KWI Water Scholars
The Kansas Water Institute welcomes a group of new faculty hires who will focus on water-related research. KWI Faculty Scholars support the institute’s mission to foster interdisciplinary approaches to teaching, research, and outreach. To date, six faculty scholars have been appointed in four different departments, and recruitment for six additional faculty positions is ongoing.
Micah Cameron-Harp
Agricultural Economics
Micah Cameron-Harp’s work explores how environmental data can inform crop production and water use decisions. He is developing models to predict grain yields using pre-planting soil moisture, with implications for early-season drought and flood impacts. His other research objectives examine irrigation timing using evapotranspiration data to improve water efficiency and how chemical contaminants in an aquifer can affect irrigation behavior, crop productivity, and municipal water security.
Elizabeth Montoya
Agricultural Economics
Elizabeth Montoya’s research focuses on the intersection of environmental and health economics. She analyzes regulatory effectiveness and the impact of market structure on health and environmental quality, with a focus on drinking water systems. Her work will prioritize issues relevant to Kansas, including agricultural water use, nitrate contamination, and rural infrastructure.
Jeeban Panthi
Geology
Jeeban Panthi is hydrologist interested in understanding the interactions between groundwater and surface water. His work takes a closer look at how these interactions are influenced by human dimensions, climate and land use changes. Dr. Panthi’s research aims to address critical questions in groundwater hydrology, both on water quantity and quality in the High Plains Aquifer.
Jie Wang
Political Science
Jie Wang combines policy, political, and planning perspectives to examine how governments engage in regulatory and coordinated efforts to address water challenges. Her current research examines collaboration as a process for embracing diverse perspectives and engaging stakeholders in solving complex water problems. She is also conducting projects on environmental impact assessment of infrastructure projects and the planning of DBP-related water quality management.
Partnering for success
Tackling the water resource challenges in Kansas and nationwide will require leveraging the expertise and knowledge at K-State with partnering Kansas Board of Regents, or KBOR, institutions as well as local, state and federal agencies and organizations.
Joining Kansas State University, we currently have partnerships with four additional KBOR institutions: Emporia State University, Fort Hays State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University. Additionally, we have six additional state/federal partners: Kansas Biological Survey, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Geological Survey, Kansas Water Office and the U.S. Geological Survey.
Supporting new partnership positions
The Kansas Water Institute welcomes a new partner to the team! As University Water Officer at Fort Hays State University, Satya Sinha will be supporting efforts to improve state water quality and water quantity, while working with the university and surrounding communities to support related projects.
With over 30 years of experience, Satya excels in applying technical knowledge to solve business challenges. During his long career as an engineering geologist, he developed and implemented EHS Management Systems for major Oil & Gas companies in North America and Australia. His work with stakeholder engagement helped him to manage diverse project portfolios, including Superfund sites, and to resolve environmental issues through decision analysis and regulatory negotiations.
A graduate of Fort Hays State University, Satya said that he looks forward to this new position, as it will allow him to make impacts on the future of water in Kansas.
“This work will be interesting and challenging in many ways,” he said. “Small victories will turn into big victories.”
Advisory council
The Kansas Water Institute's partnerships build upon a collaborative advisory council that includes representation from the following entities:
- Rachel Bowes, Emporia State University
- Jim Butler, Kansas Geological Survey
- Grady Dixon, Fort Hays State University
- Randy Hayzlett, Groundwater Management District #3
- Lane Letourneau, Kansas Department of Agriculture (Division of Water Resources)
- Nathan Nelson, Kansas State University
- Connie Owen, Kansas Water Office
- Kayla Savage, Kansas Department of Commerce
- Marcia Schulmeister, University of Kansas
- Aleksey Sheshukov, Kansas State University
- Wesley Streeter, Pittsburg State University
- Matt Unruh, Kansas Water Office
- Nicholas Willis, Wichita State University