Our Research Group
Students associated with Green Lab participate in research that places them at the intersection of a variety of fields and the nature of our work requires our team to become well-rounded scientists.
The Team
Dr. Hyatt Green
Associate Professor
I’m an environmental microbiologist who, even before COVID, loved using fancy molecular methods to see what’s in your dirty water. I have 15 years experience in the field of microbial source-tracking where we seek to identify specific sources of aquatic fecal contamination. Our lab’s strengths have been easily applied to the field of eDNA where we have a range of active collaborations. Most recently, I am the lead of method development for the SARS-EWSP project and led the optimization of the sucrose cushion method to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater currently used across New York State and elsewhere. I am also interested in elucidating the microbial ecology in unique sites such as Huntington Wildlife Forest and Fayetteville Green Lake.
Max Wilder
Ph.D. Candidate
My work at ESF focuses on the development and use of molecular tools to detect genetic
material in a variety of environmental settings. I have worked on projects focused on fisheries
management and ecology, developing and applying eDNA approaches to monitor invasive species, elusive species, and whole communities. Starting in early 2020, I have also been involved in developing methods to detect and quantify SARS-CoV-2, as well as other emerging pathogens of public health concern, in wastewater.
Sarah Caltabiano
Ph.D. Candidate
I am now working on my dissertation under the guidance of Dr. Hyatt Green (Environmental Biology) and Dr. Greg Boyer (Chemistry). I am interested in cyanobacteria activity, and how they can affect water chemistry.
Andrew Jazdzyk
M.S. Student
I’m currently studying for my M.S. in Molecular Biology and Ecology! My B.S. was obtained from Michigan Technological University with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and a Minor in Fish Biology.
My project (the coolest of projects), attempts to elucidate the geochemical and microbial interactions of mercury methylating bacteria.
(Photo taken in the Midwest’s only naturally occurring meromictic lake!)
Brandon Ferro
M.S. Student
I’m currently working on my M.S. in Environmental Biology and received a B.S. in
Environmental Science from Eastern Michigan University. My project is focused on normalizing
and modeling historical data produced within the New York State Wastewater Surveillance
network using R and Python coding languages with the goal of forecasting epidemics. I enjoy
traveling, hiking, trying new restaurants, and playing basketball at the Barnes Center!
Rafael Schulman
Medical Student, Upstate Medical
I became interested evolutionary biology in high school and college, particularly fascinated by the complex patterns of cooperation and competition that shape creatures large and small. I am now working on my research thesis under the guidance of Dr. Hyatt Green (ESF) and Dr. Frank Middleton (SUNY Upstate). We are utilizing a pathogen surveillance system built on wastewater infrastructure to track genomic traces of pathogens across New York State.
Alea Hunsucker
Research Analyst
I received my B.S. in Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology in 2021 at North Carolina State University, and am new to being "up north!"
I work mostly on microbial source-tracking in the fingerlakes region, but am also dabbling in other lab duties and online media creation. I have a special interest in wildlife diseases, specifically interspecies pathogens like SARS-CoV-2!