The 2009-2010 Academic Year recipients of the AWRA Colorado Section Rich Herbert Memorial Scholarship were selected from among an outstanding field of applicants. These four students will present their work at the Annual Symposium of the Colorado Section of AWRA (April 23rd, 2010). A brief description of the scholarship recipients follows, in alphabetical order:
Sophie Hancock, a PhD student in the Colorado School of Mines Department of Geological Engineering (advised by Murray Hitzman). Her research topic is the Investigation of the Hydrogeology of a Uranium Roll Front Deposit, Lost Creek, Wyoming. The research project will use geological and geophysical data to evaluate current hydrogeological behavior of stratigraphic units and faults within the Lost Creek deposit. Geological and hydrological data will also be used to develop a paleohydrological model of deposit formation.
Roberta Martinez, an MS student in the Colorado School of Mines Department of Environmental Science and Engineering (advised by Linda Figueroa). Her research topic is the Microbial and Substrate Characterization of Four Biochemical Reactors. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has constructed four biochemical reactors (BCRs) to treat mine drainage impacted waters in the Bunker Hill Superfund area near Coeur D’ Alene, Idaho. Her research focuses on characterizing the microbial communities within the BCRs, specifically the SRB, as they relate to substrate composition.
Eric Morway, a PhD candidate in the Colorado State University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (advised by Timothy Gates). His research topic is Integrating Parameter Estimation with Groundwater Flow and Transport Modeling in Support of Decision Making for Improved Water Management. His work focuses on focuses on parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis and, if time permits, a cursory uncertainty analysis and its application to ground water modeling.
Jane Turner, an MS student at University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (advised by Diane McKnight). Her research topic is the Biogeochemistry of Nitrogen in Alpine and Sub-Alpine Lakes in the Rocky Mountains. Phytoplankton in alpine lakes can play a significant role in the processing of nitrates, which could change models of nitrate cycling and potentially influence options for future water resource engineering. A quantitative understanding of the mechanisms that control the downstream transport of nitrate is needed in order to predict how increases in nitrate will affect future water resources.
With these recipients, the Colorado Section of AWRA has awarded 61 scholarships since 1991 totaling over $96,000. The distribution of scholarships by degree is 32 to PhD students, 24 to MS/MA students, and 5 to BS students. By college, the distribution is 28 to Colorado State University, 14 to the University of Colorado, 16 to Colorado School of Mines, 2 to the University of Denver, and 1 to Western State College of Colorado. The scholarship fund is supported by member donations and by the proceeds of the Section’s Annual Symposium.
The Colorado Section has instituted recognition letters for scholarship donations of certain amounts. For scholarship donations over $500 recognition in various forms including scholarship materials, the symposium and the website will be given. For scholarship donations over $2,000 the scholarship will be named in the donor's name.
The Colorado Section would like to recognize the generous donations of the Applegate Group, Inc. and Bishop-Brogden Associates, Inc. to this year’s scholarship fund.
Donations are appreciated anytime and are tax deductible. Donations can now be made through our online Membership Renewal form!