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Student Staff

The following students are currently working with WVWRI as undergraduate or graduate student workers. WVWRI offers many exciting and unique student positions. Continue to check back on our opportunities to see current student worker or staff openings!
Sarah Nelson

Sarah Nelson is a junior majoring in Civil Engineering. During the summer of 2023, Sarah completed the SURE program with WVWRI. Under this program, she completed and presented research on Monongahela River water quality as part of the 3RQ program. Currently, she assists with field and lab work, creating infographics, writing, research, and data analysis. Sarah has also completed WVU’s Research Apprenticeship Program and hopes to continue environmental research during her career at West Virginia University.
 Paulina Aler

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.
Jolie Mongeau

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.
 Chayce Hill

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.
Regan Cassady

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. 		Sarah Rizer

Sarah Rizer is a senior majoring in Environmental Soil and Water Science with an emphasis in Land Reclamation and a minor in Sustainable Design. She was first introduced to research when she assisted a PhD student in their Plant and Soil Science lab. She is a WVU Research Apprenticeship Program Graduate who worked in a hydrologic modeling lab under the WVU Civil and Environmental Engineering department. In addition to her studies and research, Sarah has completed a summer EHS internship for Viatris, a global pharmaceutical company, within their research and development department. She is a critical materials student worker for the WVWRI. Originally from York, PA, traveling and learning about water resources around the globe is a priority to her. After she graduates, Sarah hopes to attend graduate school and continue conducting water research.
Charlie Hogan

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.		 Brooke

Brooke Sikole is a junior majoring in Environmental, Soil, and Water Science with a minor in Geology. Through the WVU SURE program, she is working at WVWRI assisting with the 3RQ program and bacteria sampling. Brooke has also completed the WVU Center for Resilient Communities Internship, in which she worked with local watershed organizations on an environmental justice analysis project. She enjoys hiking and being in nature and hopes to continue pursuing environmental science research opportunities in the future.