Recognizing UF’s Progress in Advancing Sustainable Water Solutions: Highlights from the 2023 AWRA Florida Annual Meeting

Dr. Wendy Graham, the Director of the Water Institute, was honored to serve as the keynote speaker at the 2023 AWRA Florida Annual Meeting held in Key West, Florida last week. Her presentation titled “The UF Water Institute: Developing Innovative Knowledge and Solutions for a Sustainable Water Future” highlighted the accomplishments of the Water Institute’s faculty, staff, students, and collaborative partners.

During the event, five UF students received awards. Jinsheng Huang and Bibek Acharya, graduate students in Agriculture and Biological Engineering, received prestigious Sandy Young Scholarships; Sanneri Santiago Borres, from Environmental Engineering Sciences, was given the Storch Graduate Award; and Malena Gonzalez Fernandez and Andrew Foley, undergraduate students, were presented with Storch Undergraduate Awards.

The event drew a diverse audience, including local, state, and federal decision-makers, as well as all five Water Management District Executive Directors. Dr. Graham’s participation, along with the students’ awards, underscored the substantial impact made by UF Water Institute faculty and students in the realm of water resources, demonstrating UF’s commitment to fostering sustainability in water management.

The Florida Section of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) aims to advance the understanding of water resources and associated challenges. AWRA accomplishes this mission by fostering a multidisciplinary platform for the exchange of information, professional growth, and educational endeavors. The AWRA Florida Section has been supporting the Water Institute Biennial Symposium since 2018 and actively participating in the symposium’s planning committee. This collaboration highlights the strong partnership between the two organizations and emphasizes their shared dedication to enhancing knowledge and solutions in the field of water resources.

August 10, 2023