Meet the SWIGS Executives for 2016-17

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

The Water Institute welcomes the newly-elected executive members of the Students of the Water Institute Graduate Section (SWIGS). Made up of volunteers from a variety of disciplines across campus, with very diverse backgrounds, these individuals are brought together by a common interest in water research.

The new executive

  • Chair: Allison Turner, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, CWP
  • Vice Chair Operations: Robert Chlumsky, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Vice Chair Academic: Sabrina Bedjera, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CWP
  • Vice Chair Social: Jess Kidd, Department of Biology
  • Vice Chair External Outreach: Logan Koeth, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, CWP
  • Vice Chair Internal Outreach Irene Brueckner-Irwin, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, CWP
  • Vice Chair Conference: Nicole Stamnes, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, CWP

About the executive

allison
Chair: Allison Turner
Faculty of Environment
School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability – CWP

Allison is a proud native of the midwestern United States —she grew up at the confluence of the Illinois River and spent her undergraduate years at Purdue University supporting stormwater management and sustainability initiatives. A Fulbright grant prompted Allison to pursue graduate studies in Canada, where she is currently working on her MES under Rob de Loë. Her research examines the influence of external pressures on the binational Detroit River Area of Concern. Through SWIGS, Allison is excited to support interdisciplinary water-related collaborations between graduate students, the Water Institute, and any others!

Jess
Vice Chair Social: Jess Kidd
Faculty of Science
Department of Biology – CWP

Originally from Aurora, Ontario, Jess completed her Bachelor of Environment and Resource Studies degree at the University of Waterloo in 2010. She worked for 5.5 years in Alberta as an Environmental Scientist collecting field data for monitoring programs and assessments of energy sector projects. She recently returned to Waterloo to complete her MSc in Biology. Her research focus is the use of fish as indicators in monitoring programs. "Without water there would be no beer," she says.

Rob
​Vice Chair Operations: Robert Chlumsky
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – CWP

Rob first completed his BASc degree in Environmental Engineering at Waterloo, and is currently working on his MASc under James Craig. His research looks at the rigorous validation of hydrologic models in support of decision making. Rob is local to the Waterloo Region and is a big supporter of interdisciplinary approaches to solving water-related issues. As the current Vice Chair of Operations, Rob manages the SWIGS email communications, website, and social media, among other duties. If you have suggestions for the website, are interested in receiving email updates for SWIGS events, or want to write a guest blog on the website, contact Rob at uw.swigs@gmail.com.

Sabrina
​Vice Chair Academic: Sabrina Bedjera
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – CWP

Sabrina found her love of the environment at her family’s cottage swimming in the water, catching frogs and fishing. She initially was drawn to the sciences, specifically biology and math where she studied how urbanization effects river ecosystems. Now working towards getting her Masters in Civil and Environmental Engineering she aims to create a model that will help to predict the removal of contaminants from drinking water. Through her role as VP Academic Sabrina aims to use her interdisciplinary background and love of education to host academic events and seminars.

Logan
Vice Chair External Outreach: Logan Koeth
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – CWP

Logan is passionate and dedicated to working with multiple disciplines to solve real world water problems. Her research examines groundwater emergence in rivers and creeks, under the advisory of Bill Annable. Her goal as Outreach Chair External is to connect water students with various entities, through projects and events outside of the University of Waterloo. Email her at swigs.outreach@gmail.com if you have an idea for an event, or if you would like to get involved with planning future events. Stay tuned for many exciting events to come!

Nicole
​Vice Chair Conference: Nicole Stamnes
Faculty of Environment
School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability – CWP

Originally growing up in BC, Nicole completed her BSc from Simon Fraser University. She has always had a passion for water-related research, and looks forward to engaging with students around campus and learning about the wide variety of past, current and future research projects. Having recently moved to Ontario, Nicole is completing her MES under Simon Courtenay, researching how risk management can bridge environmental monitoring programs with decision-making processes for marine ecosystem-based management. As conference chair of SWIGS Nicole looks forward to organizing World Water Day, providing students a space where they can discuss and display their research through a university-wide conference.