Two UCF environmental engineering doctoral students were honored with prestigious scholarships for their research in potable water at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) 2024 Annual Conference and Exhibition in Anaheim, California.
Award recipients Gabriela Ford ‘22 and Nino Stea ‘23 are graduate research assistants who work in the Water Quality Engineering Research Group (WQERG) led by Professor Steve Duranceau. Both Ford and Stea received their undergraduate degrees from UCF and first began working with the WQERG as undergraduate research assistants.
Ford received the $10,000 Carollo Engineers Bryant L. Bench Scholarship, which will support her passion for water treatment research and help her achieve her goal of becoming a consulting engineer. At the WQERG, Ford works with Central Florida municipalities to develop and execute corrosion control and coagulation studies. She is currently assisting the Jupiter Water Utilities Department to implement a 65-gallon-per-minute reverse osmosis pilot plant, which treats a blend of brackish groundwater and nanofiltration concentrate.
As the 2024 recipient of the $5,000 Woodard & Curran Scholarship, Stea received recognition for her research on providing innovative solutions for environmental and water issues. The Woodard and Curran Scholarship supports deserving students from underrepresented groups pursuing a graduate degree in water-related engineering.
Stea first became interested in potable water during her undergraduate journey, joining the WQERG in 2019 when she became determined to educate herself on how to combat the increasing number of pollutants to improve water quality. The group is where she first learned about the scholarship and has opened many doors for Nino, getting her involved in water and wastewater treatment projects.
Currently, she is the lead graduate student working with the Sarasota Utilities Department to screen potable water for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are emerging contaminants of concern due to their bio-accumulative property, recalcitrant behavior and possible carcinogenic effects.
“My research focuses on the contaminants’ chemistry, how their molecular structure plays a role in remediation of PFAS-laden media, and possible degradation technology that may be a candidate for contaminant mineralization within the reasonable cost and operational conditions,” says Stea.
In addition to her contributions in the lab, Stea inspires a new generation of engineers with her passion as a STEM ambassador. Through leading hands-on activities related to water and wastewater, teaching what it means to be an environmental engineer and judging science fair projects, Stea hopes to help the youth find their calling while opening their eyes to the importance of STEM fields. Her scholarship is proof of the impact she has already made as an environmental engineering student.
“The Woodard & Curran scholarship funds will support my personal, intellectual and professional growth throughout my graduate studies, specifically my research related to emerging contaminants present in the water, wastewater and biosolids, with the focus on identifying effective treatment schemes while considering the operational constraints,” Stea says. “I am grateful to be the 2024 Woodard & Curran scholarship recipient, and for everyone that made it happen.”
- Written by Kyra Martin
- July 24, 2024