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Student Staff

The following undergraduate and graduate students currently working with WVWRI. WVWRI offers many exciting and unique student positions. Check job opportunities to see current student or staff openings.

Paulina Aler is the Graphic Designer for the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center. In this role, she designs print and digital media, supporting the centers outreach and internal efforts. She is currently pursuing her B.F.A. in Graphic Design with a minor in marketing at West Virginia University. When not working or studying, Paulina is an active sorority sister of Omega Phi Alpha, the national service sorority.	Gabrielle Bush is a sophomore majoring in Biology Pre-medical. She is working under the Research Apprenticeship Program with WVWRI, compiling data and trends from Three Rivers Quest as well as other research programs. Having grown up in Beckley, West Virginia she enjoys spending her time outdoors.
Regan Cassady is a rising senior majoring in Advertising and Public Relations with a minor in marketing. She is an Outreach Assistant for the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center. Outside of work and school, Regan loves to stay active and spend time with her two cats. She enjoys being outdoors, having spent lots of time in nature growing up in Martinsburg, West Virginia. As of Fall 2025, Regan will also be pursuing her master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications.	Luis Cervantes is a graduate research assistant pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resource Management at West Virginia University, with his research focusing on the biological recovery of streams treated for acid mine drainage. He graduated with an Associate of Science Degree in Natural Resource and Wildlife Technology from Garrett College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries from Frostburg State University. Before starting at WVWRI, Luis worked for the Maryland State Park Service at Rocky Gap State Park as both a park ranger and naturalist, leading educational programs for the public about the aquatic ecology of the park’s lake and waterways of Western Maryland. In his free time, Luis enjoys fishing, hunting, kayaking, and spending time in the outdoors.
Ada Chen is a graphic designer for the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center. She is currently pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design and a BA in Game Design & Interactive Media with a minor in Creative Writing. In this role, she will design a variety of materials, print and digital, to help support the center’s outreach efforts. When Ada isn’t studying or working, she enjoys spending time with her friends and reading!	Fisher Hemwall is a graduate research assistant for the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center. He graduated from Kent State University in 2025 with a bachelor's in Architectural Studies and a Business minor. He is currently pursuing a Masters of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Design and combined GIS and Spatial Analysis certificate. In his role, he uses his landscape architecture skills to design initial concepts for communities with brownfields sites. Additionally, he uses GIS to expand his understanding of the community through spatial-driven research and analysis. In his free time, he likes to mountain bike, hike, and collect comics.
Chayce Hill is a freshman from Preston County, West Virginia that is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical engineering and a minor in Photography. Currently, He works as a lab assistant to aid in the day-to-day operations in lab and on site. He often enjoys the chance to photograph nature and West Virginia’s environment. He hopes to continue pursuing chemical research opportunities with WVWRI.	Alexander Himes is a sophomore pursuing a degree in Environmental Engineering and a minor in Geographical Information Science (GIS). Alex is originally from Grafton, West Virginia. He also works with the Common Waters project to assist watershed organizations across the region. Alex has a strong interest in geography and the natural world, and he takes pride in supporting the environment. He enjoys the outdoors, as he loves to fish, kayak, and hike.
Charlie Hogan is currently a junior majoring in mechanical engineering with an area of emphasis in dynamics and controls. Charlie is a part of the Critical Materials team as a student worker. Through this, he aids in lab testing and any day-to-day tasks. Charlie hopes to use this experience as an opportunity to broaden his knowledge on both environmental and material science.	Jordan Kincaid is a Graduate Research Assistant with the Water Research Institute while he pursues his master's degree for Civil/ Environmental Engineering at WVU. Kincaid graduated from WVU in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and has spent the last nine years working in the field of experiential education, where much of his work involved teaching whitewater paddling and river safety. As an avid kayaker and canoeist, he hopes that this opportunity with the WVWRI will help him develop new skills and discover more opportunities to have a positive impact on the rivers he loves.
Cally Lange is a PhD student in Human and Community Development at WVU with a focus on rural development processes and policies. She has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from The Ohio State University and a Master of Architecture with a concentration in Historic Preservation from Ball State University. As a Graduate Research Assistant for the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Center, she develops case studies on downtown revitalization in rural communities, conducts research on local and state policy initiatives, and supports the Downtown Appalachia Working group.	Jolie Mongeau is a graduate research assistant pursuing a master’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resource Management. She graduated from WVU in 2024 with a bachelor’s in Environmental Soil and Water Science. She has been with WVWRI for a little over a year now but in the past, she has worked at an environmental consulting firm, she was a student leader for the E3 Summer Camp (Energy, Environment and Excitement) hosted by WVU, and worked as a greenhouse assistant. Additionally, Jolie is from Philadelphia PA and when not at school, she loves hiking, fishing and she is an active sister of Omega Phi Alpha and dedicates a lot of her time to community service. In the future she hopes to continue graduate school and receive her PhD or attend law school to study environmental law.
Sarah Nelson is a Graduate Research Assistant pursuing a master's degree in Civil Engineering. Her research focuses on the characterization of acid mine drainage and evaluation of treatment options in Deckers Creek. Previously, Sarah was an undergraduate student worker for WVWRI from 2023-2025 and completed the SURE program with WVWRI in 2023. Sarah's prior research analyzed water quality data in the Monongahela River basin to support the 3RQ program.	Sarah Rizer is currently a Masters of Business Administration student as well as a Critical Materials Student Researcher with the WVWRI. Originally from York, PA, traveling and learning about water resources around the globe is a priority to her. She completed her bachelor's in Environmental Soil and Water Sciences with an emphasis in Land Reclamation and a minor in Sustainable Design at WVU. Sarah’s passion for research began her freshman year when she worked as a Ph.D. student assistant. One of her favorite aspects of research is collaborating with colleagues and gaining new perspectives on complex and diverse topics.