Team
Core Team Members
Nick Loschin: Nick is a PhD student investigating environmental risk assessment frameworks for genetically engineered crops in the US. He holds a BS degree in Environmental Science from NC State, and collaborates with the US EPA on developing risk assessment approaches. Nick recently completed his cohort associated with the NSF-funded AgBioFEWS program operated through the Genetic Engineering and Society (GES) Center at NC State.
Corie Griebel: Corie recently completed her MS at NC State within the Natural Resources Management and Policy program. Corie’s MS thesis focused on investigating methods and approaches to co-create knowledge with stakeholders, also collaborating with the STEPS Center. She holds a BS in Environmental Science from NC State. She currently serves as a research assistant.
Madison Horgan: Madison is a PhD student in the Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering program. She holds a MS in Sustainability Engineering from Arizona State University, and BS in Material Science & Engineering and Philosophy from NC State. Madison’s PhD will focus on understanding the life cycle impacts of alternative proteins.
Christopher Oates: Chris is a PhD student investigating phosphorus source tracking methods to identify priority areas and impacts on local communities in North Carolina. He is also a member of the STEPS Center, where he received the 2023 STEPS Center Director’s Fellowship Award. He holds a BS in Biological and Agricultural Engineering from NC State. Dr. Natalie Nelson serves as his primary faculty advisor, and is co-advised by Dr. Grieger.
Dr. Katariina Koivusaari: Dr. Koivusaari is a postdoc focused on stakeholder engagement, outreach, and policy implications of alternative proteins. She is collaborating with the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State. Dr. Koivusaari obtained her PhD in Food Science from the University of Helsinki.
Dr. Nourou Barry: Dr. Barry is a postdoc in the GES Center at NC State and a member of the STEPS Center. Dr. Katie Barnhill serves as his primary faculty advisory, and is co-advised by Dr. Grieger for his work on a STEPS-funded project on stakeholder engagement.
Dr. Christopher Cummings: Dr. Cummings is a Senior Research Scholar in the GES Center. He continues to assist Grieger et al. on USDA/NIFA grants and other research projects.
Student and Postdoc Collaborations
Ilaria Cimadori (PhD Student); Ilaria is a PhD student at the Yale School of the Environment. She holds a MA in comparative international relations from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Italy. Dr. Grieger supervises Ms. Cimadori on a USDA/NIFA-funded grant and also serves on her graduate student committee at Yale.
Previous Team Members and Students
Dr. Ashton Merck: Dr. Merck served as a Postdoc working in the STEPS Center. She holds a PhD in History from Duke University, specializing in risk and regulation within food and ag sectors.
Mumtahina Riza: Ms. Riza completed her MS in Biology in spring 2023, focusing on potential environmental risks of P-capturing materials in eutrophic waters. She now serves a as PhD student at the University of Central Florida.
Lakshmi Tharuni Sivakumar: Lakshmi was a research assistant (Nov. 2023-May 2024), focusing on project management activities. She graduated with a MS in Engineering Management from NC State.
Dr. Wei Wei: Dr. Wei served as Research Associate in 2022-2023, working in risk assessment and risk management of biotechnologies in food and agriculture.
Becca Michael: Ms. Rebecca Michael served as a Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, involved in conducting interviews with the Sweet-APPS, GRIP4PSI project (2020-2021).
David Glas: Mr. Glas served as a Risk Science Communications Expert (2020-2021).
Dr. Adam Kokotovich, Dr. Grieger supervised on USDA/NIFA grant (2019-2021).
Collaborations across NC State and beyond
- Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS). NSF-funded Science and Technology Center. Dr. Grieger serves a co-Director of Knowledge Transfer as well as PI of STEPS-funded research projects.
- Genetic Engineering and Society Center, NC State. Dr. Grieger serves as Executive Committee Member, and incoming Director, of the GES Center.
- Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State. Dr. Grieger serves as the Associate Director for Outreach and Engagement.
- Society for Risk Analysis. Dr. Grieger serves as a SRA Board Member (2023-2026) and recently served a President for the local chapter of SRA in North Carolina (2024).
- US-EU Communities of Research (CORs), focused on nano-environmental, health, and safety of nanotechnology and nanomaterials. Dr. Grieger serves as the US-lead for the Risk Management & Control COR group (2019-present).
- Research Triangle Nanotechnology Network (RTNN), NC State. Dr. Grieger serves as RTNN faculty member.
- Center for Human Health & Environment (CHHE), NC State. Dr. Grieger serves as a full member of CHHE.