About Our Team: Capone Lab: Indiana University

People

Drew Capone, Ph.D.

Following a brief stint in cosmetics manufacturing, Drew taught high school math and chemistry with the US Peace Corps in rural Mozambique. After returning to the US, Drew received his PhD in Environmental Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology and completed a Post Doc in Environmental Sciences and Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Drew's research focuses on communities that are on the margins of society - in the US and internationally - where water and sanitation infrastructure is inadequate. He has broad interests in the field of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), environmental microbiology, microbial risk assessment, enteric pathogen fate and transport, and evaluating interventions to interrupt the transmission of infectious diseases. Currently he is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at IU-Bloomington.

Ph.D. Students

Nuzrath "Nuz" Jahan

Nuzrath Jahan is a medical doctor from the southern state of Tamil Nadu, in India. She is interested in WaSH and climate justice. She did her MPH from ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, India, during which she worked on water and public health projects in Chennai, India, including a project on anti-microbial resistance among E. coli isolates from water samples in central India. Currently, she is a third year PhD student. Her research focuses on evaluating how sanitation interventions interrupt the transmission of enteric pathogens. Outside work, she is a cat mom and loves cooking.

Fatema Mahua

Fatema Akter Mahua is a public health graduate from Bangladesh, holding an MPH and BSc in Public Health and Informatics from Jahangirnagar University. Her MPH thesis focused on antibiotic residues in wastewater and their impact on antimicrobial resistance. She began her research career at the National Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory (BLRI), Bangladesh, focusing on antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic residues in the environment, and animal-derived food commodities. Later, at icddr,b, she conducted qualitative research on early child development and maternal health.

Currently, as a first-year PhD student in Environmental Health at Indiana University Bloomington, she is focused on environmental microbial disease surveillance, exploring environmental drivers of microbial diseases, and studying antimicrobial resistance and its public health impacts. Outside of her professional commitments, Fatema enjoys unwinding by watching series, traveling with friends, and cherishing moments with her loved ones.

Matthew Quansah

Matthew Quansah began his career teaching Middle School General Science and Social Studies before working as a Laboratory Assistant in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Cape Coast, where he earned a bachelor's degree in water and Sanitation. After obtaining his bachelor's degree, he served as a teaching assistant and senior laboratory technician in the same department. He completed an MPH in Environmental/Occupational Health and Sustainability at Eastern Kentucky University. Currently, he is a first-year PhD student. His research interests include water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and using flies as biomonitors of environmental contamination. Outside the lab, he enjoys bowling and listening to music.

Michael Adeniji

Micheal Adeniji is a first-year PhD student in the Environmental Health program at Indiana University’s School of Public Health. He completed his undergraduate studies in Water Resources Management in Nigeria, where he worked on water treatment and public health projects. These included assessing water quality in labor and delivery settings, and exploring the efficiency of moringa plant seeds in water treatment. He later earned a master's degree in environmental studies at Kentucky State University, focusing on the impacts of human activities, such as agricultural practices, on the environment. Currently, his research focuses on WASH and how sanitation interventions can interrupt the transmission of enteric pathogens. Outside of his academic pursuits, Micheal is a passionate photographer and content creator.

Master's Students

Emory Hoelscher-Hull

Emory Hoelscher-Hull previously worked in the Capone Lab as a Research Technician is now an MS Student. She graduated with a B.S. in Microbiology with a concentration in Environmental Health from Montana State University in Spring 2023. As an undergrad, Emory worked on a project analyzing the cumulative risk of inorganic water contaminants in private drinking water wells in rural Montana. Broadly, she is interested in the impact that WASH and climate change have on human health. She is excited to continue working on WASH in the Capone lab through the QUEST Study. Outside work, Emory loves to cook and spend time outdoors.

Undergraduate Students

Anna Heintzman

Anna Heintzman is a senior at Indiana University pursuing a Biochemistry BS and an East Asian Languages and Cultures BA. Currently, Anna is on a pre-med track, with aspirations of entering the field of either gynecology or geriatrics. In addition to beginning work in the Capone Lab, she is a Natural Sciences Editorial Board Member for the IU Journal of Undergraduate Research (IUJUR), and she volunteers at Hospice through IU Health. In her free time, Anna enjoys cooking, baking, and—of course—eating, a lifestyle she wouldn’t be able to maintain without frequent trips to the SRSC.

Hafsa Khan

Hafsa Khan is a junior at Indiana University pursuing dual degrees in Biology and Environmental Science. She is a part of the Emerging Scholars Research Experience for Undergraduate Women. Hafsa aspires to be a climate physician, merging her passions for medicine and the environment. In addition to the Capone Lab, Hafsa is president of the Muslim Student Association on campus. In her free time, Hafsa loves to read and sew her own clothing. One of her favorite ways to relax is to watch a period piece while eating popcorn.

Allison Holder

Allison Holder is a junior at Indiana University pursuing a Human Biology BS with a concentration in Human Health and Disease with minors in Epidemiology and Psychology. She hopes to one day pursue a career as an epidemiologist. Outside the lab, Allison enjoys playing golf, going to the gym, and working as an oncology patient care technician.

Parisa Shirani

Parisa Shirani is a sophomore at Indiana University studying Molecular Life Sciences. Parisa is currently in the Emerging Scholars Research Program for Undergraduate Women as well as RAM (Remote Area Medical) Indiana. Parisa is pursuing a Pre-Med track, aspiring to become a physician with a particular focus on pediatrics and oncology. Outside of the lab , Parisa works as a caregiver for seniors, is involved with her sorority, enjoys traveling, and is always looking to try new things!

Former Students

Undergraduate Students: Lena Babiker (2024), Bre Lybarger (2024), Riley McCurdy (2024), Zach Martin (2024)