Water@UW-Madison

Rising Tides Seminar: Dr. Karletta Chief
2025-02-26 12:05 - 12:55 (America/Chicago) | 102 Water Science and Engineering Laboratory, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Join Water@UW-Madison and the Center for Limnology in welcoming Dr. Karletta Chief to the UW-Madison campus for this year’s Rising Tides seminar. Dr. Chief will present her talk titled: University-Community Research Response to COVID-19.
The diversity, equity, and inclusion committee at the Center for Limnology has created an annual lecture series. The invited speaker this year is Dr. Karletta Chief from the University of Arizona. Dr. Chief is a Diné hydrologist who devotes all her environmental research to supporting the resilience of Indigenous communities and training of students in sustainable technologies.
Date, time, location: Feb. 26, 2025. 12:05 – 12:55 in Water Science Engineering Laboratory Room 102 (660 N Park St.)

Rising Tides Scholar - Biology Colloquium
2025-02-27 15:30 - 16:30 | Room 108, Noland Hall, 250 N. Mills St, Madison, 53706, United States
Join Water@UW-Madison and the Center for Limnology in welcoming Dr. Karletta Chief to the UW-Madison campus as the Rising Tides Scholar. Dr. Chief will present her talk titled: Impacts to Diné Activities with the San Juan River after the Gold King Mine Spill
The diversity, equity, and inclusion committee at the Center for Limnology has created an annual lecture series. The invited speaker this year is Dr. Karletta Chief from the University of Arizona. Dr. Chief is a Diné hydrologist who devotes all her environmental research to supporting the resilience of Indigenous communities and training of students in sustainable technologies.
Date, time, location: Feb. 27, 2025. 3:30 – 4:30 pm in Noland Hall – Room 108 (250 N Mills St.)

Reflecting on Community-Based Water Research: Lessons Learned from Water@UW-Madison Seed Grant Program
2025-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
The Water@UW-Madison and Morgridge Center for Public Service’s Community-Based Water Research Grant Program supports community-driven water work conducted in partnership with UW-Madison faculty, staff and graduate students. Since 2022, the program has funded 12 unique and inspiring projects that forge collaborative pathways to meeting water-related challenges and promoting sustainable solutions.
Join us as we reflect on the work and lessons learned along the way. New and past Water@UW-Madison grantees will share insights into best practices and challenges in conducting participatory research. Research teams will present summaries of their work, and a moderator will facilitate discussions among panelists and field questions from the audience.
Whether you’re well-practiced in community-based research or looking to incorporate a new CBR component into your water-related work, we invite you to join the conversation.
Register Here

The Flow Project: 2025 Art Show Opening in Stevens Point
2025-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Holiday Inn & Convention Center, 1001 Amber Ave, Stevens Point, WI, 54482, United States
Explore and celebrate water through art! The Flow Project paired undergraduate students from University of Wisconsin campuses with water professionals across the state to create art inspired by water. The gallery opening runs from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 26. The artists will be present to discuss their work and inspiration. The show is open to the public during this time. Subsequently, the exhibit will be up until 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 28, but viewing during this time is limited to registered members of the Wisconsin Lakes and Rivers Convention.

AEESP Distinguished Lecture Series
2025-04-02 09:30 - 10:30 | Cheney Room, Engineering Hall, 1415 Engineering Dr, Madison, 53706, United States
Professor Lynn Katz is the Hussein M Alharthy Centennial Chair in Civil Engineering and Director of the Center for Water and the Environment at the University of Texas at Austin.
Dr. Katz has over thirty years of experience examining the application of aquatic surface chemistry to understanding the fate and transport of contaminants in the environment and toward the development of treatment technologies for contaminated water and soil. Her current research has a strong focus on improving water treatment for underserved communities. As a faculty member at the University of Texas, she has served as Chair of the Engineering Faculty Women’s Organization, Chair of the Faculty Womens’ Organization, co-chair of the University Faculty Gender Equity Council, Associate Chair of the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and Chair of the Cockrell School of Engineering Faculty Promotion and Review Committee.
Lecture Title: Translating Molecular Science to Practical Application in Natural Systems and Engineered Processes
Environmental contamination from anthropogenic activities is often defined by the presence of either legacy or emerging contaminants. Superfund sites associated with legacy contaminants were the focus of environmental remediation activities in the twentieth century. Now, “emerging contaminants” have captured the focus of the environmental community. However the distinction between legacy and merging contaminants is often blurred, especially for metals and metalloids, because once these species enter the environment, they cannot be destroyed and often re-emerge. The unique properties of elements such as Pb, Hg, Ra, Cd, Zn, Cr, As, Se, B, Li and rare earth elements make them valuable economic resources; demand is growing rapidly and will continue to grow throughout the world. Their toxicity, fate and transport depend on their concentration and speciation. The context specific nature of metal ion contamination can also be viewed from an evolutionary perspective. While emerging organic contaminants often derive from the synthesis of novel compounds that provide unique marketable properties, emerging inorganic contaminants often arise from natural resource extraction that yields environmental concentrations above their natural cycles established during evolutionary timeframes. The inability of ecosystems and humans to rapidly adapt to these increased concentrations suggests that caution is needed whenever new elements or higher concentrations of more common metals are introduced or re-introduced into the environment, especially when they are combined with other elements that alter their speciation, electronic structure, or bioavailability.
Significant advances have been made over the past few decades, toward understanding the complex reaction chemistry that controls speciation and ultimately dictates potential treatment and remediation options. Advanced spectroscopic, computational and molecular level tools have been key to identifying speciation and quantifying thermodynamic and kinetic processes. Using tools such as x-ray and vibrational spectroscopy, the structure of ions and interfacial water at interfaces has been revealed. Computational tools have provided validation of molecular structures observed via spectroscopy, confirmed the presence of complexes and ion-pairs at surfaces and within pores, and allowed quantification of thermodynamic parameters of processes such as sorption and precipitation. The translation of these results to predict contaminant fate and transport in natural systems has relied on macroscopic or thermodynamic based models such as surface complexation models for oxide minerals or the Donnan-Manning model for membrane systems. The continual refinement of these models is often guided by molecular level insights that provide more accurate descriptions of sorption, ion exchange and precipitation processes and more detailed descriptions of the electrical double layers present at charged interfaces. In this seminar, we will explore several examples in which molecular level insights from spectroscopic and/or computational studies have been used to guide modeling of metal ion sorption in water treatment processes, predict ion-pairing in membrane systems, and describe metal(oid) processes in contaminated sediments in mining impacted lakes. Through these examples, we will demonstrate how increased understanding at the molecular level can guide contaminant remediation and treatment options.
Talk: 9:30-10:30
Reception: 10:30 – 11:30

Dr. Laura Reynolds - Coastal Marine Ecology
2025-04-03 15:30 - 16:30 | Room 168, Noland Hall, 250 N. Mills St, Madison, 53706, United States
Join us for a lecture by Coastal Marine Ecologist Dr. Laura Reynolds.
https://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/coastal-and-marine-ecology-lab/

Earth Fest
2025-04-21 - 2025-04-29 | WI
About

Midwest Climate Summit 2025
2025-04-30 - 2025-05-02 | Memorial Union, 800 Langdon St, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
https://midwestclimatecollaborative.wustl.edu/summit2025/
The Midwest Climate Summit is a three-day gathering of climate leaders, researchers, and professionals focused on expanding knowledge, accelerating climate action, and catalyzing new partnerships for an equitable Midwestern response to the climate crisis. It is the premiere event in the region for those responding to the climate crisis in the Midwest.
Join the MCC, and our host, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, on the scenic shore of Lake Mendota at the Memorial Union for this fabulous 3-day event as we move climate ideas and actions forward.

Early Bird Registration is Open!
Early bird prices will end March 7th. Register soon and book your lodging to take advantage of the Summit room blocks.

Water@UW-Madison Spring Symposium
2025-05-05 14:00 - 17:00 | Union South, 1308 W Dayton St, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Water@UW-Madison will host their annual Spring Symposium on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 2-5 pm. The Symposium theme is The Art of Water Research.
There are many definitions of art, all of which are intended and represented in the theme of this year’s Water@UW symposium These definitions include but are not limited to “a branch of learning,” “skill acquired through practice or study,” and “works produced by human creative skill and imagination appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.”

This event will span the broad scope of work happening within the Water@UW network with the goal to highlight the commonalities in process, thought, and beauty of results across disciplines of water research. Presenters who wish to go beyond traditional talk formats to convey the art of their process (how they do water research) and the art of their results (where is the beauty in their work) will be welcomed and encouraged.

We aim for the event to inspire creativity, reveal new perspectives or interpretations of results, and promote an appreciation of the beauty in both water and water research. Through keynotes, lightning presentations, and structured networking time, this event will bring together members of the Water@UW community and beyond and provide opportunities to draw inspiration from the creative approaches each of us bring to our science and art.

Register Now!

Freshwater@UW Summer Research Symposium
2025-07-30 15:00 - 17:30 | Ebling Symposium Center, 1550 Linden Dr, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2025 Freshwater@UW Summer Research Scholars at our annual poster and flash talk event. 30 undergraduates will share the findings from their 10-week summer mentored research experience. This event provides a glimpse into an incredible cross-section of water-related research in the state of Wisconsin, with mentors and undergraduates from many of the Universities of Wisconsin participating. For more information on the research opportunities, including how to get involved as a student or mentor, visit the Freshwater@UW program page
Location:
1220 Microbial Sciences; Ebling Symposium Center
1550 Linden Dr
Madison, WI
53706
Three women discuss water research at an undergraduate summer research Symposium.
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Water@UW-Madison Grad Student Welcome
2025-08-27 16:00 - 17:30 | Memorial Union Terrace, 800 Langdon, Madison, WI, 53706, United States
We’ll see you at the Terrace: outside if it’s nice out, inside if it isn’t. Look for us, we’ll have a few of our blue and white umbrellas to give you a visual!

Water Partnership Workshop
2025-09-11 09:00 - 16:00 | Fluno Center (Skyview Room), 601 University Ave, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Join us for a dynamic, matchmaking-style workshop that brings together community leaders and UW–Madison water researchers with the goal of sparking collaborative, community-engaged projects.

Meet with community partners eager to collaborate on water-related research
Learn about local priorities, challenges, and opportunities
Participate in roundtable discussions and facilitated conversation
Spark new ideas and co-develop water projects

Water@UW-Madison is a cross-disciplinary network of researchers committed to community-engaged, policy-relevant water research that serves Wisconsin’s people and ecosystems. This workshop is designed to connect community groups with researchers who share interests in water-related challenges.
Workshop is full.
Thank you for your interest in this opportunity! Please contact water@mailplus.wisc.edu to join our list and receive communication about future opportunities.

2025 Fall Art & Science Poster Session
2025-11-04 16:00 - 18:00 | Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, 330 N Orchard St, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Last year, the Water@UW-Madison Graduate Students organized a fun poster walk to build a sense of community among attendees.
2025 Abstract Book
Join us for an evening of interdisciplinary exchange and networking at the Water@UW-Madison Fall Art & Science Poster Session. We look forward to sharing both traditional and non-traditional science posters, art, photography and other work. Please consider sharing a poster, graphical display, or work of art. Re-purposed work from past events is very welcome!

Posters about water research from across our network
Cross- and interdisciplinary displays, works of art, and water-themed work
Poster and art walks that build community and camaraderie
A poster contest with recognition and awards
An interactive component for visitors

This is shaping up to be a great event, we hope you join us!
Fill out the registration form linked below to attend or to submit a poster or project for display:
Register Now

Water@UW-Madison 2026 Spring Symposium
2026-04-22 14:00 - 17:00 | Frank Holt Center, 1650 Kronshage Dr., Madison, WI, 53706
Register Here

Blue Futures
“Blue Futures” captures the urgency and opportunity at the heart of water sustainability. As emerging technologies, scientific innovation, and evolving policy landscapes transform the way we live and work, this event explores their influence on water systems. It highlights the innovations, partnerships, and policies redefining how we understand, manage, and protect our most vital water resources.
This event is part of UW–Madison Earth Fest 2026, a campus-wide celebration of sustainability and the environment.

Freshwater@UW + STORM Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium
2026-07-30 15:00 - 17:30 | Wisconsin Institute for Discovery, 330 N Orchard St, Madison, WI, 53715, United States
Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of the 2025 Freshwater@UW Summer Research Scholars at our annual poster and flash talk event. 39 undergraduates will share the findings from their 9-week summer mentored research experience. This event provides a glimpse into an incredible cross-section of atmospheric and water-related research in the state of Wisconsin, with mentors and undergraduates from many of the Universities of Wisconsin participating. For more information on the research opportunities, including how to get involved as a student or mentor, visit the Freshwater@UW program page.
Wisconsin Institute for Discovery
3pm – 4pm Flash Talks – DeLuca Forum
4pm – 5:30pm Poster Session – Atrium
Three women discuss water research at an undergraduate summer research Symposium.
