Contact:
Biography:
Josh is a New Orleans native pursuing his postdoctoral degree in Phytoplankton Ecology at MOTE Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. After his undergraduate degree at Tulane University, Josh worked for several years for aquariums and marine research facilities in dolphin and sea turtle rescue, animal husbandry and life support systems. Currently, Josh is working with his advisor, Dr. Vince Lovko, to lead two projects focused on mitigation strategies for toxic freshwater cyanobacteria, including Microcystis spp. Josh is interested in pursuing a research-based career involving coastal morphodynamics, hydrology and the impacts on environmental and human health.
Education:
M.S. in Earth and Environmental Science, University of New Orleans
M.S. in Marine Resources Management, Texas A&M University at Galveston
Ph.D. in Environmental Health Science, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Additional Publications
Sherchan, S., Shahin, S., Alarcon, J., Brosky, H., Potter, C., & Dada, A. C. (2022). Microbial source tracking of fecal contamination in stormwater runoff. Journal of Water and Health, 20(9), 1271-1283.
A. Shahin, S., H. Alarcon, J., Brosky, H. N., Lamori, J. G., Dada, A. C., Xue, J., ... & P. Sherchan, S. (2022). Occurrence of Naegleria fowleri and faecal indicators in sediments from Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. Journal of Water and Health, 20(4), 657-669.
Alarcon, J., Ward, L., Pan, K., Gonsoroski, E., Uejio, C. K., Beitsch, L., ... & Sherchan, S. (2023). HABs Karenia brevis and Pseudo-nitzschia pre-and post-Hurricane Michael. Journal of Water and Health, 21(4), 491-500.
Alarcon, J., Brighton, K., Nelson, A., Mac-Allister Cedraz, F., & Aw, T. G. (2025). Spatiotemporal variability in microbial water quality and fecal source tracking markers in a subtropical estuary and its tributaries. Journal of Water and Health, jwh2025083.
Nelson, A., Cedraz, F. M. A., Vigil, K., Alarcon, J., & Aw, T. G. (2025). Spatiotemporal distribution and species diversity of pathogenic Vibrios in estuarine recreational waters of southeast Louisiana. bioRxiv, 2025-07.
Alarcon, J. H. (2024). Spatiotemporal Analysis of Microbial Water Quality in an Estuarine Watershed: Sources of Fecal Pollution and Harmful Algal Blooms (Doctoral dissertation, Tulane University).
Alarcon, J. H. (2021). The Impact of the Installation of an Estuarine Dam on Sediment Distribution and Accumulation Rates in the Geum Estuary, South Korea.
Alarcon, J. H. (2017). Overwash Controls on Barrier Island Morphodynamics during Storms.