Explored the associations between sociodemographic factors and inorganic contaminants in water and air as part of the MEMCARE Superfund Research Center.Research projects:1) Sociodemographic disparities in mercury exposure from US coal-fired electricity generating units2) Multiscale Attributes of Drinking Water Contamination and Sociodemographic Disparities in the United States3) Evaluating and predicting mixtures of drinking water contamination using machine learning methods… Show more Explored the associations between sociodemographic factors and inorganic contaminants in water and air as part of the MEMCARE Superfund Research Center.Research projects:1) Sociodemographic disparities in mercury exposure from US coal-fired electricity generating units2) Multiscale Attributes of Drinking Water Contamination and Sociodemographic Disparities in the United States3) Evaluating and predicting mixtures of drinking water contamination using machine learning methods in the United States4) Evaluating household tap water variability in the Nurses' Health Study Show less

Worked in the Office of Children's Health Protection's Regulatory Support and Science Policy Division to conduct research that aids in regulatory development, human health risk assessment, and toxicology related to children's environmental health. Research issues relating to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).Research projects:1) Exploring susceptibility of early-life exposure to endocrine… Show more Worked in the Office of Children's Health Protection's Regulatory Support and Science Policy Division to conduct research that aids in regulatory development, human health risk assessment, and toxicology related to children's environmental health. Research issues relating to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).Research projects:1) Exploring susceptibility of early-life exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and cancer development with respect to establishing an age-dependent adjustment factor through a systematic literature review2) Developing case studies to illustrate the relevance of aggregate exposure assessments for lifestage exposure to environmental chemicals Show less

Performed logistics for organic biomonitoring project to measure and compare pesticide metabolite levels in families eating organic and conventionally produced foods

Coordinated over 30 internships between students from the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Public Health and community based organizations over the course of 9 months

Designed construction, modification, and closure of landfills using Civil 3D under project engineer's supervision to create base grades, perform stormwater drainage calculations, and implement erosion and sediment control procedures

Instructed students and marked papers and projects for Introduction to Structural Engineering course.

Built upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) digester funded by the Gates Foundation to be implemented for waste treatment in third-world countries under Dr. Marc Deshusses. Analyzed methane, ammonia, nitrogen, volatile fatty acid, and COD tests using gas chromatography to determine reactor efficiency.

Led undergraduates in residential hall by providing resources, planning programs, and mentoring students.

Optimized ceramic water filters for families living in rural Uganda with Bringing Hope to the Family. Determined prevalence and danger of harmful bacteria in varying water sources around Kyenjojo district by collecting samples and conducting coliform count and gram stain tests.Working with Bringing Hope to the Family, determined prevalence and danger of harmful bacteria in varying water sources for families living in rural Uganda around Kyenjojo district by collecting samples and… Show more Optimized ceramic water filters for families living in rural Uganda with Bringing Hope to the Family. Determined prevalence and danger of harmful bacteria in varying water sources around Kyenjojo district by collecting samples and conducting coliform count and gram stain tests.Working with Bringing Hope to the Family, determined prevalence and danger of harmful bacteria in varying water sources for families living in rural Uganda around Kyenjojo district by collecting samples and conducting coliform count and gram stain tests.Created prototype ceramic water disc filters of varying porosities to optimize the treatment devices. Ran samples of contaminated water through the various samples and ran total coliform and total nitrogen tests on each to determine the bacteria removal efficiency and flow rate of each filter. All of the filters, testing apparatuses, and procedures were designed and developed independently in order to better understand how clean drinking water may be better obtained in developing countries. Presented results in a written report and oral presentation to graduate with departmental distinction.Features: - http://pratt.duke.edu/about/news/alumni-profile-mona-dai- https://dukeforward.duke.edu/article/mona-dai-15-on-engineering-clean-water-solutions-beyond-technology- http://pratt.duke.edu/news/mona-dai-treating-contaminated-drinking-water-uganda- https://www.nae.edu/146847.aspx Show less

RIPP Engage Fellowship: Designed, developed, and implemented human waste water sanitation system incorporating anaerobic digestion, nitrification, passive solar sterilization, and electrical generation in rural West African community.Feature: http://dukeengage.duke.edu/student-development/staying-connected/post-experience-funding/ripp-engage/13-fellows/mona-dai

Analyzed water and methane molecular gas emissions from comet c/2002 T7 (LINEAR) using infrared spectroscopy under Dr. Erika Gibb. Determined comet’s rotational and spin temperature using energy transitions between molecules from P and R branch lines.