Brittany Huhmann
19 Hanson St, Somerville, MA 02143
(573) 694-9056
bhuhmann@gmail.com
Education
In Progress
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
Ph.D. Student in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thesis Research: Arsenic mobility in groundwater in Bangladesh
Advisor: Dr. Charles Harvey
2013
The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering
GPA 4.00/4.00
Thesis Research: Arsenic mobility in groundwater as controlled by iron mineral redox transformations
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Scherer
2010
Washington University, St. Louis, MO
B.A. in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Summa Cum Laude, GPA 3.99/4.00
Ernest J. Ohle Award for most promising graduate in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Honors Thesis: Toxic element speciation and mobility during wet storage of coal fly ash
Advisor: Dr. Jeff Catalano
Pathfinder Program in Environmental Sustainability
Interdisciplinary four-year program on science and environmental policy
Included coursework on flood control and land management policies in Missouri, California, and Hawaii
Research Experience
2013-Present Hydrogeology Research Assistant – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow.
 Investigate arsenic mobility in groundwater in Bangladesh.
2011-2013
Environmental Geochemistry Research Assistant – The University of Iowa
 Investigated arsenic incorporation and release during Fe(II)-catalyzed recrystallization of iron oxides.
2010
Microbial Geochemistry Intern – Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
 Characterized the geochemistry and microbiology of uranium- and technetium-contaminated sediments
at the Hanford Site, WA.
2008-2010
Aqueous Geochemistry Research Assistant – Washington University
 Investigated toxic element speciation and release during the wet storage of coal fly ash.
2008-2010
Stream Geomorphology Trainee – US Geological Survey
 Applied GIS and image classification software in a land capability potential index for the Missouri River.
 Contributed to a geomorphic classification of the Lower Platte River for endangered species
management.
2007
Conservation Genetics Intern – Missouri Department of Conservation
 Participated in molecular biology laboratory studies and field surveys to enable better management of
Missouri’s native vegetation and wildlife.
2005
Neuroscience Intern – Emory University
 Investigated the role of the hormones progesterone and allopregnanolone in recovery from traumatic
brain injury and stroke.
Environmental Policy Experience
2013
Geoscience Policy Intern – American Geosciences Institute
 Tracked geoscience policy in Congress including mining law reform, natural hazards legislation, nuclear
waste policy, and NASA reauthorization.
 Wrote 800-word hearing summaries, prepared natural hazards fact sheets, redesigned the Natural
Hazards Caucus website, and composed issue articles for member society publications.
 Prepared 200-word monthly review summaries on Congressional hearings, agency publications, and
policy conferences.
2010
Student Consultant – Interdisciplinary Environmental Law Clinic
 Assisted with legal opposition to the construction of a landfill in the Mississippi River floodplain.
 Prepared memoranda on water chemistry, potential flood hazards, and state and federal regulations.
 Investigated the potential for pollutant discharge into impaired waters without an appropriate NPDES
permit.
 Wrote letters to state permitting authorities regarding regulatory non-compliance.
2007-2010
Science and Outreach Assistant – Missouri Coalition for the Environment
 Researched economic benefits of clean waters and organized information on contaminated sites in order
to prepare for political and legal action.
 Edited letters and newsletters, updated websites and databases, and prepared for outreach events.
2007-2008
Teaching Assistant – Washington University
 Advised students and prepared materials for classes on the science and policy of endangered species and
land management on state and federal lands, such as the Missouri glades and the Mojave Desert.
Community-Based Environmental Health Experience
2012-2013
Water Resources Research Assistant – DHAN Foundation, Madurai, India
 Assessed the systems dynamics and sustainability of rainwater harvesting in southern India
 Collected and analyzed GIS data on the distribution of rainwater harvesting ponds in relation to
population densities and agricultural practices.
 Gathered information from residents on the management of rainwater harvesting ponds and uses of the
water.
2011
Organic Agriculture Volunteer – AEICAEM Organic Farming Cooperative, Ecuador
 Traveled independently to live and work with an organic farming cooperative in the Ecuadorian Sierra.
 Cared for crops and animals, sold produce at outdoor markets, and forged friendships with individuals of
diverse backgrounds.
2010-2011
Administrative Assistant (AmeriCorps) – Dorothy Day House
 Led teams of 10-15 people to plan, prepare, and serve nutritionally balanced meals for up to a hundred
guests.
 Coordinated with teams of 5-7 people to plan social justice roundtables, manage a community garden,
and provide showers and vaccinations.
2010-2011
Organic Agriculture Volunteer (AmeriCorps) – Villa Maria Farm
 Worked in the greenhouse and gardens of an organic farm that donates half of its produce to families
lacking access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
 Staffed special events such as the annual Harvest Day Festival and sold produce in the farm store.
Science Education and Outreach Experience
2010-2011
Environmental Education Assistant (AmeriCorps) – Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center
 Assisted the center’s environmental educator in teaching grade school students about nutrition,
gardening, soils, and environmental sustainability.
 Collaborated with employees to create and maintain websites and Facebook pages for the organization’s
programs and to create a grounds map for retreatants and visitors.
2010-2011
Tutor – WyzAnt Tutoring
 Helped high school and college students to improve their understanding of chemistry, math, and Spanish
coursework.
 Created and implemented a range of learning exercises, including worksheets, practice problems,
storytelling, and conversation.
Publications
Huhmann, B.L.; Neumann, A.; Boyanov, M.I.; Scherer, M.M. Influence of As(V) on Fe(II)-catalyzed Fe Oxide
Transformations. In preparation.
Catalano, J.G.; Huhmann, B.L.; Luo, Y.; Mitnick, E.H.; Slavney, A.; Wang, F.; Giammar, D.E. Metal Release and
Speciation Changes during Wet Aging of Coal Fly Ashes. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2012, DOI: 10.1021/es302807b.
Luo, Y.; Giammar, D.E.; Huhmann, B.L.; and Catalano, J.G. Speciation of Selenium, Arsenic, and Zinc in Class C Fly Ash.
Energy Fuels. 2011, 25 (7), pp 2980-2987, DOI: 10.1021/ef2005496.
Jacobson, R.B.; Elliott, C.M.; and Huhmann, B.L. Development of a channel classification to evaluate potential for
cottonwood restoration, lower segments of the Middle Missouri River, South Dakota and Nebraska: U.S. Geological
Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5208. 2010, 38 p.
Elliott, C.M.; Huhmann, B.L.; Jacobson, R.B. Geomorphic Classification of the Lower Platte River, Nebraska: U.S.
Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2009–5198. 2009, 29 p.
Posters and Presentations
Huhmann, B.L., Scherer, M.M., Neumann, A. Atom exchange between aqueous Fe(II) and Fe oxides: Fate of As(V),
Goldschmidt Geochemistry Conference, 2012
Huhmann, B.L. Microbial Characterization of Hanford Site Sediments, DOE Science and Energy Research Challenge, 2010
Huhmann, B.L. Mineral-Water Interface Reactions as Constraints on Hematite Formation Conditions, NASA-MOSGC
Conference, 2009
Huhmann, B.L. Missouri to the Mojave: Pathfinder Program in Environmental Sustainability, NASA-MOSGC Conference,
2008
Selected Laboratory Techniques
Geochemistry:
 Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
 Oxic and anoxic powder X-ray diffraction (XRD)
 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry
(ICP-MS)
 Oxic and anoxic BET surface area determination
 Use of an anaerobic glovebox
Molecular Biology
 DNA isolation from soil samples and tree cores
 Real time PCR
 Gel electrophoresis
 DNA clean-up
 DNA cloning
Computer Skills
ArcMap, ENVI, ERDAS Imagine, Stella, Geochemist’s Workbench, Java programming, Sigma Plot, Igor, Kaleidagraph,
website design with Dreamweaver, Wordpress, and Blogger
Community Service
 Mentor for University of Iowa students who violated university policy (2012-2013)
 Member of the River City Housing Collective, a consensus-based community where I cooked vegan and gluten-free
meals monthly for a house of 17 people, planned skill shares, and informally mentored younger students (2011-2013)
 E-mentor for Pennsylvania high school women interested in chemistry (2010-2011)
 Education and health volunteer in Honduras and Panama (2007, 2009)
Selected Scholarships and Awards
 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (2013-Present)
 Kersten-Iowa Water Pollution Control Association Scholarship (2012)
 Ernest J. Ohle Award for most promising graduate in Earth and Planetary Sciences (2010)
 3rd place, Environmental Division, Department of Energy’s Science and Energy Research Challenge (2010)
 National Merit Scholarship (2006-2010)
 Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship (2006-2010)
 Washington University Eliot Scholarship (2006-2010)
 Missouri Academic Scholarship (2006-2010)
 Society of Exploration Geophysicists Scholarship (2007-2010)