Role: Associate Director, One Water Solutions Institute

How are you connected to CSU Spur?

The CSU One Water Solutions Institute is focused on connecting our world-class research and innovative software solutions to solve real-world water and environmental challenges. We recently embarked on a new journey at the CSU Spur campus and are now co-located in the Hydro building. Here, our team is launching a variety of initiatives aimed at addressing global challenges at the local level. Our work is centered around engagement and innovation in three primary activities at Spur:

1. The Water Technology Accelerator Platform (Water TAP for short) is a first-of-its-kind, cutting-edge facility for testing water treatment technologies on different water sources to study the best ways we can clean and reuse water. Here, we develop fit-for-purpose water recycling approaches and technologies to improve community resilience.
2. OWSI offers cloud-based software solutions and a suite of customized online tools for managing water and linked environmental resources in a changing world. Our services are used to assist with strategic and tactical decision-making for sustainable management of water, land, energy, and other connected resources. We provide web-based software and online tools to holistically assess water and other linked resources.
3. Our team provides an array of workforce development activities and conducts a variety of in-person training events, online and hybrid courses, and professional certification programs. We educate and prepare water resource leaders for solving complex problems. Our students receive real-world training that prepares them to face tough challenges in their careers.

As associate director, I assist with the management, implementation, and coordination of several national research centers and CSU programs, and I am responsible for business development, program management, and project administration for the team. I am the lead contact for the team’s CSU Spur activities, including partnership development, programming and project administration, communications, and tours.

When did you get involved with Spur and why is it important to you? 

OWSI has been engaged with Spur planning and design since 2017! We participated in some of the initial stakeholder engagement activities with the local GES community, conducted an initial sustainability analysis for NWC, and were very closely involved in the design and construction of the Water TAP. I am privileged to have been on this journey for so many years and am thrilled to see it all come to life! We moved into Hydro when it opened in January 2023 and have been on-site daily ever since.

What outcomes have you seen or do you expect from work at Spur? 

We facilitate collaboration between the University and outside partners including public, private, and non-governmental organizations through a variety of technical research, software development, training, and educational activities. Our activities and engagement with the Spur ecosystem have jump-started several new collaborations with external partners representing the energy, agricultural, and water resources industries while simultaneously expanding our existing relationships with state and local governments, municipalities, and water utilities. We have started implementing several exciting research projects focused on fit-for-purpose water use and One Water strategies in both the Water TAP and Hydro Backyard.

What would you like others to know about Spur?

This campus and its community are truly unique. The awe that I see on visitors’ faces every day – from the youngest minds to seasoned researchers, industry leaders, and lifelong learners – inspires me to continue pursuing my dream of making a difference in the world. Physically and intellectually engaging with all ages and backgrounds is not something CSU researchers can always do. Spur makes this a reality; everything we do is on display, science is in action, and our research is accessible to everyone who visits the campus. The Spur focus on the food-energy-water-health nexus draws attention to these important intersections for creating resilient communities. I have brought family, friends, and kiddos to this campus many times – everyone walks away inspired and eager to come back and learn more!