Meet the members of the Venier Lab
Marta Venier, PhD – Principal Investigator
Dr. Marta Venier is an environmental chemist and assistant professor at the Paul O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. In her research she employs analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry techniques to study the fate, transport, and behavior of persistent organic pollutants including both legacy and emerging pollutants in the indoor and outdoor environment and in consumer products. Since November 2019, she has been leading the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN), a monitoring program funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Marta moved to the U.S. from Italy in 2004 and she is a first generation PhD. She brought with her a deep love for food, languages, and beauty. She loves cooking, hiking, and traveling with her husband and their two daughters.
Karen Arnold – Senior Technician
Karen grew up in a small town in central Indiana. She graduated in 1989 from IU-Kokomo with a B.S. in Biological and Physical Sciences. Karen worked for 5 years in the chem lab doing real time analysis for the melt shops at Haynes International. Her time at Haynes International consisted of X-ray fluorescence, optical omissions, atomic absorption, induced coupled plasma, LECO testing for carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and corrosion testing of the Hastelloy brands. She relocated to southern Indiana in 1994 after meeting her husband.
Karen began working on the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN) in 1995. She has over 28 years experience with PCB and pesticide analysis. She has spent a lot of time during those 28 years with GC instruments, making her the GC guru in the lab. Karen earned a master’s degree from IU-Bloomington in 2014.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family—especially her grandchildren—whether outside driving their cars, shooting Nerf guns, playing with the water table, or swimming.
Staci Capozzi - Assistant Scientist
Dr. Staci L. Capozzi earned a Ph.D. in Environmental Science with a concentration in Environmental Chemistry from Rutgers University. Her graduate research utilized mass spectrometry to evaluate organic contaminant dehalogenation in sewer systems and she also analyzed a large subsurface monitoring database to identify contaminant sources, allocate mobile constituents, and elucidate microbial dehalogenation processes. Dr. Capozzi completed a postdoctoral position at the University of Maryland in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. As a visiting scientist at Montana State University’s Center for Biofilm Engineering, she also applied advanced microscopy techniques to study biofilm development on activated carbon amendments for PCB bioremediation in sediments.
With experience as an environmental consultant, she now serves as Project Director of the Great Lakes Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Network in Dr. Marta Venier’s lab. Dr. Capozzi's research is focused on understanding the spatiotemporal trends of persistent organic pollutants, source identification, and emerging chemical threats to the Great Lakes. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, cooking, and spending time with her cat, Ozzie.
Jim Bays – Field Technician
Jim joined the Integrated Atmospheric Deposition Lab in 2005. He earned his undergraduate degree in anthropology and biology from Ball State. Outside of the lab, Jim is a passionate gardener.
Daniel Lehman – Data Manager
Daniel grew up in northern Indiana. He received a BS and MS in Environmental Sciences from IU - Bloomington. He joined the IADN Lab in 2015 in the role of data
manager.
Previous research experience includes soil biogeochemistry focused on mycorrhizal influence on carbon and nitrogen cycles, and the biogeochemistry of Mars analogue environments. Daniel and his family spend their time on a hobby-farm where they raise Alpine dairy goats, chickens, and an assortment of other furry and feathered creatures.
Kevin Romanak – Specialty Technician
Kevin Romanak grew up in Winfield, Ind., a small township near Crown Point. He moved to Bloomington in 2006 and fell in love with its natural beauty, the feeling of community, and how easily bikeable it is. He received his BS in 2010 in Environmental Sciences and his MS in Environmental Sciences in 2014. He joined the IADN team in 2011 and currently he is in charge of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analyses in air and precipitation as well as other special projects. Kevin loves a good problem to solve.
Aside from research, Kevin has a desire for learning/teaching, creating, and volunteer service. He is an Emergency Medical Technician and helps teach those classes at IU. He is a certified Wilderness First Responder and is Level III cave rescue certified with National Cave Rescue Commission. He is a representative for his local neighborhood community, engaging in discussions and solutions for housing and development as well as tree planting initiatives and neighborhood cleanups. He is also the treasurer of the local caving organization, Bloomington Indiana Grotto. In his spare time, Kevin enjoys building, painting, and woodworking and absolutely loves the outdoors including caving, kayaking, and diving.
Chunjie Xia – Post-Doctoral Associate
Chunjie Xia, originally from China, has a bachelor's and PhD in Chemical Engineering. He embarked on his academic journey at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), where he began as a postdoctoral research sssociate in February 2015.
He continued his research at SIUC, pursuing another PhD degree in Environmental Engineering commencing in January 2018. His research mainly focuses on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) photocatalytic degradation using nanoscale zero-valent iron for water reuse.
Prior to completing his doctoral studies at SIUC, Chunjie joined the Venier Lab in March 2021 as a postdoctoral research associate, joining the IADN team. He also works on developing PFAS analyses in consumer products such as kids’ products and fast-food packaging materials, aiming to elucidate potential exposure pathways of PFAS to human health in daily life contexts. In his work he employs LC-MS/MS and GC-MS.
When not in the lab, he spends time with his wife and two daughters.
Sydney Brady – PhD Student
Sydney grew up in Hawaii but has spent the last handful of years of Indiana.
She earned her B.S. degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Constitutional Studies from the University of Notre Dame in 2021, where her time was spent researching biogeochemical cycling and playing club rugby.
Sydney joined the Venier Lab in the fall of 2021, and her research currently focuses on chemical pollution in biota. Specifically, she has researched flame retardants, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, and PFAS in avian serum, fish, and wildlife feces.
When not in the laboratory, Sydney enjoys long-distance running, reading, and gardening.
Ozlem Sadik - PhD Student
Ozlem earned her bachelor's and master’s degrees in Chemistry from Türkiye. Formerly, she worked for the Atmospheric Deposition Network (IADN) project from 2012 to 2015.
In 2023, she began her PhD in the Environmental Science program in the Venier group. Her research interests revolve around understanding the fate and trends of organic pollutants. Currently, she is delving into the investigation of Organophosphate Esters (OPEs) in air samples.
Outside of the laboratory, she finds joy in discovering new places, experimenting with various cuisines, and learning new things.
Yaw Essandoh - PhD Student
Yaw earned his Master's degree in Environmental Science from Indiana University and a Bachelor's degree in Laboratory Technology from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
Yaw joined the Venier Lab in the fall of 2022. His current research focuses on using non-invasive approaches to assess personal and wildlife exposure to emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), current-use pesticides (CUPs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
Outside of the laboratory, Yaw enjoys spending time outdoors, playing soccer, and expressing his musical talents through playing instruments like the drums.
Brenton Watson - PhD Student
Brenton earned his bachelor's degree from the Ohio State University in Environmental and Natural Resources while specializing in Environmental Molecular Science. During his undergraduate studies, he was an undergraduate research assistant at the Ohio State Soil, Water, and Environment Lab, as well as a lab assistant in the Ohio State Environmental Microbiology and Ecology Lab.
Brenton joined the Venier Lab in the fall of 2025. His research includes examining the transport mechanisms of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their long-term fate throughout the Great Lakes Region.
Outside of his studies, he enjoys rock climbing, trying new foods, and spending time with friends and family.
Matthew Glenn Awuni – Masters Student
Matthew completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, worked as a Gold Assayer at Goldfields Ghana Limited. He analyzed gold concentrations and cyanide levels in tailings, contributing to environmental monitoring and ensuring compliance with Ghana’s EPA standards.
Matthew is currently a master’s student studying environmental science at the O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He joined the Venier lab in fall 2024 as part of his thesis track, to begin research in primates’ exposure to organic pollutants including current-use and legacy pesticides.
Outside of academic work, Matthew enjoys classical music with a particular appreciation for the works of G.F. Handel and enjoys bowling with friends.
Alhaji S Kutubu Sesay - Research Assistant
Alhaji, originally from Sierra Leone, earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Delhi, India, where his passion for environmental science began through a research project on synthesizing diesel fuel from waste cooking oil and exploring green chemistry solutions.
He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Environmental Science at Indiana University, specializing in Environmental Chemistry, Toxicology, and Risk Assessment. In the summer of 2025, Alhaji joined the lab where his work focuses on preparing and analyzing samples for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and anthracene metabolites to assess their toxicological impacts.
Outside the lab, Alhaji enjoys playing soccer, listening to Afrobeat and rap music, and traveling to explore new cultures and experiences.
Paulina McIntire – Undergraduate Research Assistant
Paulina is a current student at IU, studying Environmental Science with minors in Chemistry and Biology. She became interested in environmental chemistry due to her success in chemistry and interest in the outdoors during high school, joining the Venier Lab in fall 2023.
As an undergraduate research assistant and glassware technician, she ensures that the lab runs smoothly by preparing its glassware and tools for use and is always willing to help any lab member who asks.
As a member of the O’Neill Honors Program, Paulina will soon start her own research project in Dr. Venier's lab in the coming semesters. You can find her in the lab listening to audiobooks or Taylor Swift. She loves to hike, cook, craft, and work with plants outside of the lab.
Caden Smith – High School Volunteer
Caden was born in and grew up in Bloomington. He is a fourth-generation IU student continuing the legacy of his great-grandmother starting in 1929. He is a rising freshman majoring in Environmental Science through the O’Neill School as well as the College of Arts and Sciences.
He hopes to assist in research relating to toxic pollutants within consumer products and different species of animals, then apply this knowledge to legislative matters.
When not in the lab Caden enjoys art, running, and thrifting.
