Meet the Team
Dr. Lisa Morano, Professor
Biology & Microbiology
Dr. Morano is the Director of the Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability.
She is an ecologist interested in plant-microbe interactions and in questions of agro-ecology.
Her research focuses on diseases of grapevines and factors that influence fruit quality
and ultimately the taste of wine. She is passionate about creating sustainable systems
in agriculture and protecting important ecosystems so they may continue to serve the
planet.
Dr. Vassilios Tzouanas, Associate Professor
Engineering Technology
Dr. Tzouanas is a chemical engineer whose work focuses on the development and application
of engineering and process technologies to solve important societal problems. His
research includes process modeling, simulation and control design, and renewable energy
systems. He is interested in engineering solutions to energy and sustainability issues.
Dr. Michael Tobin, Assistant Professor
Biology
Dr. Tobin is a plant physiological ecologist focusing on the uptake and transport
of water through plants. His research investigates the effect of drought and biodiversity
on the community dynamics of tall-grass prairie. He mentors students establishing
a pocket prairie near UHD to enhance local biodiversity in this highly developed urban
landscape. He is also interested in the use of native plants in residential landscaping.
Dr. Rachael Hudspeth, Assistant Director of Assessment Biology
Dr. Hudspeth is the Assistant Director of Assessment and an adjunct biology faculty
member in the Department of Natural Sciences. She is a botanist who studied the epidermal
anatomy of mature Sarracenia alata leaves. Her current interests are stewardship and sustainability. She manifests those
interests through mentoring UHD Compost Center volunteers, co-mentoring the UHD Garden
and Compost Club, and volunteering at native wetlands.
Dr. Sanghamitra Saha, Lecturer
Biology
Dr Saha is a Lecturer at the Dept of Natural Sciences. Her research interests are
in plant-microbe interaction and phytoremediation. She advises and mentors students
on sustainability related grants, and uses the resources from the garden for her research.
Adriana Penabad-Galva, Sustainability Coordinator
Adriana Penabad, the Center for Urban Agriculture and Sustainability's Sustainability
Coordinator, manages student programs, supports students participating in sustainability
projects, and fosters collaborative partnerships to engage the campus and community
in programs and practices. Adriana is a PennState graduate student studying Renewable
Energy. She is passionate about gardening and recycling on campus.