Biological & Ecological Engineering

Dr. Luyao Ma co-authored the study "Deep learning enabled rapid detection of live bacteria in food debris," presenting a model (ResNet50 + RPN) for quick detection of bacteria like E. coli in food samples using white-light microscopy. Learn more: loom.ly/bSSop18

Dr. Gerrad Jones co-wrote the article "Discovery of Chemical Constituents as Markers of PFAS Sources via Nontarget Screening and Machine Learning" enhancing PFAS forensics with a new source identification framework and key monitoring tools. Read it here: loom.ly/anzGvrw

Check out this great article on how AI predicts avocado ripeness using your smartphone! Luyao Ma, an assistant professor at Oregon State University, along with researchers from OSU and Florida State University, is developing this new and innovative tech. loom.ly/BJnrP54

Join OSU's College of Engineering and the Clean Water Technology Initiative February 5, 2026, for a screening of the award-winning documentary How to Poison a Planet, followed by a panel discussion with experts. Click the link to learn more and register: loom.ly/X5AoJ4o

🚨Check this out! OSU offers five thrilling MacGyver sessions this year covering space weather, ocean environments, the geosphere, and crowdsourced science—the biggest program yet, according to Chet Udell, who heads the geosphere session. Don’t miss out! loom.ly/C_7HWd4

Exciting Opportunity Alert! Dr. Stephen Good is seeking a skilled PhD student for his dynamic team, focusing in remote sensing and water quality, with potential for a second position! Interested in the BEE graduate program? Learn more here: loom.ly/pN84_Es

Dr. Desiree Tullos co-authored "Model Evaluation of Stage 0 river treatment on juvenile spring Chinook in the South Fork McKenzie River, Oregon," assessing Stage 0 treatments and their potential environmental impact on certain species. Read more here: loom.ly/zF7r1Jk

New Research Article: Dr. Luyao Ma co-authored "Machine Learning-driven Optical Microfiltration Device for Improved Nanoplastic Sampling and Detection in Water Systems" and explored the increase of nanoplastics in water and what it means. Read more here: loom.ly/V8U3aYQ

Dr. Salini Sasidharan co-authored "Time-lapse ensemble-based electrical resistivity tomography to monitor water flow from managed aquifer recharge operations," examining the use of TL-ERT for imaging water flows and aquifers. Read here: loom.ly/eGdUY6A

New Article! Dr. Chad Higgins collaborated on "How Many Catch Can Measurements Are Required to Evaluate the Hydraulic Performance of Drip Irrigation Systems?" evaluating drip irrigation systems and their links to water application efficiency. Read here: loom.ly/4BQLdgg

New Article! Dr. John Selker co-authored "Evaluating precipitation amount and water isotope ratios in OPEnS and Palmex RS1 passive collectors," showcasing our OPEnS lab's efforts in assessing passive collectors for water isotope analysis. Read here:loom.ly/cPdXKEQ

New Article! Dr. Stephen Good collaborates on "Data and scripts associated with "Sequential Precipitation Input Tagging (SPIT) to Estimate Water Transit Times and Hydrologic Tracer Dynamics within Water-Tagging Enabled Hydrologic Models"'. Read Here: loom.ly/6-eqtmk

Dr. Salini Sasidharan works on a study called "Forensic hydrology for a conceptual model of a compartmentalized alluvial aquifer in the Lower Umatilla Basin, USA." The research seeks to enhance future groundwater management and tackle challenges. Read here:loom.ly/3kKv6EM

Dr. Desiree Tullos co-authored a study on "A Practitioner-Informed Decision Tree for Selecting Harmful Cyanobacteria Bloom Control and Mitigation Techniques," outlining a decision tree for assessing HCB control methods and their effectiveness. Read here: loom.ly/zF7r1Jk

New Research Article!: Dr. John Selker (OSU) and Dr. Rolf Hut (Delft University of Tech.) published an article in February 2025, "Strategic Considerations in Hydrologic Education," examining the evolution and future of hydrologic education. Read it here: loom.ly/__xyn9M

Please extend a warm welcome to our newest faculty, Dr. Cheng Li! His current projects include development of marine MFCs that generate sustained power from ocean biomass. He is excited to join OSU BEE to advance microbial electro-biotech for sustainable food and water systems!

🚨Special Senior Shoutout!🚨 Please welcome BEE's student worker, Sydney Huard!! Her plans after graduation are to work in pharmaceutical manufacturing and she wanted to share that she loved working in BEE and it was a pleasure working with everyone! Sydney, we wish you the best!

🚨 Senior Shoutout!🚨 Next up is Belen Bracomontes! Belen is graduating with their BS in Ecological Engineering and will be staying to attain their Master's through BEE's Accelerated Master's Program. Congratulations Belen!🎉🎈

🚨 Senior Shoutout!🚨 We have Tara Judkins up for senior highlights as Tara will be graduating this year with her BS in Ecological Engineering. Her plan after graduation is to stay for the BEE Accelerated Master's Program. Congrats, Tara!🎉

🚨 Senior Shoutout!🚨 Up next is Madeline Dieringer, who is graduating with her BS in Ecological Engineering! Madeline's plans after graduation are to stay at OSU to attain a MEng in Ecological Engineering and to work at Otak as a Civil Designer intern! Amazing Job, Madeline!🎈🎉