About

Professor Diana Aga, the driving force behind the Aga Lab for Environmental Research and Testing (ALERT) at UB. Driven by a mission to understand our environment better, Professor Aga and her team at ALERT are dedicated to tracking contaminants that often go unnoticed but can have profound effects on our health and ecosystems. They're particularly focused on persistent pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, and even minute nanomaterials that can linger in our surroundings.

A noteworthy aspect of ALERT's work revolves around the global monitoring of antibiotics in our water systems. With rising concerns about antibiotic resistance, Professor Aga's team is tracking how these drugs flow through wastewater treatment plants and into our natural waters, aiming to understand and combat the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the environment.

However, Professor Aga's vision doesn't stop at just detection. ALERT is also deeply involved in finding solutions. The team actively evaluates various cutting-edge methods to cleanse our waters of pharmaceuticals, antimicrobials, and antibiotic-resistant genes. Whether it's through innovative biological treatments or chemical processes, they’re on the front lines of making our wastewater systems safer and more efficient.

For those who train under Professor Aga, it's an opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field. Her expertise in devising precise methods to detect organic and heavy metal contaminants, using state-of-the-art techniques like chromatography and mass spectrometry, sets her apart. Whether it's gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, Dr. Aga's students are equipped with the knowledge to navigate complex environmental challenges.