
The Water, Health and Applied Microbiology (WHAM) Laboratory
The Water, Health and Applied Microbiology (WHAM) Laboratory is split between the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) at the University of Guelph and the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics in the College of Public Health at Temple University. The lab is currently led by Dr. Heather Murphy. The lab team consists of research fellows, graduate and undergraduate students interested in the field of water and health. The laboratory primarily focuses on microbiological contamination of water supplies and the subsequent impacts on public health.
Meet the Team

Heather Murphy
Director
Dr. Murphy has over sixteen years of experience in water/wastewater treatment, water quality, drinking water distribution, risk assessment and environmental health in both North America and abroad.
Full-Time Staff

Kristin Skiendzielewski, MPH

Peter Husnik

Townley Sorge, MPH

Brandon Spoja
Post-Doctorate Fellows

Dr. Sejin Cheong
Doctorate Students

Dr. Amilcar Bisekere
Dr. Amilcar Bisekere (DVM) is a PhD candidate in the Department of Pathobiology, with a Collaborative Specialization in One Health, at the University of Guelph. He joined the WHAM Lab in Fall 2023. A dedicated advocate for the One Health approach, his research focuses on understanding the spillover of zoonotic pathogens at human-domestic animal-wildlife interfaces, with an emphasis on the behavioral factors that shape these complex interactions. Currently, he is investigating the distribution and transmission pathways of water and fecal-borne zoonotic pathogens among people, domestic animals, and endangered lemurs in Ankarafantsika National Park, Madagascar.
He joined the WHAM Lab out of a deep concern for global health challenges and a desire to contribute to solutions. Through this opportunity, he aims to gain experience in One Health research, particularly in water quality and sanitation in low-resource settings, zoonotic disease transmission, and the use of advanced laboratory techniques. He also values the chance to collaborate with researchers committed to improving global health. Outside of research, Amilcar enjoys going to the movies and spending time with friends

Destina Mattrasingh
Masters Students

Carly Dinga
Undergraduate Students

Julia Timmoneri

Gopiga Dass
Gopiga Dass is an undergraduate sophomore biology major at Temple University. She joined the WHAM Lab in September 2022 and enjoys working on the WET Trial. Gopiga explains, “As someone who wants to enter the medical field, I am so grateful for the opportunity to contribute to public health research, as I believe both fields go hand in hand in improving the health and well-being of individuals and their families” When she is not working, Gopiga loves watching movies and visiting parks.

Abbey Robertson
Abbey joined the WHAM Lab in the summer of 2024 as an undergraduate research assistant on the rotational grazing and One Health project. Her interest in infectious disease and water inequality drew her to the lab. As she moves into her final year of studying biomedical science at the University of Guelph, she looks forward to continuing to contribute to the WHAM lab with a senior research project. When she isn’t studying, Abbey enjoys dance, reading, and being outdoors.Past Students and Staff

Debbie Lee, PhD.

Miriam Wamsley

Jemaneh Habtewold, PhD.

Erin Becker

Erica Hollman

Ilya Law
Fighting waterborne diseases in vulnerable populations since 2015