UTSA Center for Water Research

Center for Water Research Scholarship Recipients

The Center for Water Research (the CWR) is funded to address research and technical issues in water resources in San Antonio and South Texas for the benefit of the people of the State of Texas. In addition, the CWR provides water-related educational services to the University as part of regularly scheduled classes and to the community at large. The scholarships are targeted to students whose thesis research reflects the goals and role of the CWR. The students will be able to use the outstanding research facilities available through the CWR as they work toward completion of their degrees.

Competitive scholarships are available a maximum of two (2) years, contingent upon evidence of satisfactory progress on completing thesis requirements and availability of funding.

Thesis topics are classified in one of the following areas: (1) Hydrology, Hydrogeology, Water Resources; (2) Environmental Chemistry; (3) Civil and Environmental Engineering; (4) Environmental Spatial Analysis; (5) Environmental Microbiology; (6) Environmental Ecology; and (7) Environmental Geomorphology.

Jeremy A. Shields

Research Project Summary (M.S.): Mr. Shield worked with Dr. Kyle Murray growing algae for the purpose of examining the rate and quantity of nitrogen and phosphorous that is utilized by the algal cells as they reproduce. He used the data that was obtained to investigate the potential of using algae to wastewater treatment process in San Antonio, and in other bodies of water across the State of Texas experiencing eutrophication due to contamination from agricultural runoff. (2010)

Research Project Summary (M.S.): The research project is entitled "Contamination of surface water from bird habitation at highway bridges". The objective of this study is to find the impact of bacterial levels on recreational water, i.e. lakes and rivers, due to bird feces and also the impact of runoff into rivers. (2010)

Research Project Summary (M.S.): The research project is entitled "Mitigation Methods for Temporary Concrete Traffic Barrier Effects on Flood Water Flows". The objective of this study is to develop engineering guidelines for the placement of standard and modified CTB (concrete traffic barrier) in bridge, culvert, and floodplain situations.

Advisor: Dr. Sazzad Bin-Shafique, Civil Engineering. (2009)

Thesis Defense: June 22, 2010.

Thesis (M.S.): "Contamination of surface water associated with birds nesting on highway bridges". Call #LD5318.A810 B374

Advisor: Dr. Sazzad Bin-Shafique, Civil Engineering.

Thesis(M.S.): "Adsorption of divalent metals to metal-oxide nanoparticles: Competitive and temperature effects." (2011) More

Advisor: Dr. Heather Shipley, Civil Engineering.

Thesis (M.S.): "Assessment of Clogging Potential of Pervious Concrete".

Advisor: Dr. Sazzad Bin-Shafique, Civil Engineering. (2011)

Thesis (M.S.): "Evaluation of pervious concrete as a best management practice for stormwater in Edwards Aquifer region". Call #LD5318.A809 A943 More

Advisor: Dr. José Weissmann, Civil Engineering.

Thesis (M.S.): "Mapping zones of aquifer recharge and discharge based on correlation of naturally occuring hydrologic features, Central Texas". Call Number LD5318.A809 L878. More

Advisor: Dr. Alan Dutton, Geology.

Thesis (M.S.): "Oxygen isotopes, trace elements, and sedimentology of the Cretaceous-aged Hensel Paleosol indicate aridity and rising temperatures in central Texas". Call #LD5318.A809 W4585. More

Advisor: Dr. Stuart Birnbaum, Geology.

Thesis (M.S.): "An investigation into the effects of an endomycorrhizal fungus, glomus mosseae, on the uptake of led by vetiver grass". Call #LD5318.A808 B373 More

Advisor: Dr. Dibyendu Sarkar, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Hydrometeorological Analysis of Flooding Events in San Antonio, Texas", Call #LD5318.A808 C456. More

Advisor: Dr. Hatim Sharif, Civil Engineering.

Thesis (M.S.): "Using fatty acid methyl esters to differentiate microbial communities in Texas Hill Country grasslands based on time since last disturbance". Call #LD5318.A808 F668. More

Advisor: Dr. Adria Bodour, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Laboratory-scale treatment and microbial profiling of biofilms grown in water supply wells". Call #LD5318.A808 M365. More

Advisor: Dr. Kyle Murray, Geology.

Thesis (M.S.): "Validation of NEXRAD products with rain gauge networks". Call #LD5318.A708 M393. More

Advisor: Dr. Hongjie Xie, Geology.

Thesis (M.S.): "Weathering effects on the hydraulic conductivity of fly ash stabilized soil used in levee and embankment construction". Call #LD5318.A808 M863. More

Advisor: Dr. Sazzad Bin-Shafique, Civil Engineering.

Thesis (M.S.): "Hydrogeologic characterization and water supply assessment of Gulf Coast aquifer in the city of Kenedy". Call #LD5318.A808 Y675. More

Advisor: Dr. Kyle Murray, Geology.

Thesis (M.S.): "Light response of several central Texas species". Call #LD5318.A807 F878. More

Advisor: Dr. Oscan Van Auken, Biology.

Thesis (M.S.): "Culturing and characterization of microorganisms in groundwater well biofilms using water chemistry and 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing. Call #LD5318.A807 H395. More

Advisor: Dr. Adria Bodour, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Discovering the phylogeny of microorganisms and functional genes involved in the arsenic contamination of Battle Mountain Reservation". Call #LD5318.A807 N4. More

Advisor: Dr. Adria Bodour, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Long-term performance of fly ash stabilized expansive soil subbase". Call #LD5318.A807 R346. More

Advisor: Dr. Sazzad Bin-Shafique, Civil Engineering.

Thesis (M.S.): "A greenhouse study on arsenic remediation potential of vetiver grass (vetiveria zizanioides) as function of soil physico-chemical properties". Call #LD5318.A806 Q57. More

Advisor: Dr. Rupali Datta, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Assessing natural attenuation of perchloroethylene (PCE) at Kelly AFB". Call #LD5318.A805 A48. More

Advisor: Dr. Adria Bodour, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Relating oxidation reduction potential with process performance at a wastewater treatment plant". Call #LD5318.A805 B83. More

Advisor: Dr. Enos Inniss, Civil Engineering.

Thesis (M.S.): "Optimizing production of flavolipids from Flavobacterium sp. MTN 11". Call #LD5318.A805 M463. More

Advisor: Dr. Adria Bodour, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Bioavailability of arsenic and phosphorus in a Florida soil amended with water treatment residuals". Call #LD5318.A805 K43. More

Advisor: Dr. Dibyendu Sarkar.

Thesis (M.S.): "Optimization of perchloroethylene (PCE) degradation using raw sewage digester sludge ". Call #LD5318.A805 O98. More

Advisor: Dr. Enos Inniss, Civil Engineering.

Thesis (M.S.): "Application and assessment of optical brighteners for detecting septic system impacts on surface and subsurface waters for a portion of the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone". Call #LD5318.A805 S77. More

Advisor: Dr. Weldon W. Hammond, Geology.

Thesis (M.S.): "Arsenic adsorption and desorption by drinking water treatment residuals". Call #LD5318.A805 M463. More

Advisor: Dr. Dibyendu Sarkar, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Arsenic speciation and bioavailability in cattle dip vat site soils". Call #LD5318.A804 P37. More

Advisor: Dr. Dibyendu Sarkar, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Protocol for culturing organisms involved in the sequential anaerobic and aerobic transformation of tetrachloroethylene". Call #LD5318.A803 B35. More

Advisor: Dr. Enos Inniss, Civil Engineering.

Thesis (M.S.): "Transport and fate of Cryptosporidium and Microsporidium in saturated porous media". Call #LD5318.A803 R95. More

Advisor: Dr. Adria Bodour, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Glomalin in soil organic matter as a function of soil properties". Call #LD5318.A802 H33. More

Advisor: Dr. Dibyendu Sarkar, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Water resources and water quality in rural areas of the developing world". Call #LD5318 .A802 M36. More

Dissertation (Ph.D.): "A decision support system for village water resources in developing areas of the world". Call #LD5318.A705 O36. More

Advisor: Dr. Weldon Hammond, Geology.

Thesis (M.S.): "A GIS database and web application feasibility study for the city of San Antonio Environmental Services Department". Call #LD5318.A802 S78. More

Advisor: Dr. Stephen Brown, Environmental Science.

Thesis (M.S.): "Preliminary facility engineering plan guidelines for an economically distressed area in Webb County, Texas". Call #LD5318 .A802 O76. More

Advisor: Dr. Dr. Enos Inniss, Civil Engineering.

Research Project Summary: Miss Murphy's thesis title is "NEXRAD Reflectivity Derived Rainfall Estimates Comparison with Measurement from Co-Located Rain Gauges".

Advisor: Stephen Ackley, Geology.

Research Project Summary: Miss Castro's thesis title is "Quantifying functional degradation genes of chlorinated solvents from a bioreactor at Camp Stanley, Texas". The primary objective of this project is screening the in situ bioreactor at Camp Stanley both biologically and chemically for the degradation of chlorinated solvents that have contaminated the aquifer below ground.

Advisor: Dr. Adria Bodour, Environmental Science.

Research Project Summary: Miss Chavez is researching root distribution and growth of Juniperus ashei, an Edwards Plateau species, in response to a limestone root barrier, a restriction/fissure zone, and a deep water source.

Advisor: Dr. Paul Jurena, Environmental Science

Research Project Summary: Miss Metzler's thesis title is "Microbial communitiy dynamics and their implications in native grass species restoration of disturbed soils in Texas hill country".

Advisor: Dr. Adria Bodour, Environmental Science.

UTSA
Center for Water Research
Science Building 1.03.04

UTSA

Center for Water Research Scholarship Recipients

One UTSA Circle
Center for Water Research
San Antonio, Texas 78249
Telephone: 210/458-5471 | Fax: 210/458-5753
Required Links

UTSA Center for Water Research Science Building 1.03.04

UTSA

Center for Water Research Scholarship Recipients

One UTSA Circle Center for Water Research San Antonio, Texas 78249 Telephone: 210/458-5471 | Fax: 210/458-5753 Required Links

UTSA
Center for Water Research
Science Building 1.03.04

One UTSA Circle
Center for Water Research
San Antonio, Texas 78249
Telephone: 210/458-5471 | Fax: 210/458-5753
Required Links