WaTER Lab Graduate Students
Erika Winner, WRS M.S. Student
Research Interests: I received Bachelors’ in Biology and Geology from Western Washington University in 2014 and a GIS Certificate from Portland State University in 2017. I am interested in watershed science, ecology, and geomorphology. I will be working with the Caspar Creek Experimental Watershed investigating the impacts of logging on ecohydrological processes.
Hobbies: Skiing, rafting, climbing, travel, gardening, and attempting to play the ukulele.
Hometown: Portland, OR
Mitch Ihlang, WRS M.S. Student
Research Interests: I have a bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Minnesota Duluth. My current research examines groundwater recharge through the use of isotopes and numerical modeling. I'm also interested in watershed management and water quality as a whole.
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends and being outside as much as possible!
Hometown: Chanhassen, MN
Emma Burgeson, WRS M.S. Student
Research Interests: I received my Bacherlor's of Science in Environmental Science from Western Washington University in 2014. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in Water Resources Science with a focus on watershed hydrology. My project is looking at the effects of beaver dam removal in the Knife River watershed.
Hobbies: Outside of school, I love canoeing, rock climbing, knitting, and eating any sort of chocolate.
Hometown: St. Paul, MN
Julia Petresen, Geological Sciences M.S. Student
Research Interests: I received my BS in Hydrology from UW-Stevens Point. Since graduating in 2017, I’ve worked for the U.S. Forest Service in several locations including the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds in northern CA. During my time there, I became interested in the plant-soil-water interactions following forest disturbance. I am especially interested in studying fog as a hydrologic input and its influence on soil moisture.
Hobbies: Exploring new places via hiking, biking, swimming or eating
Hometown: Wheaton, IL
Research Interests: I received my BS in Hydrology from UW-Stevens Point. Since graduating in 2017, I’ve worked for the U.S. Forest Service in several locations including the Caspar Creek Experimental Watersheds in northern CA. During my time there, I became interested in the plant-soil-water interactions following forest disturbance. I am especially interested in studying fog as a hydrologic input and its influence on soil moisture.
Hobbies: Exploring new places via hiking, biking, swimming or eating
Hometown: Wheaton, IL
Erin Bergen, IBS M.S. Student
Research Interests: I received two degrees from Northland College in Ashland, WI: a Bachelor's of Geology and a Bachelor's of Natural Resources with an Ecological Restoration emphasis. My research project will work at the intersection of plant physiology and watershed hydrology; I will be testing the water usage traits of locally- and southerly-adapted oak trees and examining their effects on the watersheds they grow within. By and large, I love multidisciplinary approaches to ecological questions.
Hobbies: Reading, writing, arts-and-crafts-ing, playing with animals, drawing, exercising, and being outside!
Hometown: McFarland, WI
Research Interests: I received two degrees from Northland College in Ashland, WI: a Bachelor's of Geology and a Bachelor's of Natural Resources with an Ecological Restoration emphasis. My research project will work at the intersection of plant physiology and watershed hydrology; I will be testing the water usage traits of locally- and southerly-adapted oak trees and examining their effects on the watersheds they grow within. By and large, I love multidisciplinary approaches to ecological questions.
Hobbies: Reading, writing, arts-and-crafts-ing, playing with animals, drawing, exercising, and being outside!
Hometown: McFarland, WI
Undergraduate Students
Eric Alvarez, Environmental Science B.S. Student
Research Interests: I am a junior at the University of Minnesota Duluth, completing my B.S. in Environmental Science. I am currently assisting Dr. Dymond and graduate students with their research which looks at the disturbance of ecohydrological processes on the Caspar Creek Watershed, CA. However, I am planning to complete a UROP in the future.
Hobbies: Tennis, kayaking, skiing, and video games I love anything to do with net and racket sports as well as the outdoors.
Hometown: Maple Grove, MN
Briar Lenz, Environmental Science B.S. Student
Research Interests: I am a freshman at UMD enrolled in the Environmental Science program.
Hobbies: Hiking, baking, kayaking, thrifting, and painting.
Hometown: St James, MN
Faith Breeden, Environmental Science B.S. Student
Research Interests: I am a senior at UMD in the Environmental Science program. I am working on an undergraduate research opportunity that looks at the isotopic composition of the Lester River Watershed to better understand where the water in the watershed is coming from.
Hobbies: hiking, sewing, and hanging out with friends
Hometown: Coon Rapids, MN
Sam Nesheim, Environmental Science B.S. Student
Research Interests: I'm a senior here at UMD finishing up my last year in the Environmental Science program. I'm currently working on an undergraduate research project examining how deep groundwater flow contributes to maintaining winter streamflow and trout refugia in North Shore streams using temperature and isotope analysis.
Hobbies: Nordic skiing, backpacking, biking, hanging out with friends, watching the Vikings
Hometown: Brainerd, MN
Micaela Buda, Environmental Science B.S. Student
Research Interests: I'm a third-year student working toward a BS in Environmental Science at the University of Minnesota Duluth. I'm currently working on an undergraduate research opportunity that investigates Lake Superior's impact on the isotopic fingerprint of the
snow to gain a better understanding of the watershed as a whole.
Hobbies: Teaching outdoor education, cooking, backpacking, talking
Hometown: Rochester, MN
Lab Alumni
Shelby Hammerschmidt, 2020, Water Resources Science MS - Currently a hydrologic technician with the US Forest Service
Hannah Behar, 2020, Water Resources Science MS - Currently an environmental consultant at EarthCon
Peter Bouchard, 2019, Environmental Science & Biology BS - Check out some of Peter's research here!; currently works at the Dept. of Veteran's Affairs
Kinzey Stoll, 2019, Water Resources Science MS - Currently a field technician with the Conservation Corps of MN and IA
Alex Peichel, 2019, Environmental Science & Biology BS - Currently a field technician with the B4Warmed Project
Lucas Fossum, 2018, Environmental Science BS - Currently a field scientist at Terracon
Hannah Behar, 2020, Water Resources Science MS - Currently an environmental consultant at EarthCon
Peter Bouchard, 2019, Environmental Science & Biology BS - Check out some of Peter's research here!; currently works at the Dept. of Veteran's Affairs
Kinzey Stoll, 2019, Water Resources Science MS - Currently a field technician with the Conservation Corps of MN and IA
Alex Peichel, 2019, Environmental Science & Biology BS - Currently a field technician with the B4Warmed Project
Lucas Fossum, 2018, Environmental Science BS - Currently a field scientist at Terracon