WaTER Lab Graduate Students
Mairead Brogan, Forestry Ph.D. Student - Northern Arizona University
Research Interests: I received a B.A. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado in 2022. I'm interested in studying the ways that trees use water and adapt to stressors like drought and fire, and how forests fit into larger hydrologic systems. I am also passionate about science education, outreach and communication.
Hobbies: Climbing, Backpacking, Backcountry Skiing and Baking
Favorite Water Body: East River in Gothic, Colorado
Hometown: I'm originally from Wayne, PA
Research Interests: I received a B.A. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado in 2022. I'm interested in studying the ways that trees use water and adapt to stressors like drought and fire, and how forests fit into larger hydrologic systems. I am also passionate about science education, outreach and communication.
Hobbies: Climbing, Backpacking, Backcountry Skiing and Baking
Favorite Water Body: East River in Gothic, Colorado
Hometown: I'm originally from Wayne, PA
Emory Ellis, Forestry Ph.D. Student - Northern Arizona University
Research Interests: I received a BA from Hampshire College with a focus in Forest Hydrology and an MS from the University of British Columbia, Okanagan, in Earth and Environmental Sciences, where my thesis focused on the effect of juvenile thinning on the depth to water uptake of lodgepole pines. My current work focuses on modeling vadose zone fluxes with a focus in soil water storage, subsurface flow paths, and vegetation water use in the Sierra Ancha Experimental Forest.
Hobbies: Biking, fishing, reading, embroidering, nature walks, & cooking
Favorite Water Body: Athabasca river
Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Connor Carpenter, Biology M.S. Student - Northern Arizona University
Research Interests: I received a B.S. Environmental Science with an emphasis in Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology from Western Washington University in 2023. After graduation, I served as an AmeriCorps member at Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group in Mount Vernon, Washington doing salmon habitat restoration, which included fieldwork, native plant nursery management, environmental education, and outreach events. This experience has made my passion for restoration stronger and something I want to pursue career-wise. I am interested in studying the relationships between Ponderosa pine trees and their environments, from soil to water to other native plants, and how that is impacted by climate change. I am interested in seeing how this information can be compiled together to provide stakeholders with the best management plans to ensure longevity of these amazing Southwest mountain ecosystems.
Hobbies: reading, hiking, crocheting, tennis, and paddle boarding
Favorite Water Body: Skagit Watershed in Washington State
Hometown: I was born and raised in Flagstaff, AZ, but also consider Bellingham, WA a second home!
Research Interests: I received a B.S. Environmental Science with an emphasis in Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecology from Western Washington University in 2023. After graduation, I served as an AmeriCorps member at Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group in Mount Vernon, Washington doing salmon habitat restoration, which included fieldwork, native plant nursery management, environmental education, and outreach events. This experience has made my passion for restoration stronger and something I want to pursue career-wise. I am interested in studying the relationships between Ponderosa pine trees and their environments, from soil to water to other native plants, and how that is impacted by climate change. I am interested in seeing how this information can be compiled together to provide stakeholders with the best management plans to ensure longevity of these amazing Southwest mountain ecosystems.
Hobbies: reading, hiking, crocheting, tennis, and paddle boarding
Favorite Water Body: Skagit Watershed in Washington State
Hometown: I was born and raised in Flagstaff, AZ, but also consider Bellingham, WA a second home!
Dr. Seyed Mohammad Moein Sadeghi
Forest Hydrology Postdoc, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University
Research Interests: I am particularly interested in linking silvicultural treatments and forest management practices to hydrological cycles (which is why I like to use the term “silvihydrologist”—I have been considering writing a paper on this concept for the past four years). My research investigates precipitation partitioning processes (throughfall, stemflow, and interception) and how they regulate water movement through forest ecosystems. I examine the hydrological consequences of both natural disturbances (e.g., wildfire, insect and disease outbreaks, biological invasions) and human-driven disturbances (e.g., logging, thinning, prescribed fire, and planting). These processes influence water quality and quantity across spatial scales ranging from individual forest stands to regional and global systems. Currently, my work explores how forest management and climate interact to shape snowpack dynamics, soil moisture, and fuel moisture in northern Arizona, with field studies centered at the SRP Dude and Sierra Ancha sites.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading philosophy, with Spinoza and Nietzsche as particular favorites, and revisiting classic texts in silviculture. I am also an avid reader of Russian literature, with authors such as Tolstoy, Chekhov, Gorky, Dostoevsky, and Voinovich among my favorites, as well as Persian literature. I like cooking traditional Persian dishes and experimenting with drink mixes to explore new flavors. Also, I enjoy watching soccer, wrestling, and volleyball, and I am always up for a good series or film.
Favorite Water Body: Karun River, Ahvaz, southern Iran
Favorite Trees: Oriental beech and linden
Hometown: I was born in Tehran, the vibrant capital of Iran, and grew up in the warm, sunny south of Khuzestan province.
Dr. Seyed Mohammad Moein Sadeghi
Forest Hydrology Postdoc, School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University
Research Interests: I am particularly interested in linking silvicultural treatments and forest management practices to hydrological cycles (which is why I like to use the term “silvihydrologist”—I have been considering writing a paper on this concept for the past four years). My research investigates precipitation partitioning processes (throughfall, stemflow, and interception) and how they regulate water movement through forest ecosystems. I examine the hydrological consequences of both natural disturbances (e.g., wildfire, insect and disease outbreaks, biological invasions) and human-driven disturbances (e.g., logging, thinning, prescribed fire, and planting). These processes influence water quality and quantity across spatial scales ranging from individual forest stands to regional and global systems. Currently, my work explores how forest management and climate interact to shape snowpack dynamics, soil moisture, and fuel moisture in northern Arizona, with field studies centered at the SRP Dude and Sierra Ancha sites.
Hobbies: I enjoy reading philosophy, with Spinoza and Nietzsche as particular favorites, and revisiting classic texts in silviculture. I am also an avid reader of Russian literature, with authors such as Tolstoy, Chekhov, Gorky, Dostoevsky, and Voinovich among my favorites, as well as Persian literature. I like cooking traditional Persian dishes and experimenting with drink mixes to explore new flavors. Also, I enjoy watching soccer, wrestling, and volleyball, and I am always up for a good series or film.
Favorite Water Body: Karun River, Ahvaz, southern Iran
Favorite Trees: Oriental beech and linden
Hometown: I was born in Tehran, the vibrant capital of Iran, and grew up in the warm, sunny south of Khuzestan province.
Emily White, Forestry M.S. Student - Northern Arizona University
Research Interests: I got my B.S. in Forestry with a concentration in Environmental Conservation from Mississippi State University in 2024! My research background is in forest biogeochemical cycles, hydrology, and carbon storage. More specifically, my interests are in forest hydrology, wetland management, soils, and forest carbon/nitrogen. Currently I am looking at soil and fuel moisture and how it affects wildfire risk and severity in the Sierra Ancha Experimental Forest.
Hobbies: Hiking, travel, reading, sports
Favorite Water Body: Little River, Smokey Mountains National Park
Hometown: Sherman, TX/Danville, KY
Undergraduate Students
Monse Caueque, NAU School of Forestry BS
Jacob Gluck, NAU Ecoinformatics BS
Grace Lechowski, NAU School of Forestry BS
Amariz Ochoa, NAU School of Forestry BS
Paige Whitton, NAU School of Forestry BS
Marc Gomez, NAU School of Forestry BS
CJ Hyatt, NAU School of Forestry BS
Taite Stotts, NAU Geology BS
Jacob Gluck, NAU Ecoinformatics BS
Grace Lechowski, NAU School of Forestry BS
Amariz Ochoa, NAU School of Forestry BS
Paige Whitton, NAU School of Forestry BS
Marc Gomez, NAU School of Forestry BS
CJ Hyatt, NAU School of Forestry BS
Taite Stotts, NAU Geology BS
Lab Alumni
Haley Farwell, 2025 - NAU School of Forestry MS - Currently an Environmental and Water Resources Data Analyst with SGM, Inc.
Elise McKeever, 2025, UMD Water Resources Science PhD - Currently a Hydrologist with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Erika Winner, 2025, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently an Engineering Geologist with Cal Fish & Wildlife
Charles Hasler, 2024, NAU Forestry BS
Colin Whitehead, 2024, NAU Forestry BS
Erin Bergen, 2024, UMD Integrated Biosciences MS
Elda Silva, 2023, NAU Environmental Engineering BS - Currently an Environmental Scientist with Western Technologies
Milina Valdez, 2023, SIPI REU Student
David J. Adams, 2023, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently a Hydrogeologist at INTERA Inc.
Anna Mayou, 2022, UMD Geology BS - Currently a GIS Specialist at Barr Engineering Co.
Eric Alvarez, 2021, UMD Environmental Science BS
Emma Burgeson, 2021, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently an Ecosystem Restoration Project Manager at Stantec
Mitch Ihlang, 2021, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently a Geologist at Barr Engineering Co.
Julia Petreshen, 2021, UMD Earth Science MS - Currently a Hydrologist with the Yurok Tribe
Sam Neshiem, 2021, UMD Environmental Science BS - Currently a Lab Technician at Michigan State University
Faith Breeden, 2021, UMD Environmental Science BS - Currently a Water Resources Intern at Young Environmental Consulting Group
Micaela Buda, 2021, UMD Environmental Science BS - Currently a Development Manager with Urban Roots
Shelby Kassuelke (née) Hammerschmidt, 2020, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently a Hydrologist with the Minnesota Dept. of Health
Hannah Behar, 2020, UMN Water Resources Science MS - Currently a J.D. Candidate at Emory Law School
Peter Bouchard, 2019, UMD Environmental Science & Biology BS - Check out some of Peter's research here!
Kinzey Schneider (née) Stoll, 2019, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently a Geologist with Barr Engineering Co.
Alex Peichel, 2019, UMD Environmental Science & Biology BS - Currently an Environmental Assessor with Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Lucas Fossum, 2018, UMD Environmental Science BS - Currently an Environmental Scientist at Stantec
Elise McKeever, 2025, UMD Water Resources Science PhD - Currently a Hydrologist with the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
Erika Winner, 2025, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently an Engineering Geologist with Cal Fish & Wildlife
Charles Hasler, 2024, NAU Forestry BS
Colin Whitehead, 2024, NAU Forestry BS
Erin Bergen, 2024, UMD Integrated Biosciences MS
Elda Silva, 2023, NAU Environmental Engineering BS - Currently an Environmental Scientist with Western Technologies
Milina Valdez, 2023, SIPI REU Student
David J. Adams, 2023, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently a Hydrogeologist at INTERA Inc.
Anna Mayou, 2022, UMD Geology BS - Currently a GIS Specialist at Barr Engineering Co.
Eric Alvarez, 2021, UMD Environmental Science BS
Emma Burgeson, 2021, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently an Ecosystem Restoration Project Manager at Stantec
Mitch Ihlang, 2021, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently a Geologist at Barr Engineering Co.
Julia Petreshen, 2021, UMD Earth Science MS - Currently a Hydrologist with the Yurok Tribe
Sam Neshiem, 2021, UMD Environmental Science BS - Currently a Lab Technician at Michigan State University
Faith Breeden, 2021, UMD Environmental Science BS - Currently a Water Resources Intern at Young Environmental Consulting Group
Micaela Buda, 2021, UMD Environmental Science BS - Currently a Development Manager with Urban Roots
Shelby Kassuelke (née) Hammerschmidt, 2020, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently a Hydrologist with the Minnesota Dept. of Health
Hannah Behar, 2020, UMN Water Resources Science MS - Currently a J.D. Candidate at Emory Law School
Peter Bouchard, 2019, UMD Environmental Science & Biology BS - Check out some of Peter's research here!
Kinzey Schneider (née) Stoll, 2019, UMD Water Resources Science MS - Currently a Geologist with Barr Engineering Co.
Alex Peichel, 2019, UMD Environmental Science & Biology BS - Currently an Environmental Assessor with Partner Engineering and Science, Inc.
Lucas Fossum, 2018, UMD Environmental Science BS - Currently an Environmental Scientist at Stantec
