Dr. Pauline Wanjugi, a 2013 Ph.D. from the Harwood lab, recently started a full-time position in the Environmental Biology Lab at the Wadsworth Center in Albany, NY. The Wadsworth Center is the research-intensive public health laboratory of the New York State Department of Health (NY-DOH). Her job will entail research into rapid molecular-based analytical methods for identifying microbial contaminants in surface waters. Duties will also include analysis of environmental samples for microbial contaminants according ELAP procedures and performance of routine quality assurance procedures. Dr. Wanjugi position also presents her with an opportunity to participate in teaching and mentoring students in the Environmental Health Sciences Department at the University at Albany’s School of Public Health and the Wadsworth Center’s Masters in Laboratory Science Program. Prior to starting the position at the NYS-DOH, Dr. Wanjugi conducted her post-doctoral work at Texas A&M University, Department of Soils and Crops, (College Station, TX), and at the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development (Cincinnati, OH).