to discover unidentified environmental exposures. In her free time, Dr. Manz enjoys playing with her dog, Maisy, hiking, and baking!
Academic Background:
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PhD, Energy Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, 2018
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MS, Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee, 2016
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BS, Chemistry and Psychology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2013
Research Lab Specialist
Rachel Klein (she/her)
Rachel is from Mt. Pleasant, MI, and as the lab's research specialist, she conducts and supports the research team's experiments, data analysis, and resource coordination. Her public health interests lie in analytical chemistry, cancer and rare disease epidemiology, and bioinformatics. Rachel enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and kayaking in her free time!
Academic Background:
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MS, Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 2023
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MS, Psychology, University of Michigan, 2021
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BS, Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience, University of Michigan, 2020
Research Technician
Mrinalini Gupta (she/her)
Mrinalini is the lab's research technician and is from West Bloomfield, MI. With an academic background rooted at the University of Michigan, she is interested in environmental epidemiology and waterborne exposures. In her free time, Mrinalini enjoys hiking, reading, watching movies, and playing with her cat, Luna!
Academic Background:
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BS, Philosophy and Psychology, University of Michigan, 2024
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MPH, Environmental Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 2025
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PhD Candidate, Environmental Health Sciences
Cynthia Adebayo (she/her)
Cynthia is a PhD student from London, England. Her interests in public health lie in exposure science, beauty justice, and minority health equity. In her free time, Cynthia likes to stay active with boxing and basketball and also enjoys baking!
Academic Background:
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BS, Chemistry and Global Development & Sustainability, St. John's University – Queens, 2024
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PhD Candidate, Toxicology
Adedamola Samuel Adenekan (he/him)
Adedamola Samuel is a PhD student interested in all topics related to environmental health. Originally from Abeokuta, Nigeria, Adedamola Samuel enjoys listening to music while taking a walk in his free time!
Academic Background:
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MS, Environmental Toxicology, New York University, 2024
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MS, Environmental Management and Protection, Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, 2021
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BS, Zoology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, 2016
PhD Candidate, Toxicology
Sydney Dame (they/them)
Sydney is a PhD student from Macomb, MI interested in molecular toxicology, exposure and risk assessment, and the management of environmental toxins/pollutants. In their free time, Sydney enjoys spending time outdoors, including activities such as hiking and birding!
Academic Background:
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BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2021
PhD Candidate, Environmental Health Sciences
Susie Turnbull-Proctor (she/her)
Susie is a PhD student from Asheville, NC. She is interested in environmental epidemiology, life course exposures, environmental justice, and community engaged research. In her free time, Susie enjoys rock climbing, hiking, knitting, and playing with her pup, Sadie!
Academic Background:
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MPH, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2022
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BS, Environmental Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2016
PhD Candidate, Chemistry
Siyu Li (she/her)
Siyu is a PhD student from Tianjin, China, pursuing a degree in chemistry. She is interested in analytical chemistry, toxicology, and metabolomics. In her free time, Siyu enjoys watching movies, cooking and baking, and playing with her three cats!
Academic Background:
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MS, Pharmacology and Drug Development, Tufts University, 2021
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BS, Pharmacy, Shandong University, 2019
MS Student, Industrial Hygiene
Natalie Conti (she/her)
Natalie is an MS student from Grosse Ile, MI. Natalie is passionate about workplace safety; environment, social, and governance (ESG) efforts; and sustainable business operations in the environmental health sector. In her free time, Natalie enjoys spending time outside with her dogs!
Academic Background:
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BS, Medical Laboratory Science, 2020
MS Student, Environmental Health Sciences
Albert Shim (he/him)
Albert is an undergraduate senior completing his BS degree in Public Health Sciences while simultaneously beginning his accelerated MS degree. He is from Novi, MI and is passionate about environmental justice in the lens of water quality. In his free time, Albert enjoys running, watching movies, and listening to podcasts!
Academic Background:
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BS, Public Health Sciences, University of Michigan, 2025
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MPH Student, Environmental Health Sciences
Gabby DeMott (she/her)
Gabby is an MPH student from Ann Arbor, MI interested in chemical exposures and regulations. In her free time, Gabby enjoys hiking, crocheting, and hanging with dogs!
Academic Background:
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BS, Program in the Environment, University of Michigan, 2023
MPH Student, EHPP
Paige Jewell (she/her)
Paige is an Environmental Health Promotion and Policy MPH student from Grand Rapids, MI, interested in sustainability and water quality. In her free time, Paige enjoys crocheting, reading, and cooking!
Academic Background:
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BS, Health Sciences, Butler University, 2024
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BS Student, Biology, Health, and Society
Adrienne Feige (she/her)
Adrienne is an undergraduate sophomore from Midland, MI pursuing a BS degree in Biology, Health, and Society. Her research interests lie in investigating the presence of PFAS in human milk. In her free time, Adrienne enjoys working out, reading, and sewing and is presently in the Michigan Marching Band!
BS Student, Public Health Sciences
Paul Grossman (he/him)
Paul is an undergraduate student pursuing a BS degree in Public Health Sciences. He is from Okemos, MI and is passionate about environmental health, safety, and justice. In his free time, Paul enjoys drumming, playing volleyball, and listening to music!
BS Student, Biology
Ethan Wang (he/him)
Ethan is an undergraduate student on the pre-health track. He is passionate about improving public health through environmental safety, clean water technologies, and pharmaceutical innovation. Originally from New Hyde Park, New York, Ethan enjoys sewing, rock climbing, photography, and exploring new restaurants in New York City.
BS Student, Engineering
Isabella Mei (she/her)
Isabella is an undergraduate student pursuing a BS degree in Engineering. She is from Sterling Heights, MI and is passionate about environmental health, epidemiology, and global health. In her free time, Isabella enjoys exploring new cafes, going on night walks, and rock climbing!
