MIDDLEBURG, VA, July 28, 2014 -- The American Water Resources Association (AWRA) has announced the recipients of its 2014 Richard A. Herbert Memorial Scholarship Fund awards. The scholarship fund, established in 1980, was created to be used for the enhancement of education in water resources.
Thus far, the awards have helped a total of 41 students continue with their studies in water resources management. Accordingly, the 2014 AWRA Richard A. Herbert Memorial Scholarship Fund winners are:
- Natalie Nelson -- Graduate (Ph.D.) Student Award ($2,000)
Nelson is a Ph.D. student in agricultural and biological engineering. Her academic platform also includes certificates in hydrologic sciences and wetland science. A diverse plan of study -- including wetland hydrology, marine ecological processes, wetland restoration and management, geographic information systems (GIS), and wetlands and watersheds law -- supports her interdisciplinary research.
In 2012, Nelson was awarded a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, which has enabled her to pursue research focusing on understanding algal bloom development in freshwater systems. For the past two years, she has been a member of the First Place team in the Large Institution Category of the national EPA Campus RainWorks Challenge, a green stormwater management design competition. She is the co-lead of AquArts, an educational program that utilizes artistic teaching methods to inform first and second graders of the urban water cycle and sustainable water practices that can be implemented at home.
- Emma Mendelsohn -- Graduate (M.S.) Student Award ($2,000)
Mendelsohn is currently studying sustainable water quality management as a master's candidate. Her studies include hydrology, water pollution, and geospatial analysis from a management perspective; bridging science, economics and public policy and the day-to-day realities of water resource management.
She also works as a watershed hydrology and biogeoscience field/GIS assistant, researching the hydrologic connectivity between headwater streams and downstream waters. For her capstone masters project, she intends to study how storm events impact aquatic biota downstream from coal ash ponds.
- Peter Bauson -- Undergraduate Student Award ($2,000)
Bauson is currently majoring in environmental studies and biology. In addition to his academic curriculum, he has participated in several research projects related to water resources. One of his first projects was a diurnal study of the Eel River, which entailed monitoring pH and dissolved oxygen.
In addition, due to the overwhelming generosity of AWRA members, the board of directors and scholarship committee have announced three ancillary scholarships. Recipients are:
- Asia Dowtin – Ph.D. Student ($500)
- Willa Paterson – M.S. Student ($500)
- Ariel Nautch Edwards – Undergraduate Student ($500)
Application packets for 2015-2016 may be submitted starting in January 2015. For more information on AWRA's scholarship program, email [email protected].
See also:
"UMASS student receives AWWA water scholarship for drinking water research"
"NGWA awards $20,000 in scholarships to 10 students"
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