About
Jennifer Jay is a civil and environmental engineering professor at UCLA who has been teaching and conducting research for the past 18 years. Her academic career followed a brief stint as an environmental consultant, which she left after a month because she missed the school environment. Jay has taught a variety of courses at UCLA, including specialized classes such as Chemical Fate and Transport in Aquatic Environments and general education courses like Food: A Lens for Environment and Sustainability. She values the intellectual freedom academia provides, allowing her to pursue research on topics she is passionate about and contribute to solving environmental problems. Jay's research interests include antibiotic resistance and the environmental impacts of food systems, areas she explores both through her own work and by advising students on related sustainability projects. She finds fulfillment in mentoring students, helping them navigate their research and encouraging them to engage with environmental issues through topics they feel emotionally connected to. Jay is also personally invested in the intersection of food and the environment, being a vegan herself, and she emphasizes the importance of educating students about how individual choices, such as food purchasing, can influence broader environmental outcomes. She advocates for mental health and balance to maintain inspiration and productivity in academic work, encouraging students to take breaks and prioritize well-being to sustain their passion for environmental sustainability.
Research topics
- Biology
- Business
- Pedagogy
- Mathematics education
- Medical education
- Ecology
- Psychology
- Environmental health
- Medicine
- Marketing
- Economics
- Economic growth
- Biotechnology
Selected publications
GeoHealth · 2026-02-01
articleOpen accessSenior authorAbstract Antibiotic resistance is a significant threat to global public health and can disproportionately affect low‐ and middle‐ income countries (LMICs). There is a lack of studies focusing on antibiotic resistance in coral reef regions and environmental reservoirs in Central America. This study followed modified World Health Organization (WHO)'s Global Tricycle Surveillance protocols for the environmental sector to address these gaps. Water samples were collected from key areas in the lower Belize River, including above and below the Belize City, an open fish market, and sewage lagoon outfall, and coral reefs. Water samples underwent qPCR analysis for a suite of antibiotic resistance gene classes (sul1, sul2, ermF, tetA, and blaSHV), intI1, and 16S rRNA. Additionally, a subset of samples were tested for extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase (ESBL) E. coli and underwent shotgun sequencing. Results show that antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were highest and most diverse near Belize City, particularly near the treatment lagoons and open fish market. The coral reef regions had lower levels of antibiotic resistance though not void of their presence. This study is an application of a modified Global Tricycle Surveillance protocol integrated with qPCR‐ and metagenomics‐based characterization of environmental antibiotic resistance in understudied areas. Notably, data from this study indicated that ESBL‐ E. coli could potentially be used as a screening tool for environmental antibiotic resistance, as it was only present at sites that had the highest levels of ARGs.
Water · 2026-01-13
articleOpen accessSenior authorMonitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment is needed, but standardized methods are lacking. This study evaluated a cost-efficient, kit-based approach for detecting antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (AR-E. coli) and predicting multidrug-resistant E. coli (MDR-E. coli) in concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO)-impacted surface waters in Tulare, California, and Clayton, Michigan. Eighteen Tulare and six Clayton samples were analyzed using modified IDEXX Colilert-18 kits with selective antibiotics. In Round 1 of the study, 702 isolates were tested against 12 antibiotics using disk diffusion to identify ideal additions. No and low resistance to AMP was seen at the unimpacted and less-impacted sites, respectively, while up to 34% of isolates at impacted sites were resistant to AMP. The percentage of isolates resistant to erythromycin was 16% or lower at less-impacted sites, but it ranged up to 64% at impacted sites. In Round 2, 1002 isolates (1704 total) were characterized to compare modified IDEXX results with culture-based results. Resistance to ampicillin (AMP-E. coli-col) detected by IDEXX strongly correlated with MDR prevalence in Clayton (R2 = 0.71, p = 0.00197), while extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-E. coli-col) correlated with MDR prevalence in Tulare (R2 = 0.70, p < 0.0001). This observation appears to be site-specific. Findings suggest both IDEXX- and culture-based methods can serve as AMR screening tools at CAFO-impacted sites. This work supports community-based monitoring and informs standardized approaches for tracking AMR in inland waters.
Environmental Science and Pollution Research · 2026-01-12
articleOpen accessSenior authorLegacy industrial lead (Pb) contamination poses a public health problem worldwide. In Southeast Los Angeles, California, a history of concentrated industrial activity has raised concern about Pb contamination in the area's neighborhoods, particularly in Huntington Park. One former industrial facility in Huntington Park has attracted attention from both a local community environmental justice organization and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Although a 2023 report by the USEPA concluded that the Pb contamination from this site was "not significant," the 2024 reduction of the federal soil screening level for residential soil Pb-from 400 mg/kg to 200 mg/kg-prompted a reassessment. In a community-based participatory research effort,91 residential surface soil samples from Huntington Park were analyzed by XRF spectrometry and compared with 118 surface soil samples from broader Los Angeles. In Huntington Park, 85.7% and 57.2% of soils exceeded the state (80 mg/kg) and new federal (200 mg/kg) screening levels, respectively-compared to 55.9% and 19.6% citywide. Soil Pb concentration was found to be statistically significantly higher in the residential soils in Huntington Park compared to the rest of Greater Los Angeles (Mann-Whitney U, p < 0.01). Soil Pb concentrations in Huntington Park also correlated significantly with proximity to the industrial site. Notably, 49.5% of Huntington Park soils fell between the updated and the former federal screening level, highlighting the need for reevaluation of the area's contamination. These results also emphasize the need for remedial action to be taken in areas like Huntington Park, which serves as a clear example of disproportionate contaminant exposure faced by disadvantaged/minority communities.
Research Square · 2025-09-25 · 1 citations
preprintOpen accessSenior authorMonitoring Coastal Water Turbidity Using Sentinel2—A Case Study in Los Angeles
Remote Sensing · 2025-01-08 · 11 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingLos Angeles coastal waters are an ecologically important marine habitat and a famed recreational area for tourists. Constant surveillance is essential to ensure compliance with established health standards and to address the persistent water quality challenges in the region. Remotely sensed datasets are increasingly being applied toward improved detection of water quality by augmenting monitoring programs with spatially intensive and accessible data. This study evaluates the potential of satellite remote sensing to augment traditional monitoring by analyzing the relationship between in situ and satellite-derived turbidity data. Field measurements were performed from July 2021 to March 2024 to build synchronous matchup datasets consisting of satellite and field data. Correlation analysis indicated a positive relationship between satellite-derived and field-measured turbidity (R2 = 0.451). Machine learning models were assessed for predictive accuracy, with the random forest model achieving the highest performance (R2 = 0.632), indicating its robustness in modeling complex turbidity patterns. Seasonal trends revealed higher turbidity during wet months, likely due to stormwater runoff from the Ballona Creek watershed. Despite limitations from cloud cover and spatial resolution, the findings suggest that integrating satellite data with machine learning can enhance large-scale, efficient turbidity monitoring in coastal waters.
Environmental Microbiology Reports · 2025-07-30 · 1 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingABSTRACT Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was assessed in Michigan surface waters impacted by dairies, swine farms and human wastewater, as well as in an unimpacted (UI) comparison site. Escherichia coli (EC) was quantified in the presence and absence of cefotaxime, as extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing EC (ESBL‐EC) has been deemed a proxy for AMR. Purified isolates of EC selected without antibiotics were characterised by disk diffusion; antibiotics tested included ampicillin, tetracycline, cefotaxime, cefoxitin, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, kanamycin, ciprofloxacin and erythromycin. Ampicillin and tetracycline resistance ranged up to 67% and 62% of the EC isolates, respectively, at livestock‐impacted sites, but were low at UI. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was not observed at all at UI but was observed in up to 76% and 67% of isolates from dairy and swine/dairy, respectively. AMP‐TE‐E was the most common resistance pattern observed, with all isolates originating from one of the dairy sites. Notably, resistance to cefotaxime did not correlate with MDR, indicating that preselection for ESBL‐EC before further AMR testing will not successfully characterise AMR or MDR from culturable EC. Interestingly, the percent of isolates resistant to AMP correlated quite well with MDR. This work highlights the importance of MDR characterisation at livestock‐impacted surface water sites.
Sustainability · 2025-03-27 · 4 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingThis study aimed to quantify the carbon footprint of elementary school lunch menus across six major urban school districts in the United States and to simulate the effect of sustainable food policies on carbon emissions reductions while ensuring nutritional requirements remain adequate. We analyzed a total of twenty distinct meals per district selected from a four-week period and calculated their carbon emissions using life cycle assessment data. We then modeled three scenarios to reduce carbon emissions: (1) a reduction in beef meal offerings to one day per month, (2) an introduction of one entirely plant-based day per week, and (3) a combination of scenarios 1 and 2. Our findings revealed that beef-containing meals had the highest carbon emissions, while plant-based meals had the lowest. Implementing the one monthly beef meal scenario led to an average savings of 34% in emissions, while the plant-based day scenario led to a 32% reduction in emissions. Combining both policies resulted in an average reduction of 43% in emissions. Importantly, our nutritional analysis demonstrated that implementing these sustainable food policies resulted in meals with statistically similar macronutrient and micronutrient profiles and contributed to increased dietary fiber intake. These results highlight the potential environmental and health benefits of adopting sustainable nutrition policies in elementary schools.
Environmental Research · 2025-04-11 · 2 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingCoastal waters serve as essential ecological habitats, key drivers of the blue economy, and vital resources for public health. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures, coupled with climate-driven perturbations, present significant challenges to microbial water quality. While remote sensing has been widely adopted for assessing physicochemical water quality parameters, its application to microbial indicators remains limited. To evaluate the feasibility of integrating satellite observations into microbial water quality assessments, this study investigated the hypothesis that satellite derived suspended matter concentrations predict levels of fecal indicator bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which are linked to human health through epidemiological studies. A moderate correlation was observed with the Sentinel-2 derived total suspended matter (SPM) and in situ E. coli concentrations (r = 0.73, p < 0.001), and the positive correlation was also validated using a historical dataset obtained from the California Water Board. The results indicate that using satellite data for estimating E. coli concentrations in coastal waters is feasible. This approach can enhance the performance and expand the scope of pollution event warning systems, demonstrating the valuable role of satellite data in environmental monitoring and public health protection.
One Health · 2025-02-27 · 8 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingAs part of a One Health approach, the World Health Organization (WHO) has deemed extended beta-lactamases-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) as an appropriate proxy for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in human, animal, and environmental samples. Traditional methods for ESBL-Ec quantification involve a labor-intensive process of membrane filtration, culturing in the presence and absence of antibiotics, and colony confirmation. The emerging modified IDEXX method utilizes IDEXX Colilert-18 test kits, recognized by the USEPA for the enumeration of total coliforms and E. coli in water samples, modified with cefotaxime for measurement of ESBL-Ec in environmental samples. However, this method has yet to be validated for ocean or sewage-contaminated water and has not been compared against the plate-based method with mTEC for surface water. In this study, ESBL-Ec in ocean and river waters of the Tijuana River Estuary were analyzed by three methods: membrane filtration using mTEC plates (as outlined in USEPA Method 1603), membrane filtration using TBX plates (as outlined in the WHO Tricycle Protocol), and Colilert-18 spiked with cefotaxime (Hornsby et al., 2023). Levels of ESBL-Ec were elevated in the Tijuana River Estuary and nearby ocean samples, as high as 2.2 × 10 6 CFU/100 mL. The modified IDEXX method correlated with membrane filtration methods using selective mTEC ( r = 0.967, p < 0.001, n = 14) and TBX ( r = 0.95, p < 0.001, n = 14) agars. These results indicate that the modified IDEXX method can be used as a more accessible alternative to the traditional culturing methods as a screening tool for antibiotic resistance in urban aquatic environments. Advantages of the IDEXX-based method including portability, lower Biosafety Level requirements, fewer dilutions to stay within the dynamic range, greater ease of maintaining sterility during analysis, and less required staff training are discussed. Future studies into the validity of the modified IDEXX method compared to qPCR and metagenomic sequencing are needed. • Elevated levels of ESBL-Ec were found at the Tijuana River Estuary and nearby ocean. • The modified IDEXX method for ESBL-Ec correlated with membrane filtration on selective mTEC and TBX agars. • The modified IDEXX method can be used as a monitoring tool for antibiotic resistance in ocean and sewage-impacted water.
The Science of The Total Environment · 2024-11-21 · 5 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorUrban land use and water reclamation plants (WRPs) can impact fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in coastal watersheds. However, there is a lack of studies exploring these effects on the US West Coast. Additionally, there is limited research using a complementary approach across culture-, qPCR-, and metagenomics-based techniques for characterizing environmental AMR. In this study, sixteen locations were sampled in the Los Angeles River, encompassing both upstream and downstream of three WRPs discharging into the river. Culture-dependent methods quantified Enterococcus , total coliforms, E. coli , and extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing E. coli as a low-cost screening tool for AMR, while qPCR measured selected antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs): sul 1, erm F, tet W, bla SHV, along with intI 1 and 16S rRNA genes. Bacteroides HF183 and crAssphage markers were quantified via ddPCR. All samples underwent shotgun sequencing to investigate gene abundance and mobility and an overall risk score for AMR. Results reveal downstream sites contain ARGs at least two orders of magnitude greater than upstream locations. Developed areas had the highest ARG sequence abundances and the most ARG classes as indicated by metagenomic analysis. WRP effluent exhibited elevated ARGs and co-location of ARGs, mobile genetic elements, and pathogens. A culture-based assessment of AR in E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa revealed increased resistance ratios for most antibiotics from upstream to downstream a WRP discharge point. This study highlights the impacts of land use and WRPs on ARGs and FIB, offering a multi-pronged analysis of AMR. • ARGs, fecal indicator bacteria, and human fecal markers increase in abundance through an urbanization gradient. • Water reclamation plants increase ARGs, reduce fecal indicator bacteria, and increase resistant E. coli and P. aeruginosa . • A low-cost culture based screening tool identified AR hotspots, confirmed by qPCR- and metagenomics-based techniques.
Recent grants
Frequent coauthors
- 14 shared
Wei-Cheng Hung
Oregon Institute of Technology
- 14 shared
Stanley B. Grant
Virginia Tech
- 13 shared
Christine Lee
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- 13 shared
John L. Durant
Tufts University
- 13 shared
David B. Senn
San Francisco Estuary Institute
- 12 shared
Vanessa Thulsiraj
University of California, Los Angeles
- 11 shared
Patricia A. Holden
University of California, Santa Barbara
- 10 shared
Chu‐Ching Lin
National Central University
Labs
Education
- 2006
Ph.D., Environmental Science and Engineering
University of California, Los Angeles
- 2002
M.S., Environmental Science and Engineering
University of California, Los Angeles
- 1999
B.S., Environmental Science
University of California, Los Angeles
Awards & honors
- School-wide Lockheed Martin Award for Excellence in Teaching…
- National Water Research Institute Technical Advisory Panel (…
- SMMUSD Honorary Service Award for Outstanding Service to Chi…
- Pritzker Fellow for Environmental Sustainability 2011 and 20…
- Northrop Grumman Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2007
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