Biology Student Arianna Valte Earns Top Honors for Water Quality Research

Seton Hall University College of Arts and Sciences student Arianna E. Valte has earned statewide recognition for her undergraduate research, receiving both First Place in the Undergraduate Student Poster Competition and the prestigious Herman Zablatzky Award at the 111th Annual John J. Lagrosa Conference and Exposition.

The conference, hosted by the New Jersey Water Environment Association (NJWEA), was held on May 13, 2026 and brought together environmental professionals, researchers and students from across the region. Valte’s award-winning research poster, “Regional Patterns in Freshwater Microbial Communities Identified by 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing: Implications for Water Quality Monitoring,” earned top honors among undergraduate presenters. In addition, she received the Herman Zablatzky Award, a competitive $3,000 scholarship recognizing outstanding student achievement and dedication to the environmental sciences.

Valte’s research focuses on identifying microbial bioindicators in freshwater ecosystems and examining how microbial communities can provide insight into water quality, ecosystem health and potential public health concerns. By analyzing microbial populations across multiple freshwater sites, her work contributes to a growing body of research aimed at improving environmental and monitoring and public awareness.

“I believe that everyone deserves to know what exists in the water bodies they frequent, whether they are local residents, students or visitors,” said Valte. “By studying microbial communities, we can gain valuable insight into environmental conditions and identify potential concerns that may otherwise go unnoticed.”

What makes the project particularly meaningful is its direct connection to local communities. Five of the twelve freshwater sites included in the study are located in Essex County, allowing Valte to investigate environments frequently visited by Seton Hall students, local residents and tourists. Among the sites studied was branch Brook Park, one of New Jersey’s most visited public parks.

“I have had the opportunity to lead this project from its earliest stages and have continued collecting samples, analyzing data and expanding the scope of the research over the past year,” Valte explained. "Along the way, I have also had the privilege of working alongside several undergraduate researchers whose contributions have been instrumental to the project’s success. Research is inherently collaborative and I am incredibly grateful for the time, effort and insight they have contributed. I hope our work can help inform the public about the microbial communities that exist within these environments."

The project also reflects the transformative impact of undergraduate research experiences at Seton Hall. Through her work, Valte has developed advanced research skills while exploring her passion for environmental health and microbiology.

The project also reflects the transformative impact of undergraduate research experiences at Seton Hall. Through her work, Valte has developed advanced research skills while exploring her passion for environmental health and microbiology.

“Research has become one of the most rewarding aspects of my education at Seton Hall,” she said. “I have always been a curious person who enjoys asking questions and research has provided an outlet to investigate those questions in a meaningful way.”

Her faculty mentor, Professor Tinchun Chu, praised Valte’s dedication and contributions.

“Over the past two years, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Arianna, an outstanding undergraduate researcher whose curiosity, initiative and consistent work ethic have impressed me daily,” said Chu. “She has contributed at a level often seen only from graduate students, tackling challenging problems, communicating complex ideas clearly and helping advance our projects.

Chu noted that Valte’s accomplishments demonstrate the value of hands-on research opportunities for undergraduate students.

“These honors are well earned and speak to both the rigor of her work and presentation skills,” Chu said. “Working with Arianna has reinforced how powerful experiential research is for our students. It builds confidence, deepens subject understanding and prepares them for advanced study and future careers.”

Valte credits much of her success to Chu’s mentorship throughout the research process.

“She has been instrumental in my development as a researcher and consistently places her students’ success above her own,” said Valte. “Whether answering questions late at night or arriving on campus before sunrise to support her students, her dedication has played a significant role in both my success and my passion for scientific research.”

Inspired by her undergraduate research experience, Valte plans to pursue a master’s degree in Molecular Bioscience after graduation. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue investigating environmental health issues while working toward her long-term goal of becoming a physician.

“I believe research is one of the most important components of scientific discovery,” she said. “it allows us to transform curiosity into knowledge and meaningful solutions. My ultimate goal is to become a physician who never stops questioning, never stops seeking understanding and never loses the curiosity that first drew me toward science.”

Valte’s achievements exemplify the College of Arts and Sciences’ commitment to faculty-student research collaboration and preparing students to become leaders who use knowledge and discovery to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

Categories: Research, Science and Technology