Important Information
1. Welcome New Associate Director Courtney Flint!
The UWRL is pleased to welcome Courtney Flint, professor in USU's Department of Environment and Society, as an associate director. Courtney brings deep expertise in natural resource sociology and water resource management, along with several active collaborations with UWRL faculty. Her office is on the south end of the second floor, so please stop by and say hello when you have a chance.
2. Honoring Jagath Kaluarachchi
We honor the life and legacy of Jagath Kaluarachchi, former dean of the College of Engineering at Utah State University, who passed away on March 17 at age 70. A native of Sri Lanka, Kaluarachchi spent more than three decades at USU, where he was widely recognized for his leadership, mentorship, and role in advancing research, academic programs, and global engagement. His impact continues to be felt across the university community, including here at the Utah Water Research Laboratory.
Honoring Jagath Kaluarachchi: A Legacy of Innovation and Growth at USU Engineering
3. UWRL Parking Updates
- The pink Limited Access permits previously available to borrow from the UWRL are no longer valid anywhere on the USU campus. These permits expired when the university transitioned to a license plate recognition system. USU no longer issues physical permits such as hanging tags or dashboard passes.
- Visitor parking requested by students or research staff will now be charged directly to the PI index. Parking for external guests and visitors will continue to be paid by the UWRL.
If you have questions, please reach out to Lacy Susman.
4. Black and White Printing Reminder
Please print in black and white whenever possible. Color copies can become expensive quickly, so please save color printing for times when it is truly needed.
If you need help changing your printer settings or default preferences, Tyler Blackham is happy to help.
Events
- When: April 28, 2026, 5 to 8 p.m.
- What: Senior Design Night
Come cheer on students as they present their work and celebrate the end of the academic year.
- When: April 28, 2026
- What: Final day of shuttle service for the summer
Please plan ahead for transportation needs after April 28.
- When: June 17, 2026, 1 to 3 p.m.
- What: End-of-semester social gathering
More details to come!
UWRL Resources
1. Safety Equipment Locations
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the locations of AEDs, first aid kits, and fire extinguishers throughout the UWRL - especially those on your floor! Knowing where these items are located can save valuable time during an emergency.
- There is an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) on each floor.
- First aid kits are located on the 1st and 3rd floors.
- There are multiple fire extinguishers located on each floor.
Lacy and Ashton are happy to offer a short walkthrough for anyone who would like a refresher. If you are interested, please schedule with Lacy Susman.
2. After-Hours Vehicle Keys
If you need to pick up or drop off a vehicle outside of normal business hours, please use the key drop box by the front door. If you have any questions or would like help locating it, please see Ashton Decker in UWRL Reception.
News
UWRL Faculty Achievements
1. Pin Shuai Receives National Research Funding
Pin Shuai's proposal was one of only seven selected for funding in the USGS 104g General Category. The project, "Advance Baseflow Prediction in Snow-Dominated Watersheds Using Physics-informed Machine Learning," was recognized through the USGS 104g program, which supports innovative university-based research on important regional and national water issues.
2. Belize Lane Named USU Faculty Researcher of the Year
Belize Lane received the 2026 USU Faculty Researcher of the Year Award. The recognition honors outstanding research at Utah State, and reflects her work in physical hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, and water management.
3. Joanna (Liyuan) Hou Honored for Undergraduate Mentorship
Joanna Hou was awarded the USU College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentor of the Year Award. This recognition highlights her outstanding support for undergraduate students as they prepare for research and professional careers.
4. Steve Barfuss Recognized by AWWA
Steve Barfuss was selected to receive the 2026 Distribution and Plant Operations Division Best Article Award from the American Water Works Association. The honored paper is titled "Water Main Break Rates in the United States and Canada."
5. Sierra Young Promoted to Associate Professor with Tenure
Sierra Young has been promoted to associate professor with tenure in USU's Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, with a dual appointment at the Utah Water Research Laboratory. We are excited to celebrate this well-earned milestone with her.
Courtney Flint Named Associate Director of Utah Water Research Laboratory
This story highlights Courtney Flint's appointment as associate director and the experience she brings to the lab's research, partnerships, and future work.
Read Article
Honoring Jagath Kaluarachchi: A Legacy of Growth at USU Engineering
This tribute reflects on Jagath Kaluarachchi's lasting impact on engineering, research growth, and the many students and colleagues he supported at USU.
Read Article
Utah Water Research Lab Breaks Down Solutions to Plastic Pollution
The Utah Water Research Laboratory is conducting research at every stage of the plastic problem, from generation to degradation, to support a cleaner future.
Read Article