Our Team

Dr. Frederick Cheng

Principal Investigator Frederick Cheng

I am an assistant professor in critical zone hydrology in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. I was previously a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability at Colorado State University.

My research interests lie in the sustainable management of water resources by exploring interactions between hydrological and biogeochemical processes across scales. Topics of particular interest include modeling groundwater-surface water interactions, ecohydrological modeling across scales, and contaminant fate in watersheds.

Outside of the lab, I enjoy competitive ballroom dancing, bouldering, and all sorts of board games!

Meet The Team

Click on a card to flip and see more details. Click again to flip back.


Meara

M. Tolentino

PhD Student

M. Tolentino

PhD Student

My research focuses on understanding carbon dynamics across ecosystems, with an emphasis on the terrestrial–aquatic interface. I have a Bachelor's degree in the physical sciences and a Master’s in Environmental Science. My graduate work used satellite remote sensing to examine how ocean frontal features influence fishing activity in marine waters. I later contributed to oceanographic research, including hydroacoustic surveys to estimate single fish species biomass. Currently, I am a PhD student in the lab studying organic carbon across the terrestrial–coastal continuum, using remote sensing and modeling to explore coastal wetland processes. Outside of research, I enjoy strength training, cooking & baking, badminton, and hiking.

Jack

Jack Boyle

PhD Student

Jack Boyle

PhD Student

Jack is a PhD student in the lab. He holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Notre Dame, where he studied limnology and conducted studies at a field station in Northern Wisconsin. Additionally, he spent time studying the effects of PFAS biomagnification within Lake Michigan prey fish. At UVA, he studies nitrogen retention in wetlands, rivers, and lakes. Outside the lab, Jack enjoys running, playing Mario Kart, and traveling to Montana to explore the backcountry.

placeholder

Lucas Raymond

PhD Student

Lucas Raymond

PhD Student

Under Construction!

Michelle

Michelle Nguyen

MS Student

Michelle Nguyen

MS Student

I am an MS student in the lab, with my research focusing on modeling nitrogen legacies and predicting landscape-scale patterns of legacy nitrogen release. I have a bachelor's degree in computer science and environmental studies from Washington and Lee University. There, I conducted research on the erosion process of hydraulic plucking by using image processing to analyze dye dispersion in our homemade flume. I also did research at the Kansas Geological Survey, where I helped couple PyCHAMP, a Python-based hydrological model, with AquaCrop, a crop growth and water-use simulation tool, in order to enhance agricultural water management predictions. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hanging out with my two cats, Chair and Sofa, and my roommate's cat, Pingle, baking, and playing board games!

placeholder

Could be you!

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Could be you!

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Please reach out if you're an undergraduate student at UVA and are interested in being a research assistant!

Lab Alumni!

  • Yamato Motai (Spring 2026). Undergraduate Researcher.
  • Olivia Smith (Fall 2025). Undergraduate Researcher.
  • Katie Glazier (Spring 2025). Undergraduate Researcher.
  • Owen Shaffer (Spring 2025). Distinguished Major Program Thesis. The outsized role of vulnerable wetlands in nitrogen cycling across the US in the context of changing Clean Water Act protections.