Leah M. Kocian is an industry-funded researcher and PhD candidate at Texas A&M University, working under the guidance of Dr. Binayak Mohanty in the Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department. Her research examines the presence of heavy metal carcinogens and microplastics in urban gardens, investigating their sources, transport, environmental impact, and potential risk to human health. Leah's work contributes to safer urban garden practices and broader environmental health initiatives.

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Beyond her academic pursuits, Leah serves as Chair of the Board for the Texas A&M Graduate Student Consulting Club, where she spearheaded the university's first-ever case competition, attracting judges from top-tier consulting firms including McKinsey, Bain, and BCG. She is also committed to community service, volunteering regularly at the Star of Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting Houston's homeless population.

 

In her personal time, Leah enjoys staying active through Pilates, weight lifting, building intricate LEGO creations, value investing, and running a personal business where she crafts productivity-enhancing tools and Notion templates tailored for graduate student success.