SOIL AND WATER RESEARCH
Whether the focus is on hydrology, geomorphology, sociology, anthropology, etc., research on the environment has turned more recently to meticulous, interdisciplinary, cross-validating forms of observations and inquiry on the various systems that affect and are affected by soil and water.
WATERSHED HYDROLOGY RESEARCH
Watersheds are systems within which the hydrological cycle accumulates, stores, and discharges of rainwater that falls in its topographical boundaries. Mountainous watersheds can have a variety of slopes and diversity of flow patterns and runoff mechanisms. Land use can reflect a local populations' dependence on soil and water resources for livelihood and can also demonstrate the local climatic limitations and benefits.
EXPERIMENTAL AND OBSERVATIONAL NETWORKS
Researchers gain new knowledge and make strides through the advancement of experimental and observational networks that can reveal the dynamics of soil and the hydrological cycle. These networks must extend into the hard-to-reach and overlooked landscapes supplying water to local and downstream communities.
March 2025
Nurse-Pilot Engineering Team Meets to Discuss Research Updates and Symposium
The Culture, Climate Change, Farming, and Health Outcome research team shared updates on recruitment for participants in the student and geospatial mapping results as we prepare to present at the 2025 Elaine Marieb Center Nursing and Engineering Innovation Symposium
February 2025
Christian visits UW Madison to talk about research in the Lake Warner Mill River Watershed
In the Spring 2025 Christian presented the lab's research for the Weston Roundtable Lecture Series at UW Madison, a seminar series sponsored by the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE), the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Office of Sustainability.
January 2025
Christian Guzman Spotlighted in IDS Winter 2025 Newsletter
In the Winter 2025 IDS Newsletter, the story "From Florida to Flood Maps: Dr. Christian Guzman’s Journey to Advancing Environmental Justice in Massachusetts" highlighted Christian's journey and our lab's work. PDF
December 2024
Raul, Zelalem, and Tim present at the American Geophysical Union
Raul, Zelalem, and Tim traveled to Washington DC to present posters for their research on dissolved organic carbon transport, sediment transport models, and stable water isotope patterns.
December 2024
Raul Vera III honored as a Spring 2024 UMass Amherst Rising Researcher
Raul received this prestigious award recognizing his research endeavors across his academic career. He is one of 3 in the College of Engineering to receive the award this session, and one of 7 across the University. The news of this award was featured in the article "Engineering Research to Improve the Safety of Drinking Water; Raul Vera III '24 studies how organic matter enters the water supply and seeks solutions to mitigate the presence of potential carcinogens in drinking water." He shared his story and it is featured on the UMass College of Engineering website and the UMass Amherst Research IG page.
November 2024
Faculty and Students gather to paint pumpkins for Dia de Los Muertos
SHPE hosted an event for faculty, staff, and students to spend an evening eating delicious food and painting pumpkins. Steven Fernandez, Dean Mari Castañeda, Martin Hunter, and Christian joined for the event.
September 2024
Vishu Sandhu joins the lab!
We're pleased to welcome Vishu Sandhu to the research team. Vishu completed his Master's at Auburn University and will work on Salinity transport patterns and reservoir modeling in the Wachusett Reservoir.
September 2024
Dr. Amanda Marques begins position as faculty at Drexel University
As a CEE faculty member, Amanda’s research lab will focus on assessing water demand and supply projections under climate change scenarios, sustainable ways to manage multiple water uses and strategies to promote future water availability. She also employs long-term data assessment, environmental tracers, and modeling to evaluate drinking water supply quality to support decision-making. Congratulations!
September 2024
Dr. Cielo Sharkus begins position as at Raftelis Financial Consultants
Cielo will be starting work as a consultant focusing on Utilities Asset Management and Effective Utility Management with Raftelis Financial Consultants. Congratulations!
July 2024
Eureka! at UMass Amherst: Wonky Water Quality
Tim, Raul, and Zelalem led a team of high school scholars in a water quality awareness workshop as a part of the Eureka summer program at UMass Amherst, in partnership with Girls Inc of the Valley. The team helped the scholars learn about pond water quality and how that compares with other waters, such as tap and bottled water. We helped students sample water using field equipment.
May 2024
Christian sits down with Dean Mari Catañeda for the Qué Onda Podcast
In the Spring 2024, Christian and Mari talk about his lab's research spanning the Food, Energy, Water System Nexus, Hydrological and Sediment Modeling, and Project in the Northeastern US.
April 2024
Tess, Raul, and Brook present their research at the MassURC
Tess Hachey (CEE 24'), Raul Vera (CEE 24'), and Brook DeJesus (CEE 26') present their research on the hydrological and isotopic patterns of streams in the Northeaster US for the MassURC. 28 colleges and universities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts participate in this day-long research symposium.
April 2024
Tim Nsubuga joins the AGU Voice for Science Program
This program sponsored by the America Geophysical Union is available to North and Central American and EU- and UK- based scientists with strong communication skills and an interest in sharing the value and impact of Earth and space science with key decision makers, journalists, and public audiences, to increase the widespread understanding of and support for science. As a member of the 2024 class, Timothy was selected from a highly competitive applicant pool based on demonstrated leadership and the potential to positively influence the local community. Congratulations!
April 2024
Cielo Sharkus Spotlighted in IDS Spring 2024 Newsletter
In the Spring 2024 IDS Newsletter, the story "From Struggle to Success: How Mission and Mentorship Shaped Cielo Sharkus" highlighted Cielo's journey. PDF
December 2023
American Geophysical Union Conference in San Francisco
Amanda, Tim, Cielo, and Christian traveled to San Francisco, CA for the AGU fall meeting. Above Amanda presents her work on "Salinity patterns in surface water and groundwater across Massachusetts, Northeast US"
December 2023
Field sampling of stable water isotopes and phosphorus
Brooke, Tess, Raul, and Tim have been collecting monthly water samples from 13 sites across the Mill River Watershed
October 2023
Ninth Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference!
Cielo traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana for the HBCU Climate Change conference. Above she is with a colleague and Beverly Wright an American environmental justice scholar and the founder of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice at Dillard University.
July 2023
Eureka! at UMass Amherst: Wonky Water Quality
Tim, Amanda, and Cielo led a team of high school scholars in a water quality awareness workshop as a part of the Eureka summer program at UMass Amherst, in partnership with Girls Inc of the Valley. The team helped the scholars learn about pond water quality and how that compares with other waters, such as tap and bottled water. Here, Tim and Amanda help students sample water using field equipment.
July 2023
Christian travels to Ethiopia
Christian traveled with Tammo Steenhuis (Cornell University) to Bahir Dar and engaged with researchers in the Civil and Water Resources Engineering Department of the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology at Bahir Dar University. Fasikaw Atanaw Zimale (BDU) and Seifu Tilahun (International Water Management Institute) facilitated our visit and coordinate research meetings and collaboration discussions.
June 2023
2023 American Water Works Scholarship Awardee!
Congratulations to Cielo! She was named an AWWA Scholarship Awardee. The awards recognize undergraduates and graduate students who are top scholars and who will be future leaders in water related studies. Cielo received the Raftelis Leadership Scholarship.
June 2023
2023 American Water Works Association Invited Speaker!
Cielo was an invited speaker, presenting “Diverse Knowledge Systems Drive Dynamic Adaptation to Watershed Hazards” at the AWWA conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
May 2023
Cielo presented her work on Diverse Knowledge Systems at the Energy Transition Symposium at UMass Amherst.
April 2023
European Geosciences Union Conference in Vienna, Austria
Amanda traveled to Vienna Austria for the EGU general assembly meeting. Above Amanda presents her work on "Characterizing landscape influences on hydrological flow pathways in a peri-urban Mediterranean catchment"
April 2023
Professor Steve Chapra (Emeritus Professor and Berger Chair, Tufts University) presented on "Smart Waters: The future of water quality modeling and control in the face of climate change and mega-urbanization".
March 2023
Christian visits UConn for Presentation on Hydrological Observatories
In this talk Christian discussed his experiences "Building Hydrological Observatories for Assessment of Erosion and Gully Formation in the Ethiopian Highlands".
June 2021
2021 American Water Works Scholarship Awardee!
Congratulations to Cielo! She was named one of 24 recipients across the USA as an AWWA Scholarship Awardee. The awards recognize undergraduates and graduate students who are top scholars and who will be future leaders in water related studies. Recipients will be celebrated later this month at a virtual event.
May 2021
This summer has kicked off collaborations and sampling in local streams. How do you keep yourself protected in the Northeast?
Dr. Knighton gave us some tips and insights based on research at the UConn Ecohydrology Lab.
April 2021
Our research team is pleased to welcome Amira Spikes (BS, Penn State) and Tim Nsubuga (BS, College of the Holy Cross) to UMass! They will conduct research related to water quality and stable water isotopes starting this coming Fall 2021.
December 2020
AGU Fall Meeting 2020: Assessment of Nutrients in the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed: An Investigation of Land Use Contributions and Trends.
Amanda presented her work on nutrient trends in the Wachusett Reservoir watershed as a part of the Hydrology Section Session: H084-0004
Assessment of Nutrients in the Wachusett Reservoir Watershed: An Investigation of Land Use Contributions and Trends.
October 2020
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) invites Cielo to be the keynote speaker for the Louis-Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation honorary induction ceremony.
Cielo shared her experiences during the 2020 LSAMP induction ceremony at the WPI campus. She was also recently highlighted as a notable alumni in this story here describing her experiences serving and leading the local chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers .
Congratulations to Cielo for joining the Agents of Change Fellows Program!
Agents of Change is an ongoing series featuring the stories, analyses and perspectives of next generation environmental health leaders who come from historically under-represented backgrounds in science and academia. The goal of Cielo's work during this fellows program will be to develop skills for writing compelling articles on stories related to environmental health, environmental justice, and climate change. There is also an interview component on Dr. Zota's podcast!
September 2020
The grants funded were selected according to the Center's "... recognition that communities of color are disproportionately impacted by climate change and that the success of climate adaptation depends upon the dismantling of systemic racism. [NE CASC is] therefore seeking applicants with a dual commitment to climate adaptation/resilience and the pursuit of a more just society through combating racist oppression in its many forms. Students with demonstrable interest and experience in both areas are strongly encouraged to apply, especially those belonging to historically underrepresented groups. ".
Amanda is selected as a Edwin V. Sisson Doctoral Fellow for 2020/2021!
The fund will supports incoming first-year PhD candidates whose research focuses on renewable and alternative energy, climate change, and other environmental topics. Amanda will be focusing on Water Quality Analysis of the Wachusett Reservoir in coordination with the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
August 2020
Cielo presents her work at the Technical Research Exhibition (TRE) of the National Society of Black Engineers 46th Annual Convention!
The Technical Research Exhibition (TRE) is a competition designed to showcase the NSBE members' skills in technical writing, theoretical research, and poster presentation and incorporates two tracks: Preliminary and Showcase. TRE is held during National Convention and is judged by technical professionals. Only select abstracts are invited for oral and poster presentations.
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March 2020
Amanda Carneiro Marques joins UMass EWRE research program!
Amanda will be coadvised by Drs. Emily Kumpel and Christian Guzman and will further advance research conducted on water quality in the Wachusett and Quabbin reservoirs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
February 2020
Cielo wins First Place at LSAMP Conference!
The Northeast Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (NE LSAMP) receives funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to strengthen the preparation, representation, and success of historically under-represented minority students in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.The program is designed to implement and enhance programs that encourage and support students in the STEM fields. Cielo has participated in research, conferences, and mentorship within NE LSAMP since her freshman year at WPI. The yearly symposium highlights excellence in research.
January 2020
Jacob Cowley starts independent research on the Mill River !
We are pleased to welcome Jacob to the research team for the Spring semester as he conducts independent research on water quality in the Mill River, a tributary of the Connecticut River Basin, MA.
Christian visits Ethiopia !
As research plans begin to formulate for the 2020 year and beyond, UMass made connections to Bahir Dar University (Bahir Dar) and the International Water Management Institute (Addis Ababa) through this visit. Further events included providing a seminar for students of the Integrated Water Management PhD program of the Civil and Water Resources Engineering Department at Bahir Dar University and visiting the Debre Mawi Hydrological Research Station.
December 2019
Cielo and Christian present research at the American Geophysical Union !
Cielo Sharkus presented her preliminary findings on Social Vulnerability and Hydrological Risk in Massachusetts in San Francisco. Christian presented work on decadal stable water isotope trends in the Inland Pacific Northwest in addition to an invited talk on the Integration of socio-cultural-environmental data in the Columbia River Basin.
September 2019
Dr. Christian Guzman and Cielo Sharkus inaugurate the Watershed Hydrology Research Team at UMass
Dr. Guzman is pleased to join the EWRE faculty in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at UMass and is excited to welcome Cielo Sharkus to the research lab. Please visit the research page for more information on our planned and ongoing research.
Cielo