Kansas Water Institute Student Fellows

KWI fosters interdisciplinary learning and research, providing students with the tools and resources to innovate and solve real-world problems in the field of water resources. We offer a variety of opportunities to support undergraduate and graduate students, including scholarships, research grants, and experiential learning experiences.

Graduate Research Fellows

Sophia Cori is a graduate student studying Agriculture Education and Communications, with a specific focus on water resources. Raised in the Salinas Valley amidst diverse agricultural environments, received her bachelor's degree in Agriculture Education and her teaching credential from the University of Idaho. Prior to her enrollment at K-State, Sophia worked for the Central Coast Water Quality Preservation Inc. (CCWQP), a non-profit organization in California's Salinas Valley funded by farmers. CCWQP acts as a third-party program to the Water Board, collaborating with them and local farmers to ensure compliance with agricultural regulations.

 

Kushan Kompalage is a Ph.D. candidate in Chemistry at Kansas State University, specializing in environmental analytical chemistry. His research centers on developing and validating advanced ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) methods to detect trace-level contaminants in environmental and biological samples. At K-State, Kushan has built extensive expertise in high-sensitivity LC-MS analysis, focusing on expanding the application of EPA Method 1633 for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to a wider range of matrices. His work supports efforts to enhance water quality monitoring and address emerging contaminants that impact public and environmental health. By advancing analytical capabilities for contaminant detection, Kushan’s research aligns closely with KWI’s mission to improve water resource management and safeguard water quality in Kansas and beyond.

Jackson Lindamood is a graduate student in Agricultural Economics. Originally from Olathe, Kansas, he earned his bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics with a specialty in Quantitative Analysis in Spring 2024. During his undergraduate studies, Jackson worked as a teaching assistant for two semesters, assisting in both a first-year introductory agricultural economics course and an advanced data optimization course. He also was an undergraduate research assistant and contributed to research on farmers' perceptions of variable rate application technology and their willingness to adopt solar energy on marginal land. Beyond the classroom, Jackson was an active member of the K-State Marching Band, serving as a section leader for multiple years.

 

Grace Roth is a graduate student studying Agriculture Education and Communications. Grace was raised in Western Kansas where she found her passion for the future of water in Kansas and its impact on farmers and ranchers affected by the decline of Ogallala Aquifer. She received her bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications and Journalism from Kansas State University in May 2024. Before receiving her degree, Grace actively promoted water conservation, and education practices. Her dedication to advocacy and education has shaped her career path and inspired her to continue to play an active role in the state’s water resource issues.

 

Robert Sholl is a graduate student studying Statistics with a focus in spatio-temporal models. Robert was raised on the importance of nature conservation, growing up between the beaches of the Monterey Bay and the mountains of Colorado Springs. He received his bachelor's degree in Microbiology at K-State in Spring 2021. After graduation Robert worked as a toxicology chemist, a corporate educator, and a real estate data analyst. He returned to K-State to merge those industry skills with academic research to produce impactful tools for the future of Kansas agriculture.

Townley Family Scholars

The Duane and Terry Townley Family Scholarship is awarded to two undergraduate students who demonstrate exemplary work and are leaders in water research. The scholarship was established to support students interested in the field of water resources, and helps to fund their work in undergraduate research.

Josiah Quinlan is a junior in the department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. His research focuses on the downstream environmental impacts of the water injection dredging process in Tuttle Creek Reservoir. Josiah’s research is part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary effort to investigate the effects of this unique dredging process and may help form future dredging policies at other sites.

 

 

Helen Winters is a double major in Fisheries, Wildlife, Conservation, and Environmental Biology and Biology. Her research is on big bluestem, with a focus on how this dominant prairie grass adapts to climate and responds to differing water availabilities. This work will help form conclusions about the productivity, health, and ability of an ecosystem to support grazing.

 

 

Undergraduate Research Fellows

The KWI Undergraduate Research Fellows Program is a two-semester program that supports K-State students who are conducting a water-related research project with a K-State faculty member. This program is designed to support juniors or seniors with their undergraduate research experiences.

Connor Albright (Chemical Engineering): Data-driven forecasting of soil water content using Kansas Mesonet and machine learning.

 

Allison Ricker (Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology): Anatomical adaptations to water stress in a dominant prairie grass across a precipitation gradient.

 

 

 

 

Emma Grace Tyndall (Environmental Science): The impact of woody encroachment on soil water chemistry and isotopic composition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gwen VanLeeuwen (Mechanical Engineering): Onsite microplastic testing device for Kansas water.