The University of Arizona (UA) Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) will be hiring two post-doctoral research associates into 24-month positions beginning in early 2022. These opportunities both provide a foundation for building a research portfolio and contributing to greater awareness and understanding of water resources in Arizona and the West. Both positions require that the candidate hold a PhD in a field with relevance to the position description at the time of hiring.
April 30, 2021
Water and COVID-19 in Indian Country
On Wednesday, April 21, the Arizona Institutes for Resilience, in partnership with the WRRC and the Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy, hosted the second episode of the "Water Solutions for Our Warmer World" webinar series. This session, “Water and COVID-19 in Indian Country,” featured a panel of Indigenous leaders and experts to discuss shared issues and concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on Native Nations.
Karletta Chief, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist at UArizona, highlighted the work of Indigenous scholars and researchers in mapping COVID-19 infections on Native Nations and its correlation with the lack of indoor plumbing in infected households. Chairwoman Gwendena Lee-Gatewood of the White Mountain Apache Tribe described the reality of declining water quality in Indian Country, and commented, “It has taken a national pandemic to expose the drinking water crisis in Indian country, but we will keep fighting to secure a clean and reliable water supply for our members.” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez pointed out the fact that specialized medical care is underfunded on the reservation. On a positive note, President Nez noted the success of the Navajo vaccination effort, stating that more than half of the Navajo people have been fully vaccinated. Otakuye Conroy-Ben, Assistant Professor at Arizona State University's School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, shared her work examining COVID-19 in wastewater from Indigenous communities. Beatrice Norton, Board Chair of the Oraibi, AZ Hopi village, reported about the help she received from the CARES Act and the Indian Health Services to fund water tanks and trailers to transport water to houses. Crystal Tulley-Cordova, Principal Hydrologist of the Water Management Branch at the Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources, emphasized the need for water infrastructure capital development and financial support for system maintenance.
Episode 3 of the webinar series, “The Realities of Adaptation in the Water Sector,” will be held Wednesday, May 19, from 4:00-5:30 pm MST.
Photo: Nikki Tulley (WRRC 2020 Photo Contest Winner)
Water Series Recordings
Recent News
November 24, 2021
The WRRC Gives Thanks
This week there will be no Weekly Wave due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Instead, we would like to share a few of the many things we are thankful for.
November 19, 2021
Evolving Science Education with ASTA
Creativity drove this year's Arizona Science Teachers Association (ASTA) Annual conference, with the theme of “Teaching Science in an Evolving Climate.” APW contributed three live sessions covering everything from “Barrio walks” to developing and using a variety of models to construct explanations, and exploring our groundwater system.
November 19, 2021
Student Research Presented at WRRC Brown Bag
On Wednesday, November 10, the WRRC hosted a Brown Bag webinar featuring presentations by student researchers who received funding in 2020 through the WRRC from the Water Resources Research Act, Section 104(b) grant program.
November 19, 2021
Infrastructure Deal is Big News for WRRC and Water Sector
Did you know that the WRRC was part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill? The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed into law this week, contains historic investment in water resources and, of particular importance to the WRRC
November 12, 2021
AWRA 2021 Annual Conference Presentations Highlight Engagement
The American Water Resources Association (AWRA) Annual Water Resources Conference was held virtually this week, November 8-10, 2021. On the first day of the conference, WRRC Director Sharon B. Megdal and Graduate Student Assistant Simone A. Williams presented at two separate sessions on different WRRC efforts.