Team | Bell Lab at ECU

Natasha Bell, PhD, PE

I grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina, located in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. After earning my BS in Biosystems Engineering from Clemson University, I went on to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and graduated with an MS in Agricultural and Biological Engineering in 2013. After that, I worked for two years as a staff engineer at a civil and environmental engineering consulting firm in New York City - an unforgettable learning experience. I then returned to Clemson University in the Fall of 2015 to pursue a PhD in Biosystems Engineering, where my research focus was on ecologically engineered technologies to remediate Phytophthora spp., a destructive fungus-like plant pathogen. I then spent four years as an Assistant Professor at East Carolina University before transitioning to the Department of Biological Systems Engineering aVirginia Tech in 2023.

In addition to spending time with my family, I enjoy cooking, yoga, going to live shows, and being active outdoors.

Buddhika Abeyrathne

I’m Buddhika Abeyrathne, a PhD student in the Bell Lab within the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. My journey into environmental research began with a B.Sc. in Biosystems Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. After graduating, I pursued an M.Sc. in Hazardous Substances and Environmental Management at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, where my research focused on arsenic removal from contaminated soil using a bio-based washing agent combined with mechanical agitation and ultrasonication.

Following my master’s degree, I worked at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka, joining the Centre for Water Quality and Algae Research. There, I conducted in-depth research on surface and groundwater contamination issues and contributed to the development of effective drinking water systems for the remediation of contaminants.

Now, as a PhD student, my research focuses on advancing sustainable water treatment solutions. I begin by identifying contaminants and assessing their toxicological effects to understand their ecosystem impacts. I then explore nitrogen pathways and the interactions of microbial communities within water systems. By utilizing microbial sequencing technologies and flow cytometric analyses, I aim to optimize microbial processes for contaminant removal. My ultimate goal is to develop ecological engineered technologies that provide efficient and sustainable solutions for large-scale water remediation.

Outside of my academic pursuits, I am passionate about exploring wildlife, especially fish, amphibians, and reptiles. I enjoy wildlife photography, hiking, and immersing myself in nature. These activities not only rejuvenate me but also inspire my work, connecting my personal interests with my professional goals.

Emilie Sidelinger

I am excited to join the Bell lab as a PhD student. For as long as I can remember, I have been inspired by the natural world. This has been a guiding factor through my learning and led me across the country as I sought to further understand it and our relationship with it. During my undergraduate program in Biosystems Engineering at Clemson, I got involved many clubs and activities and deepened my interest in microbiology, and was fortunate to intern at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where I studied nitrogen fertilizer’s impacts on plant-microbe interactions, particularly microbial diversity. Post-graduation, I served in AmeriCorps Colorado for a food-systems non-profit, working mainly as an after-school club environmental educator and summer camp leader. Following this experience, I worked with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Albany, California to study pathogenicity and resistance of Escherichia coli O157:H7. At Virginia Tech, my research integrates nature-inspired decentralized technologies, community-based approaches, and wastewater monitoring to improve water quality for rural communities. I am working to promote a robust workforce of wastewater workers by comprehensive K-12 outreach, training of early-career students, and advocacy. I will also continue research in monitoring and reporting of antimicrobial resistance signal genes in rural Appalachia. Finally, I will be developing greenhouse-scale research on engineered wetlands to facilitate pollutant removal and ecological health of water resources.

Outside of research/classes, I love to sing, dance and explore the outdoors via backpacking, kayaking, and foraging.

Richard Melia

My name is Richard Melia and I am a Junior going for my bachelor's in Biological Systems Engineering with a minor in Green Engineering. I’m originally from Raleigh North Carolina where my Mom, Dad, and dog Bailey still live. They both work in the environmental sector so I’m working hard to make them both proud! I’m really looking forward to diving deep into my

undergraduate research experience with Dr. Bell and her team! I love to have fun outdoors and

am a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so some of the things I love to do include mountain biking, rock

climbing, rafting, kayaking, skiing, and hiking. I’ve also been known to play a video game or two.

Leah Bianchini

I am currently working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Systems Engineering with a concentration in Ecological Engineering and a minor in Green Engineering at Virginia Tech. I grew up in Leesburg, Virginia in Loudoun County. I’m excited to be a part of Bell Lab’s research regarding mitigating water pollution and using natural solutions to conserve local

ecosystems. I plan to devote my career to water conservation, environmental health, and general sustainability. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, swimming, learning about personal wellness, and playing Hay Day.