Drew Eppehimer article in the Hydrobiologia Journal and his awards
Since starting his PhD program in the Arid Lands Resource Sciences in the Fall 2016 semester Drew Eppehimer has published 3 articles. The most recent one: “Evaluating the potential of treated effluent as novel habitats,for aquatic invertebrates in arid regions”” appeared in the July 2020 issue of Hydrobiologia, The International Journal of Aquatic Sciences.
Lay Abstract of this article:
In arid and semi-arid climates natural river and stream systems are becoming more scarce. However, there are artificial sources of water that can help augment or recreate aquatic habitat where natural flow has been diminished or lost. Wastewater treatment plants often discharge their treated effluent into rivers, and in some cases provide the only source of year round flow. One example is the lower Santa Cruz River near Tucson, AZ. We examined the aquatic invertebrate communities in this river to better understand how this effluent impacts the ecosystem. The effluent flow in the Santa Cruz River supported a very diverse community of invertebrates and was shaped by a combination of water quality and flow dynamics unique to effluent-dependent systems. This research suggests that treated wastewater could be managed for environmental benefit.
Drew is studying the diversity and structure of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities, water quality and quantity issues, and the impacts of microplastic pollution on aquatic communities in wastewater-dominated streams.
Drew is also a multi-awarded graduate student, he has received the following awards:
- WateReuse Arizona Scholarship, May 2017, $2000
- Carter Travel Award, November 2017, $500
- Southern Arizona Environmental Management Society, May 2018, $2000
- WRRC 104b Research Grant, June 2018, $9000
- Graduate & Professional Student Council Travel Grant, May 2017 and 2019, $750 each year
- The Babbitt Dissertation Fellowship Award, April 2018 $10,000
- SW CASC NRWD Fellowship, February 2019, $5000
- The Robert & Ethel Warner Fellowship award from GIDP, July $2,700
Drew has 2 Master's degrees: one in is an MS Environmental Science from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana and the other an MS in Justice Studies from the Arizona State University. Drew's interestt in water and water issue is reflected on what he wrote in his personal statement when he applied to the program.
"My fascination with water and the organisms that live within it was extremely apparent from a young age. It was this fascination that defined my various hobbies such as fishing, sailing, canyoneering, and SCUBA diving-‐ hobbies that have ultimately directed my life’s trajectory in an attempt to better understand and therefore better appreciate these aquatic systems. The resulting academic and professional experiences have spanned topics such as ecohydrology and water management policies in the Sonoran Desert to the population dynamics of pelagic prey fishes in the Great Lakes, and these experiences have continued to fuel my fascination and my desire for greater understanding of the life within and dependent on this liquid realm. It is this continued desire to learn and this passion for water that has drawn me to the University of Arizona’s Arid Lands Resource Sciences.
Drew’s expected graduation term is Spring 2021. His advisor is Michael Bogan, Assistant Professor, School of Natural Resources and the Environment.