Dr. Elica M. Moss Biography

Research

Environmental Microbiology, water quality, microbial community composition, Environmental Justice

Area of Expertise and/or Research:
Bacterial Community Microbiology of Surface and Subsurface Irrigation Water;; Water Quality Assessment of the Prevalence and Persistence of Fecal Indicator Bacteria in the Indian Creek Watershed; Bacterial Monitoring of Open and Closed Looped Cooling Water Systems; Characterization of the Absolute and Relative Microbiota Abundance in Soil under Different Agricultural Management Systems; Evaluation of Pollution, Health Disparities, and Climatic Factors within Cities in North, Central, and South Alabama

Education

B. S. Environmental Science/ Minor in Chemistry-Alabama A&M University 

PhD. Crop and Soil Science/Environmental Toxicology-Michigan State University 

Specialization in Epidemiology for Public Health Practice from Johns Hopkins      University (online), May 2020 

Publications

Elica M. Moss, Paul Okweye, Karnita Garner, Gabrielle Russsaw Scissum, Alexis Smith and Kellon Banks.  (2022).  Escherichia coli Relationship with Land Use, Seasonality and Physiochemical Parameters in in a Tennessee River Tributary. (Submitted: Environmental Science and Pollution Research”). 

Elica M. Moss.  (2022). AAMU DEFEND Scholars Participate in NSF Sponsored S-STEM “Summer Melt” Program.  Open Access Government. September 2022.  https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/aamu-defend-scholars-participate-in-nsf-sponsored-s-stem-summer-melt-program/143050/ 

Elica M. Moss and Sanju Sanjaya (2022).  Agricultural and Environmental Science Careers for Non-Traditional Students at Alabama A&M University and West Virginia State University.  Open Access Government. March 2022.  https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/agricultural-and-environmental-science-careers-for-non-traditional-students-at-alabama/130917/ 

Elica M. Moss (2021).  Water quality research in the U.S.  Research and Innovation News.  Open Access Government. December 2021.  https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/water-quality-research/126415/ 

Elica M. Moss (2021).  Escherichia coli Relationship with Land Use, Seasonality and Physiochemical Parameters in in a Tennessee River Tributary.  University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine. (Presentation/Seminar) 

Elica M. Moss (2021).  Disproportionate air pollution exposure in African-American communities. Research and Innovation News.  Open Access Government. July 2021. https://edition.pagesuiteprofessional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=495ff911-c4a4-496c-97fe-cf23fe53ec66. 

Okweye, P.; Garner, K.; Moss, E. Distribution of Mercury in Flint Creek Watershed: Implications for Mercury Bioaccumulation. J Environ Chem Toxicol Vol.4 No.2 2020. 

Elica M. Moss (2020).  Changing the Landscape of Microbiology.  Research and Innovation News. Open Access Government. December 2020. 

Elica M. Moss (2020). Training a New Generation of Skilled Environmental Scientists. Scientia.  https://doi.org/10.33548/SCIENTIA521). 

Autumn Hill and Elica M. Moss. Effect of Biochar on Soil pH, Bacterial Community Structure and Carbon Sequestration Potential. 97th Alabama Academy of Science.  March 2020. Huntsville, AL. 

Jayla Pettaway and Elica M. Moss. The Influence of pH on Bacterial Community Composition of Soils from the Winfred Thomas Agricultural Research Station. 97th Alabama Academy of Science. March 2020. Huntsville, AL.  

Sameerah Rice and Elica M. Moss. Environmental Impact Assessment of Property Trends to Stimulate Revitalization in Africatown, Mobile, AL Using Arc GIS. 97th Alabama Academy of Science. March 2020. Huntsville, AL. 

Autumn Hill and Elica M. Moss. Microbial Community Shifts and the Potential for Carbon Sequestration in Soils Amended with Biochar. 7th HBCU Climate Change Meeting. November 2019. New Orleans, LA.  

Courvoisier Lewis and Elica M. Moss. Characterization of Alabama Waterbodies Contaminated by Atmospheric Deposition using ArcGis. 7th HBCU Climate Change Meeting. November 2019. New Orleans, LA.  

Sameerah Rice and Elica M. Moss. Assessing Property Trends to Stimulate Revitalization and Prevent Gentrification in Africatown, Mobile, AL using ArcGIS and monitoring potential air and soil pollution. 7th HBCU Climate Change Meeting. November 2019. New Orleans, LA.  

Venkateswara R.Sripathi, Yongwook Choi, Zachary B. Gossett, David M. Stelly, Elica M. Moss, Christopher D. Town, Lloyd T. Walker, Govind Sharma and Agnes P. Chan. Identification of microRNAs and their targets in four Gossypium species using RNA sequencing. Current Plant Biology. V. 14: 2018. p. 30-40. 

Elica M. Moss.  Enhancing the Environmental Science Curriculum through the Development of a Scenario Based Reusable Learning Object (RLO):  Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on Food Security in Belize.  2017.  Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings. Tampa, FL. 

Elica M. Moss.  Water Quality Assessment of the Flint Creek Watershed by the Enumeration of E. coli, Enterococci and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. 2017.  Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings. Tampa, FL. 

Zhang, Z., Huang, Y., Xu, C.-Y., Chen, X., Moss, E. M., Jin, Q., & Bailey, A. M. (2016). Analysis of Poyang Lake water balance and its indication of river–lake interaction. SpringerPlus, 5(1), 1555. http://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-3239-5 

Zengxin Zhang, Qiu Jin, Xi Chen,  Chong-Yu Xu, Sheng Chen, Elica M. Moss and Yuhan Huang.  “Evaluation of TRMM Multisatellite Precipitation Analysis in the Yangtze River Basin with a Typical Monsoon Climate,” Advances in Meteorology, vol. 2016, Article ID 7329765, 13 pages, 2016. doi:10.1155/2016/7329765. 

Paul Okweye, Karnita Garner, Elica M. Moss and Anthony Overton.  2016.  Factor-Cluster Analysis and Effect of Particle Size on Total Recoverable Metal Concentration in Sediments of the Lower Tennessee River Basin.   Journal Computational Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering (CWEEE).  5, 10-26. 

Sripathi, V.R., Choi, Y., Stelly, D. M., Moss, E.M., Town, C.D., Sharma, G.C., & Chan, A.P.  2016. Identifiacation off MicroRNAs and their Targets using deep sequencing in four Gossypium Species, G. hisutum, G. herbaceum, G. arboreum and G. raimondii.  Genome CRC Press.  (Under review). 

Jonjala Jackson and Elica M. Moss. 2015. Effects of Forest Management Practices on the Community Structure of Chemolithotrophs. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings. Minneapolis, MN. 

Gabrielle Russaw-Scissum and Elica M. Moss.  2015.  Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings. Minneapolis, MN.. 

Elica M. Moss (2013). Flourishing careers in agricultural sciences.  International Innovation.  (Aug. 2013), 44, ISSN: 2051-8528.  

Seloame T. Nyaku, Venkateswara R. Sripathi, Graham Wiley, Fares Z. Najar, Leland J. Cseke, Govind C. Sharma, Bruce A. Roe, Sarah Beth Cseke, Elica Moss, Ramesh V. Kantety. 2013. The Expressed Parasitism Genes in the Reniform Nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis).  American Journal of Plant Sciences. 4; 780-791. 

Jonjala Jackson and Elica M. Moss.  Effects of Forest Management Practices on the Community Structure of Chemolithotrophs. Alabama A&M University STEM Day.  April 12, 2013. 

Wang, Y. and E. Moss. 2012. Preparing for the future. Proceedings of the 2012 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program at Alabama A&M University.  Published by Center of Forest Ecosystem Assessment of Alabama A&M University. 

Rakeyta Scales, Shengzou Fang And Tian Ye and Elica M. Moss (2012). Soil Nutrient Availability at the Chenwei Forest Research Station in Jiangsu Province, China. American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, and Crop Science Society of America (ASA.SSSA.CSA) Annual Meetings. Cincinnati, OH. 

Nara McCray, Elica Moss, Ben Fan, Xia (2012). Determining Plant Growth Promoting Effect of Potential PGPR (plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) Strains. American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, and Crop Science Society of America (ASA.SSSA.CSA) Annual Meetings. Cincinnati, OH. 

Na-Asia Ellis, Sarah Beth Cseke, Elica Moss, Govind C. Sharma and Ramesh Kantety (2012). Endosymbiotic Relationship Analysis Between Piriformospora Indica and Cotton or Tomato.. American Society of Agronomy, Soil Science Society of America, and Crop Science Society of America (ASA.SSSA.CSA) Annual Meetings. Cincinnati, OH. 
 

Benedict C Okeke; Sue Thomson, PhD; Elica M Moss, PhD.  Evaluation of Water Quality Indicator Bacteria Before and After Water Treatment.  Science of the Total Environment.  409 (2011) 4979-4985. 

Wang, Y. and E. Moss. 2011. Preparing for the future. Proceedings of the 2011 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program at Alabama A&M University.  Published by Center of Forest Ecosystem Assessment of Alabama A&M University. 

Sha Li, Yong Wang, Elica Moss.  The Effectiveness of the REU Program among Novice Undergraduates Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL, The Business Review, Cambridge.  Vol. 16 * Number 2 * December 2010. 

Rakeyta Scales and Elica Moss.  Comparative DNA Analysis of Soils Treated with Pesticides and Poultry Litter.  Alabama A&M University STEM Day.  April 20, 2011. 

Wang, Y. and E. Moss. 2010. Preparing for the future. Proceedings of the 2010 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program at Alabama A&M University.  Published by Center of Forest Ecosystem Assessment of Alabama A&M University. 

Alisha Sledge and Elica M. Moss.  Assessment of Surface Water Quality of Huntsville Spring Branch and Indian Creek Watersheds.
  Soil Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings.  2010. November 1-5.  Long Beach, CA. 

Sledge, E. Moss, J. Jackson.  Assessment of Surface Water Quality of Huntsville Spring Branch and Indian Creek Watersheds. Alabama A&M University STEM Day.  March 31, 2010.  *coauthored with undergraduate student. 

Elica M. Moss.  Seasonal Variations of Indicator Bacteria in Surface Water. Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings.  2009. November 1-5. 

Elica Moss, Yong Wang, and Robert Taylor.  Mentoring 21st Century Scientists in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences: A National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) Site at Alabama A&M University.  Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings.  2009. November 1-5. 

Moss, Elica M. and Janie Charleston*.  A Comparison of Total Coliform, E. coli, and Enterococci in Surface Water Located in Madison County, AL.  USDA CSREES National Water Conference.  St. Louis, MO.  2009.    *coauthored with undergraduate student. 

Jennifer Murray and Elica Moss.  Water Quality Assessment of Surface Water in Madison County, AL Alabama A&M University STEM Day.  April 10, 2008. 

Eunice Bonsi, Tuskegee University, Elica Moss, Alabama A&M University Kathleen Tajeu, Auburn University.  Assessment of Parents’ and Head Start Caregivers’ Nutritional Knowledge and Food Behavior impact on Preschoolers’ Health Outcome (Overweight and Childhood Obesity) in Alabama.  JOINT 1890 AEA/ARD Land-Grant Conference June 8-11, 2008.  Memphis, TN. 

Benedict C. Okeke, Elica M. Moss, Stephanie A. Russel, Stephanie O. Davis, Victoria Gunter and Natasha N. Bozeman, Bacteriological Evaluation of Drinking Water Sources of a Black Belt County.  (1)Department of Biology, Auburn University Montgomery, 7061 Senators Drive, Montgomery, AL 36124, (2)Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL 35762. 

E.M. Moss., Y. Tilahun, M.M. Thompson, Z.N. Senwo.  Community Composition of Nitrogen-Fixing and Ammonium-Oxidizing Bacteria in an Agricultural Soil.  107th General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology.  2007.  May 21-25. 

Alisha Sledge and Dr. Elica Moss.  Tap Water vs. Bottled Water: Which Would You Choose?   EnvironMentors Program and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, Alabama A&M University, Normal, AL  35762. 

M.M. Thompson , E.M. Moss., Y. Tilahun, A.M. Ibekwe, Z.N. Senwo.  Microbial Community Shifts after Fire Disturbances.   Proceedings of the 107th General Meeting, American Society for Microbiology.  2007.  May 21-25. 

Priscilla M. Mfombep, Zachary Senwo, Robert Taylor and Elica M. Moss.  Alpha-and Beta-glucosidase Activities of an Ultisol:  Effect of Tillage, Residue Management, and Various Nitrogen Fertilizations.  Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings.  2007. November 4-8. 

E.M. Moss., Y. Tilahun, M.M. Thompson, Z.N. Senwo. Microbial Diversity Of An Agricultural Soil Under Various Agronomic Conditions By PCR-Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis.  Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings.  2006. November 12-16. 

Fritz Ntoko, Zachary Senwo, Robert Taylor, and Elica Moss.  Heavy Metal Induced Inhibition of Nitrate Reductases.  Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings.  2006. November 12-16. 

Meiko Thompson, Elica Moss, Abasiofiok Ibekwe, Zachary Senwo, and Robert Taylor.  Soil Diversity Along a Forest Profile Using PCR-DGGE.  Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings.  2006. November 12-16. 

Meiko Thompson and Elica Moss. Prescribed Burning Effects of Selected Enzyme Activities. National Black Graduate Student Association Conference March Chicago, Ill. 

E.M. Moss., Y. Tilabun, M.M. Thompson, Z.N. Senwo.  Microbial Community Structure and Diversity of an Agricultural Soil.  Association of Research Director (ARD) Symposium.  2006.  Atlanta, GA. April 1-5. 

E.M. Moss., Y. Tilabun, M.M. Thompson, Z.N. Senwo.  Microbial Community Structure and Diversity of an Agricultural Soil.  Water Resources Conference.  2006.  Perdido Beach, AL.  September 6-8. 

Moss, Elica M., Alban Ramette,  John J. LiPuma, and James M. Tiedje. 2005.  Determination of Different Patterns of Aromatic Substrate use Between Clinical and Environmental Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) Strains. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings. 

Moss, Elica M, Perry L. McCarty, and James M. Tiedje. 2003.  Microbial Community Analysis of Trichloroethylene Degradation at the Edwards Air Force Base. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Tri-Society Meeting Proceedings.