Current NWRI Fellows
______________________________________________________________________________________New NWRI Fellowship Recipients
Evaluation of Coal Derived Organic Fouling of Desalination Membranes by Coalbed Methane Produced Water
Principal Investigator: Katharine G. Dahm, Colorado School of Mines (2010-Present)
An Environmental Science and Engineering Major, Ms. Dahm is evaluating whether coalbed methane (CBM) produced water can be desalinated by high-pressure membranes. CBM is an unconventional gas resource that involves the disposal of large volumes of co-produced, highly saline water; this water can potentially be used to augment water supplies, if properly treated. Dahm's research will specifically make use of advanced natural organic matter characterization techniques to predict reversible and irreversible membrane fouling phenomena unique to coal-derived organic matter.
Impacts on the Terrestrial Water Cycle from Climate Change of Precipitation Magnitude, Pattern, Timing, and Intensity
Principal Investigator: Bruce K. Daniels, University of California, Santa Cruz (2010-Present)
A Hydroclimatology Major, Mr. Daniels is conducting research to scientifically verify if precipitation decreases predicted for the California climate could produce severe impacts to recharge for groundwater and stream baseflow supplies. His research will also quantify the impacts from predicted climate changes to precipitation properties, such as rainfall intensity, patterns, and timing.
Water Policy Designs to Address Societal Transitions
Principal Investigator: Lisa Welsh, Utah State University (2010-Present)
A Major in Human Dimensions in Ecosystem Science and Management, Ms. Welsh will examine the foundational rules for allocating scarce water supplies and address current debates on how to meet the challenges of providing water in changing societal contexts efficiently, equitably, and effectively. Included are cases studies on technological changes and associated human behaviors that increase water-use efficiency; the use of water banks, leasing, and transfers to move water where it is needed; and water conflicts and the challenges of meeting human and ecological water needs.
Nitrate and Phosphorous Removal from Waste Streams using a Microalgae-Based Membrane Bioreactor with Improved Anti-Fouling Design
Principal Investiagtor: Joshua T. Wray, Arizona State University (2010-Present)
A Molecular and Cellular Biology Major, Mr. Wray is examining whether a new microalgae-based membrane bioreactor can be used to remove nitrate and phosphates from waste streams in a cost-effective manner. An advantage to using algae in biofilters is that more of the nitrogen can be recycled because the nitrates are captured as biomass instead of being released as atmospheric nitrogen - making nutrient recycling economically viable, but also reducing impacts on water supplies of communities downstream.
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New NWRI Ronald B. Linsky Fellowship Recipient
THE NWRI RONALD B. LINSKY FELLOW FOR OUTSTANDING WATER RESEARCH
A Combined Hydrological and Managerial Approach to Evaluating Urban Water Vulnerability
Principal Investigator: Julie C. Padowski , University of Florida (2010-Present)
A Soil and Water Science Major, Ms. Padowski is working on a water resources sustainability project that will combine hydrological and managerial analysis approaches to evaluate water vulnerability in urban areas of the U.S. The ultimate goal of her research is to determine the most effective strategies used by urban water managers to improve the resiliency of water supplies and reduce vulnerability.
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New NWRI-AMTA Fellowship Recipients
THE NWRI-AMTA FELLOW FOR MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY
Biofouling of Forward Osmosis Membranes: Mechanisms and Fouling Control
Principal Investigator: Yaolin Liu, George Washington University (2010-Present)
A Civil and Environmental Engineering Major, Ms. Liu is working on developing a better quantification of concentration polarization in the membrane channel of realistic reverse osmosis processes. Concentration polarization is known to be responsible for increased energy consumption and exaggerated membrane fouling.
THE NWRI-AMTA FELLOW FOR MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY
Nanocomposite Polymeric Membranes for Enhanced Water and Energy Production in Membrane-Based Separation Processes
Principal Investigator: Alberto Tiraferri, Yale University (2010-Present)
An Environmental Engineering Major, Mr. Tiraferri is working on developing robust nanocomposite membranes to enhance the performance and expedite the implementation of advanced membrane-based water and energy production technologies.
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New NWRI-SCSC Fellowship Recipient
THE NWRI-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SALINITY COALITION FELLOW
Water Desalination by Reverse Osmosis with Nanostructured Polymers
Principal Investigator: Kari Varin , University of California, Los Angeles (2011-Present)
A Chemical Engineering Major, Ms. Varin is developing a new class of high-performance Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes and conducting a pilot demonstration of advanced surface nano-structured RO membranes to produce water of potable quality.
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Continuing NWRI Fellowship Recipients
Enzyme-Enhanced Membrane Bioreactors: Upgrading Wastewater Treatment for Reuse
Principal Investigator: Hector Garcia, University of Texas at Austin (2008-Present)
An Environmental and Water Resources Engineering major, Mr. Garcia is combining the use of membrane bioreactors and enzymes to enhance the degradation of target compounds, such as pharmaceutical care products and endocrine disrupting compounds, during wastewater treatment.
The Influence of Adsorption and Attenuation on the Biodegradation of Trace Micropollutants
Principal Investigator: Tom Zearley, University of Colorado at Boulder (2008-Present)
An Environmental Engineering major, Mr. Zearley is working on developing a low-cost method for removing micropollutants in water using biologically activated carbon that can remove emerging contaminants like endocrine disrupting compounds at levels as small as parts per trillion.
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Click here to learn more about past NWRI Fellows.