Research Group Members

Christabel Abugu is a graduate student in Hydrogeology at Illinois State University with a B.Sc. in Applied Geology from the Federal University of Technology Akure, Nigeria. Her research models the impact of projected climate change on groundwater demand in the Mahomet Aquifer, examining spatial and temporal variations in groundwater use and contaminant pathways. She is interested in using GIS to analyze climate change effects on groundwater and surface water and their interactions with water resource management. Outside school, she enjoys volleyball and relaxing with movies. email

My name is Franklin Ijigade, an M.S. Hydrogeology student at Illinois State University. I have a BSc in hydrology and an M.Eng. in Water Resources and Environmental from the Federal University of Abeokuta, Nigeria, and the University of Ilorin, respectively. My research interest revolves around modeling integrated water resource systems for evaluating the impact of land use and climate change as it relates to environmental sustainability. Currently, I am working on developing a reactive transport model within a saturated riparian buffer (SRB) to bridge the knowledge gap on how heterogeneities impact the transformation and reduction of nitrate interacting with surface water bodies. Finding this research will enable the optimization of SRB to improve nutrient reduction and stream health conditions.
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My name is Ryan Krakowiak and I am a second-year graduate student in the Hydrogeology program. I graduated from Illinois State University in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental systems science and sustainability and a minor in water sustainability. Currently, I am a teaching assistant for the GIS courses GEO303, 304, and 363 here at ISU. My primary interests involve using GIS and remote sensing along with machine learning to study the impacts of climate change on groundwater and surface water. Outside of Felmley Hall, I enjoy riding my bike on long stretches of Constitution Trail. 
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Hannah Lartey, a Hydrogeology graduate student at Illinois State University, earned her B.Sc. in Earth Science from the University of Ghana. Following her degree, she gained practical experience at Newmont Golden Ridge, where she conducted rock sampling and core logging for alteration analysis and utilized Acquire software for QAQC. She also employed Vulcan and Minesight for ore mineral geological modeling. Her thesis focuses on analyzing phosphorus load trends and their controlling factors within Illinois watersheds. She employs statistics, GIS, and machine learning in R for data analysis. email

I am Kriti Panta, a graduate student at Illinois State University, pursuing a master’s degree in Hydrogeology. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, where I developed a strong foundation in earth sciences and environmental studies. My research and thesis focus on the depletion of glaciers and its impact on the water balance in Nepal, a critical issue given the region’s reliance on glacial meltwater for freshwater sources, domestic, agriculture, and hydropower uses. My research integrates remote sensing, GIS analysis, and field-based hydrological measurements to evaluate changes in glacier-fed water systems. With millions relying on Himalayan glaciers, my study contributes to sustainable water management and climate adaptation strategies.

Jackline Amma Timah, a Hydrogeology graduate student at Illinois State University, holds a B.Sc. in Earth Science from the University of Ghana. Her research there involved modeling water abstraction impacts from mining. Currently, her Master’s research utilizes drone-based multispectral and thermal imagery and machine learning to map soil moisture in saturated buffer zones. This work is vital for understanding soil moisture’s role in nutrient cycling, enhancing water quality, and promoting agricultural sustainability. Proficient in Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Jackline is also a UI/UX designer and teaches GIS.
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