Sweta Ojha

Staff Scientist – Environmental and Analytical Chemistry

Sweta holds a PhD degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, West Bengal, India. Her work has focused on investigating the fate and transport of various pollutants including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Her investigations in this area involved assessment of contamination risks in drinking water systems using mapping tools, sampling and stakeholder engagement. Sweta’s research was instrumental in predicting high-risk areas of drinking water pollutants such as heavy metals and PFAS. She is experienced with methods for determining hot-spot areas using online ArcGIS for any contaminants. Sweta has prepared Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for PFAS sampling in water based on US EPA methodology and has also implemented several innovative techniques for remediation of PFAS contamination.

Featured Publications

• Ojha, Sweta, et al. “A geospatial and binomial logistic regression model to prioritize sampling for per‐and polyfluorinated alkyl substances in public water systems.” Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management (2022).
• Hoover, Anna G., Heiger-Bernays, Wendy, Ojha, Sweta and Pennell, Kelly G.. “Balancing incomplete COVID-19 evidence and local priorities: risk communication and stakeholder engagement strategies for school re-opening” Reviews on Environmental Health, vol. 36, no. 1, 2021, pp. 27-37. https://doi.org/10.1515/reveh-2020-0092
• Shirazi, Elham et al. “Building science approaches for vapor intrusion studies.” Reviews on environmental health vol. 34,3 (2019): 245-250. doi:10.1515/reveh-2019-0015