What do you research?

My Ph.D. research focuses on geospatially assessing the impacts of sea-level rise on environmental and public health in the U.S. Southeast, with a focus on North Carolina. Currently, I’m working on a project that aims to better understand water-quality impacts and public-health risks of tidal flooding. Tidal flooding — or Sunny Day Flooding — is the temporary overflowing of saltwater onto land during higher-than-average high tides and can occur on sunny days without rainfall. North Carolina and other localities along the U.S. Southeast coast have some of the highest rates of sea-level rise in the world and are especially vulnerable to tidal flooding.

Tidal floodwaters can be contaminated with fecal indicator bacteria, indicating the presence of pathogens which can cause illness. These pathogens are of particular concern considering the high likelihood of human contact with floodwaters in roads, yards, and recreation areas, and the ability of microbial contaminants to persist in soil for weeks to months after floodwaters recede. Sea-level rise is also raising groundwater levels and causing problems for septic systems. Septic systems, which are not connected to municipal wastewater treatment systems, are used by more than a third of homes in the U.S. Southeast, and nearly 50% of homes in North Carolina. Tidal or permanent groundwater inundation of septic systems has serious consequences for water quality and public health, as untreated effluent is released into the environment. Untreated effluent can infiltrate groundwater, be forced to the surface during tidal flooding, and contaminate marine waters with chemical and biological contaminants, including excess nutrients and fecal indicator bacteria. To address knowledge gaps surrounding these issues, I’ve led field research to characterize fecal contamination in tidal floodwaters of a rural coastal community on septic in NC, and am currently working on analyses and the write-up for publication.

What are the implications of your research, and how does it fit into the One Health framework?

The research for my Ph.D. is at the interdisciplinary intersection of human and environmental health as it will increase understanding on the extent and drivers of nearshore water-quality contamination from sea-level rise and flooding. This research is critically needed to determine health risks and to increase the resilience of coastal infrastructure and communities as sea levels continue to rise.

Sampling of tidal floodwaters I have conducted, along with previous research findings, indicate that levels of fecal indicator bacteria vary and can occur at unsafe levels in tidal floods. It’s therefore recommended to not swim or play in tidal floodwaters, and if you are exposed to floodwaters, wash your hands and any open cuts or sores with soap.

You can learn more about ongoing research at the Sunny Day Flooding Project website here: https://sunnydayflooding.com/. On the website, you can also sign up to receive flood alerts for select coastal roadways in NC.

What/who inspired you to pursue this field of study?

I’m a water enthusiast who grew up by the beach, and through education, scientific SCUBA diving, travelling, and my experiences, I’m acutely aware that the actions of individuals and groups not only impact other humans, but everything in the environment. Indeed, the ocean is extremely important to the livelihoods of coastal communities, and I have seen negative anthropogenic impacts on communities, coral reefs, and waterways, but I have also seen areas where conservation and technology have made a positive impact. It’s experiences like these that have shaped and solidified my goal of working as a scientist at the interface of land-sea-human systems.

What do you view as a critical global challenge in One Health, and how could your discipline contribute to addressing it?

Sea-level rise, driven by anthropogenic climate change, is a global One Health challenge which coastal communities face now and into the future. Impacts such as the increased frequency, severity, and duration of tidal flooding, saltwater intrusion, and damage to wastewater infrastructure can degrade water quality, cause habitat and biodiversity loss, and mobilize contaminants that increase exposure to pathogens and pollutants, all of which affect environmental, human, and wildlife health.

Geospatial analytics can contribute to addressing this One Health challenge by helping to better understand and predict the risks of sea-level rise across space and time, and guide decision making. For example, geospatial analytics can help monitor environmental changes, map areas vulnerable to flood inundation, assess exposure pathways, support adaptation planning of coastal communities, and determine equitable prioritization of resources in regions facing rapid sea-level rise.

How has the Global One Health Fellowship helped shape your career trajectory?

Science and society are not mutually exclusive, which was one of the reasons I was drawn to the Global One Health Fellowship program. Being a Fellow helped increase my understanding of, and exposure to, interdisciplinary One Health research. The knowledge and interactions I’ve had over the past year will enrich my Ph.D. outputs at the intersection of environmental and public health. It has also further solidified my career goal of continuing to be a part of the research and conservation efforts that help better understand and preserve coastal and marine habitats and communities in this time of rapid global change.

What was your favorite part of the Global One Health Fellowship?

I really enjoyed learning with, and from, the other Global One Health Fellows and Instructors this year. I appreciated the interdisciplinary, collaborative, and inclusive nature of the program, with multiple learning and presentation opportunities. It also facilitated us sharing our experiences and knowledge, while learning from others, to gain new perspectives and connections.

What are your next steps?

Next up, for my Ph.D., I’ll be publishing the results from our tidal flooding research with my advisor, Dr. Natalie Nelson, and collaborators. This study focuses on the surface, so after that, I’ll be delving more into research focusing on the subsurface.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

If you like swimming at the NC coast, check out this Swimming Advisory Map which reports levels of fecal indicator bacteria to help determine if waters are safe to enter: https://www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/shellfish-sanitation-and-recreational-water-quality/recreational-water-quality

This post was originally published in Global One Health Academy (GOHA).