Gabrielle String, PhD

Gabrielle String is an environmental health engineer jointly appointed in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the Department of Community and Population Health at Lehigh University. Her research is primarily focused on closing critical efficacy and effectiveness evidence gaps for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in humanitarian and development contexts. In conjunction with implementing partners, Gabrielle uses mixed-methods to evaluate the effectiveness of programs as implemented in the field. In the laboratory, her research evaluates the efficacy of WASH protocols and technologies. As an interdisciplinary researcher, Gabrielle's work contributes to strengthening WASH programming globally.

Dr. String completed her B.S. at Clarkson University and her M.S. and Ph.D. at Tufts University in mechanical engineering. Prior to joining Lehigh, Gabrielle was research faculty at Tufts University and the Chief Laboratory Scientist at a consulting laboratory studying surface disinfection with SARS-CoV-2 surrogates during the COVID pandemic.

You can also learn more about Dr. String at her Google Scholar> and ResearchGate> pages.

Education

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, 2017
• M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Tufts University, 2013
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Clarkson University, 2011

Areas of Research and Publications

Dr. String's research focuses on bringing evidence to WASH interventions in development and humanitarian contexts to inform guidance and policy. Dr. String is currently assessing the efficacy of surface disinfection protocols against the virus, which causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and surrogates. She plans to contribute evidence on: safe water storage and mediating the impacts of biofilms; improving community-managed Water Safety Plans and integrating climate and disaster risks; and, infection prevention and control on surfaces for emerging infectious diseases.

Courses