MIDDLEBURG, VA, Oct. 5, 2015 -- The American Water Resources Association (AWRA) recently announced the recipients of its 2015-2016 Richard A. Herbert Memorial Scholarship Fund awards. Established in 1980 and considered by AWRA members to be one of the organization's greatest accomplishments, the scholarship fund has helped 47 students continue with their studies in water resources management.
The 2015-16 AWRA Richard A. Herbert Memorial Scholarship Fund recipients are:
Alice Alonso, 2015-2016 recipient of the Graduate (Ph.D.) Student Award ($2,000)
Alonso is a Ph.D. student in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at the University of Florida. Her research project focuses on the Tempisque watershed in Costa Rica. At the end of her project, the collected database will be publicly released, and the instrumentation network will remain in place, with OTS encouraged to continue the monitoring process.
"I believe we can provide water security for all while managing and using natural resources in a sustainable fashion, but there is still a pressing need to further understand and develop tools that encompass the complexity of those systems," said Alonso. "This is for me one of the biggest challenges of our century, and I am willing to participate in meeting it."
Jacqueline Gerson, 2015-2016 recipient of the Graduate (M.S.) Student Award ($2,000)
Gerson is currently studying environmental engineering science as a master's candidate at the College of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Syracuse University. Her research focus is examining the implications of increased productivity in Adirondack lakes, with the prediction that altered nutrient limitation patterns associated with decreased acid deposition could change trophic structure within these lakes.
"“Science has always been the outlet for my interminable curiosity and my source of explanation for environmental phenomena," said Gerson. "I strive to share this passion and knowledge with others so they, too, can engage in scientific exploration."
Anna Radke, 2015-2016 recipient of the Undergraduate Student Award ($2,000)
Radke is currently majoring in hydrology at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She is most interested in water chemistry, specifically the interactions of water and soil with agricultural fertilizers and pesticides. To that end, she has added minors in chemistry and soil science.
"I am currently exploring my options for graduate school in water or environmental chemistry," said Radke. "I'd especially like to pursue research relating the groundwater hydrology of watersheds to their dominant species of nutrient pollution. We humans need to learn to live with the planet, not just on it."
In addition, due to the continued generosity of our members, AWRA was able to award three ancillary scholarships. Recipients are
- Molly Welsh, SUNY-ESF -- Ph.D. Student
- Christopher Groff, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee -- M.S. Student
- JD Coffee, Abilene Christian University -- Undergraduate Student
See also:
"American Water Resources Association announces new president-elect"
"AWRA recommends national move to integrated water resources management"
About AWRA
Since 1964, American Water Resources Association has been dedicated to the advancement of water resources management, research and education, as well as a balanced approach toward solving water resources challenges. AWRA’s membership is comprised of professionals who share a common interest in working and learning across a wide range of disciplines focused on water resources policy, practice and education. For more information, Visit AWRA.
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