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Graduate Research

Original research is a key element of the graduate school experience. Through this experience, a students learns how to define a problem, design an investigation to study the problem, conduct the investigation, analyze and interpret the results, and defend their work in a public forum and in a written document.

Below are some examples of ongoing or recently completed research projects being conducted by graduate students in the department. Additionally, the Hydrogeology Program annually recognizes two students for their research with the Outstanding Promise in Hydrogeology Research (awarded to a first year student) and the Outstanding Achievement in Hydrogeology Research (awarded to a graduating student).

Research and Publications Search

Research Projects

Research Award Winners

Year Award for Outstanding Promise (first year student) Award for Outstanding Achievement (graduating student)
2016

Luke Lampo 

Dynamics of Nitrate, Phosphorus, and Suspended Sediment Transport in Two Agricultural Streams in Central Illinois

Paula Pryor 

Stream Energy Impacting Sediment Transport Through Low Gradient Agricultural Streams

2017

Claire Harris

Understanding 1-D Vertical Flux Dynamics in a Low-gradient Stream : An Assessment of Stage as a Control of Vertical Hyporheic Exchange

Audrey Happel

Evaluating Fault-Line Escarpment Exposure in the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and New Mexico

2018

Luis Martinez

Hydrogeologic Characteristics and Groundwater Sustainability of a Deep Bedrock Aquifer System in Illinois

Claire Harris

Understanding 1-D Vertical Flux Dynamics in a Low-gradient Stream : An Assessment of Stage as a Control of Vertical Hyporheic Exchange

2019

Grace Sieggreen

Correlating Nutrient Uptake and Stream Metabolism in Urban Cement-Lined Streams

Prince Oware

Capture Zone Analysis of a Wellfield to Assess Contaminant Transport

2020

Ethan Conley

Isolating Locations Of Potential Episodes Of Cave Collapse And Their Relationship To Cave Level Development Through Major River System Incisions

Grace Sieggreen

Correlating Nutrient Uptake and Stream Metabolism in Urban Cement-Lined Streams

2021

Jake Riedel

A Quantitative Analysis on Hyporheic Flow Dynamics Controlled by Contradicting Thermal Regimes 

Caitlyn Noseworthy

Microplastic Concentrations in a Central Illinois Urban Stream

 

Alhassan Sahad

Using a Tracer Test to Assess the Transport and Fate of Nitrate in a Saturated Buffer Zone

 

2022

Okiemute “Coco” Commander

Assessment of Temporal Variations in Chloride Concentrations in an Agricultural Tile-Drained Area in McLean County, Illinois

Jerry Komas

Measuring Optical Water Quality Parameters using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) - based Multispectral Sensor, Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake