Meet The Staff

Dr. Cherkauer has been a valued member of our NRES-affiliated faculty for many years, with extensive expertise in Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering. His research focuses on surface water hydrology, water resources, climate change impacts, and remote sensing. With his deep experience and passion for our field.

Dr. Cherkauer is a professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, having earned his B.A. in Physics from Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois; an M.S. in Aerospace Engineering (Environmental Remote Sensing) from the University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado; and a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.  He will continue to serve as the Director of the Indiana Water Resources Research Center (IWRRC).

Dr. Keith Cherkauer

Dr. Shee brings an impressive academic background, having earned her B.S. in Animal Science from Ohio State University, and both her M.S. in Animal Science and Ph.D. in Entomology from Purdue University. Before joining NRES, she gained valuable experience in agricultural regulation at the Office of Indiana State Chemist and taught courses on human-environmental relations at the John Martinson Honors College at Purdue University.

Dr. Shee specializes in insect ecology and plant-insect interactions. Her research interests lie at the fascinating intersection of science and cultural representations of the environment. She is deeply passionate about conservation and is dedicated to exploring ways in which individuals and communities can address our current environmental challenges.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, watching wildlife in her backyard (bugs included), and caring for her small zoo.

Dr. Takhellambam, our esteemed Post-Doctoral Research Assistant, will take on the role of Co-Instructor for NRES 497 (Senior Capstone) and NRES 338 (Environmental Field Skills). He received his Ph.D. in Biosystem Engineering from Auburn University, with a minor in statistics, and a master's degree in Hydrology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India. 

 His research focuses on hydrological modeling of surface and subsurface water resources, as well as assessing the effects of hydroclimate, hydroclimatic extremes, and the use of deep learning approaches. In his spare time, he enjoys sports, and trekking and is interested in language learning

Dr. Bijoychandra Takhellambam

Mandy has been advising at Purdue University for over seven years. Prior to joining the NRES staff, Mandy has advised in Purdue’s Exploratory Studies program and Daniels School of Business (formerly Krannert School of Management). She earned her Bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Valparaiso University, and she earned her Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana University South Bend. A native of Indiana, Mandy enjoys traveling, reading, ballroom dancing, and playing board games. She looks forward to helping students who are passionate about making the Earth a better place!

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mandy Chalk Marquardt

Cora Chavez, Administrative Assistant at NRES & OAP, brings valuable expertise in Business Administration to the team. Her primary goal is to contribute to the success of students through her dedication and support. With a passion for helping others, Cora is excited to make a positive impact and assist in any way possible. 

In addition to her professional pursuits, Cora enjoys pursuing her hobbies during her free time. She cherishes moments spent with her family, appreciating the bonds they share. Exploring nature through trail walks is another activity that brings her joy and rejuvenation.