Welcome Dr. Katherine Wardinski to the Water Institute

The Water Institute is thrilled to welcome Dr. Katherine Wardinski as a Postdoctoral Associate. With a strong background in hydrology, soil science, and engineering, Dr. Wardinski enhances our understanding of water quality and biogeochemical processes in Florida’s springs, groundwater, and forested headwaters.

Dr. Wardinski holds a B.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and a M.S. and a Ph.D. in Biological Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech. During her undergraduate studies, she engaged in stream restoration research as part of the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates and completed an internship focused on stormwater management with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Her master’s research focused on water-soluble organic matter from soils in wetland-dominated landscapes. Dr. Wardinski was awarded the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship, and during her doctoral studies, she continued researching dissolved organic matter cycling at terrestrial-aquatic interfaces in wetland-dominated landscapes, stormwater control measures, and drinking supply watersheds.

The Water Institute is excited to work with Dr. Wardinski to learn more about Florida’s water resources and the processes and mechanisms that control water quality.

October 21, 2025