Department of Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering Risk Modeling

Biography

Isabelle DeLaet is a junior expected to graduate in the spring of 2027 in Biosystems Engineering with a concentration in Biomedical Engineering and a minor in Beverage Science and Technology. She has been involved in the Risk Modeling Laboratory since January of 2024 and has presented at the Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum (UURAF). She is an active member in Alpha Epsilon where she serves as Vice President, Women in Engineering (WIE), and the Biosystems Engineering Club as the Social Chair.

Research

Isabelle’s current research is on Disinfection By-Products (DBPs). Disinfection By-Products (DBPs) are compounds that can form in water when organic matter reacts with chemical disinfectants. When ingested, they can be toxic and/or carcinogenic. The EPA regulates 11 DBPs, but unregulated DBPs may pose hazards to human health. Dose-response relationships for all DBPs have never been compared, impeding comprehensive risk assessment efforts, appropriate disinfectant application, and jeopardizing public health. A systematic literature review was conducted in order to possibly conduct risk assessments for 5 regulated and 6 unregulated DBPs. Ultimately, these risk assessments allow for comparison between disinfection and pathogen risk, helping to inform health-protective drinking water treatment practices and keep water safe for people to drink.