The Team

Brian Baumgaertel, B.A., R.S.

MASSTC Director, Senior Environmental Specialist

Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian, Massachusetts Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Brian is the Director of the Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center and is a Senior Environmental Specialist at the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment. He is a Registered Sanitarian, Environmental Health Specialist, and Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. Originally from Upstate New York, Brian has lived on Cape Cod for 15 years and currently resides in Mashpee, where he formerly served as Chair of the local Board of Health.

George Heufelder, M.S.

MASSTC Project Specialist

Registered Sanitarian, Massachusetts Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator, Registered Title 5 Soil Evaluator

George Heufelder is Project Specialist at The Massachusetts Alternative Septic System Test Center (MASSTC) and former director of the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment . He has been instrumental in both beginning the MASSTC and initiating the first-of-its-kind electronic performance tracking service for alternative onsite septic systems. George conducts research on various aspects of onsite wastewater disposal including nitrogen, phosphorus and contaminant of emerging concern removal. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Kansas State University and a Master’s Degree in Biology from Eastern Michigan University.

He is a Class 4 Treatment Plant Operator, a Certified Title 5 Soil Evaluator and Septic System Inspector and he is a Registered Sanitarian in the Commonwealth.

Bryan Horsley, B.A.

MASSTC Project Assistant

Massachusetts Grade 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator

Bryan joined the MASSTC team in 2020 as the site Operator. A lifelong Cape Codder and avid outdoorsman, he is passionate about protecting the local environment. Although he is relatively new to the wastewater field, he has a significant background in related environmental topics including coastal ecology, ecological restoration, stormwater management, eco-toilet research and development, and monitoring lakes for harmful algal blooms. He earned a B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Sara Wigginton, Ph.D.

MASSTC Program Manager + Wastewater Division Deputy Director

Sara Wigginton joined MASSTC in 2021 as an Environmental Project Assistant. Sara earned her Ph.D. in the Laboratory of Soil Ecology and Microbiology (LSEM) at the University of Rhode Island in May 2020. During her doctoral program, Dr. Wigginton investigated advanced nitrogen removing onsite wastewater treatment systems and served as a training staff member at the New England Onsite Wastewater Training Program. She earned a Biological and Environmental Sciences Master’s degree in 2015 at the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Western Kentucky University in 2013. Sara has been involved in environmental research and monitoring for the past ten years and has been researching onsite wastewater treatment systems since 2017. She is an expert on nutrient movement through landscapes and nitrogen removing onsite wastewater treatment systems.

Abigail Collyer, B.S.

MASSTC Laboratory Analyst

Abby joined the team in November 2021 as a laboratory technician supporting the virus project at MASSTC. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Rhode Island where she was a research assistant at the wildlife genetics and ecology lab for 2 years. Abby started with the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment during the summer of 2021 as the assistant bacteriologist, helping with the beach sampling program as well as with testing drinking and waste water. From there, she was eager to continue her career at MASSTC.

Abby is responsible for completing sample processing and analysis for the EPA STAR grant, which includes testing for bacteria and e. coli viruses (see STAR project page) in treated wastewaters to evaluate possible re-use potential.

Liping Xun

MASSTC Laboratory Technician

Liping Xun is an experienced analytical chemist with a strong background in environmental testing, quality control, and advanced instrumentation. Since joining Barnstable County in 2019, she has expanded her expertise from wet chemistry analyses—including ammonia, TKN, pH, conductivity, and alkalinity—to full responsibility for GC‑MS operations and MA DEP‑compliant QC/QA programs.

Liping has also incorporated TOC and DOC testing into routine workflows and trained multiple analysts and interns to support high‑volume sample processing.
Liping’s earlier roles strengthened her technical versatility, working in a cGMP environment supporting FDA and ISO regulatory compliance, while positions at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the Marine Biological Laboratory provided extensive experience in molecular biology, microbial techniques, and environmental chemistry.

Tracy Long, A.S.

MASSTC Administrative Assistant

Tracy Long is the MASSTC Administrative Assistant and has been managing the Barnstable County I/A database since 2020. Tracy joined the MASSTC team after retiring from a career leading sales support teams at Verizon.

Amy DuFault, B.A

MASSTC Communications

A lifelong Cape Codder, Amy DuFault is also a long-time journalist and storyteller on environmental and supply chain issues in the textile industry. From the Cape Cod Times to The Guardian, Amy has always looked to shine a spotlight on important issues and water has become her focal point. We actually interviewed Amy on our podcast One Drop Leads To Another a few years ago. In addition to growing natural dye plants at MASSTC over the past 4 years, Amy is also a huge advocate of urine diversion and reclaiming it as a fertilizer for local farmers.

David Iorio Izzo, BBA

Barnstable County Septic Utility Program (SUP) Manager

David is a seasoned project manager, known for his impactful work across banking, homeless housing, and public health. His expertise ranges from spearheading a $115M housing project for the unhoused population of New York State to leading infectious disease response initiatives in public health for the states of Vermont and Arizona. David’s dedication to fostering community well-being shines through in his roles as a Reiki master and herbalist, blending his professional accomplishments with a deep commitment to holistic health and community care.

Alexandra (Allie) Nicolosi

MPH Barnstable County Septic Utility Program (SUP) Project Assistant

Allie comes to the Septic Utility Program (SUP) team with years of experience in both municipal and private sector positions. She previously worked as the Director of a Health Department, and has experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. She hopes to combine her love of public health with her passion for environmental wellness, utilizing her knowledge and past experience with Title 5 and wastewater to support SUP in its mission to better water quality and ecological health throughout Barnstable County. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Sciences from University of New Hampshire and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from Southern New Hampshire University. She is also a Title 5 Soil Evaluator.

Conner Kugler

Septic Utility Program (SUP) RME Technician

Conner Kugler joined the Septic Utility Program last month after relocating from South Dakota.

With a strong hands‑on background from his work in the construction industry, Conner brings solid technical skills, practical problem‑solving experience, and a natural appreciation for outdoor fieldwork.

In his role, Conner conducts on‑site Innovative/Alternative (I/A) inspections, performs equipment maintenance, troubleshoots advanced and alternative septic technologies, and supports the collection and documentation of field data. He works closely with team members during field deployments and maintains safety and operational standards across project sites.

Conner is excited to be part of the MASSTC team and looks forward to learning alongside his colleagues as he continues advancing his career in the field. Outside of work, he enjoys playing guitar and hiking, balancing creativity with time spent outdoors.

Stacie Holmes

Septic Utility Program (SUP), Administrative Assistant

Bethany Traverse

MASSTC Certification Testing Coordinator

Bethany Traverse recently joined MASSTC as the Certification Testing Coordinator. Her work with the Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment spans nearly two decades, and has centered on water quality and environmental health, as well as public outreach and communication. Bethany began her career in field and laboratory work at MASSTC prior to coordinating Barnstable County’s Beach Monitoring Program to support regional compliance with recreational water quality standards. In her new role, she helps oversee testing and quality documentation for innovative wastewater technologies designed to meet national and global performance standards. She’s excited to return to her roots in wastewater research and contribute to MASSTC’s mission to advance sustainable solutions that protect water resources on Cape Cod and beyond.

Ellis Densmore

MASSTC Certification Testing Operator

As the MASSTC Site Operator Ellis is in charge of sampling, taking field measurements, system construction and maintenance and a million other tasks that vary day to day. Prior to joining the MASSTC team he worked in the excavation trade for 4 years where he learned how to operate heavy equipment and install and service septic systems. Growing up in Falmouth he witnessed water quality degradation first hand and is now very happy to be contributing to the development and understanding of nutrient removing septic systems that can help protect and restore the environment. When not working, Ellis is an avid downhill skier (previously competitive racer) and skis New England mountains nearly every weekend!

Alex D. McFarlane, BIE

MASSTC Operator

Alex D. McFarlane, known professionally as Mac, is an Industrial Engineer with a strong technical foundation and hands-on operational expertise. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the Caribbean Maritime University and is licensed in the state of Massachusetts as both a Stationary and Hoisting Engineer, with an additional OSHA 10 safety certification.

Mac brings years of experience in the industrial engineering field, contributing to projects that span waste-to-energy operations, electrical power generation, boiler water sampling, and a variety of plant-level engineering functions. His background combines practical, on-site problem-solving with a system-oriented engineering approach, enabling him to support efficient, safe, and high-quality operations.

He is proud to be part of the knowledgeable and highly skilled team at MASSTC, where he continues to apply his expertise, work ethic, and commitment to innovation.

Beyond his professional work, Mac enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and exploring his talent for music.