Professor Dr. Erica Fuhrmeister

Biography

Dr. Erica Fuhrmeister is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington. She holds a PhD and MS in Environmental Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and a BS in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Fuhrmeister's research focuses on understanding the environmental transmission pathways of pathogens, particularly enteric pathogens in low- to middle-income countries. Her postdoctoral work involved investigating the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes among humans, animals, and the environment in Nairobi, Kenya, using metagenomics. In response to COVID-19, she has collaborated with researchers to survey high-touch surfaces in the community for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Her work spans both laboratory and field components internationally in regions such as Kenya and Bangladesh. Dr. Fuhrmeister emphasizes the importance of identifying reservoirs and vectors of waterborne pathogen transmission, aiming to design effective engineered water sanitation interventions. She is also committed to fostering equitable research partnerships and engaging local communities in her work.

Research Interests

Experience