Katherine Deliz earned her BS and MS in Biology at the University of Puerto Rico and her PhD in Environmental Engineering Sciences at the University of Florida. She started her academic career at UF in fall 2017, after working four years in Environmental Consulting, as Project and QA Manager. Her research in environmental biotechnology focuses on fate, transport & remediation of pollutants and pathogens. Additional research interests include resilience, sustainability and public health.

Research Areas

Water Systems, Systems Ecology & Ecological Engineering

Research Interests

• Dynamics of integrated natural, build and human systems
  • What is the effect of anthropogenic activities and pollutants on environmental microbiomes and biochemical cycles?
  • What is the effect of natural disturbances in the fate and transport of pollutants and pathogens?
  • What is the ecological and human risk to pollutant and pathogen exposure?
• Environmental and Human Sustainability and Resilience
  • Implementation of sustainable techniques for remediation and mitigation of contaminated sites
  • Continuous environmental monitoring through in situ technology and IoT
  • Reduce exposure risk and health outcomes through Community Engagement Research (CEnR)

Education

• PhD Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville
  • Concentration: Biogeochemistry
• MS Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
  • Concentration: Limnology
•  BS Biology, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
  • Concentration: Pre-Med, and microbiology

Awards & Distinctions

• Anderson Scholar Faculty Honoree