UWRL Monthly Bulletin

July 2026

Welcome to the UWRL Bulletin, a quick and easy way to stay up to date on important announcements and events at the lab.

Important Information

Faculty media interview preparation

1. Faculty Media Preparation Materials

Thank you to everyone who attended the faculty media training with University Marketing. Alyssa Regis has gathered the tips and best practices into one document for future use, and a quick link is also available on the Employee Resources page.

Lobby photo reminder

2. Reminder: Call for Lobby Photos

If you have any recent high-resolution photos, preferably from the past year, that could replace the current lobby photos, please send them to alyssa.regis@usu.edu by August 7. Please also note which area the photo represents.

The current research areas are Hydraulics, Water Resources, Environmental, and Education and Engagement. If you have preferences about how your area is represented, please share those by the same date.

Canyon Road construction

3. Canyon Road Updates

Construction along Canyon Road is still ongoing, and traffic restrictions remain in place. Access to the UWRL should continue through First Dam. Canyon Road between 600 East and Crockett Avenue is limited to local traffic, the section between Crockett Avenue and 1420 East is eastbound only, and Canyon Road between 100 North and 600 East is westbound only.

The 600 East and Canyon Road intersection remains open for northbound and southbound traffic on 600 East and westbound traffic on Canyon Road. Please allow extra travel time, as traffic patterns may continue to shift and periodic delays are expected.

Student orientation

4. UWRL Student Orientation

The new student orientation will be held Wednesday, August 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. New students are required to attend, and all UWRL students are encouraged to attend!

9 AM - 10 AM: UWRL Tour & Safety Requirements
10 AM- 11 AM: Student Orientation
11:30 AM - 2 PM: Icebreakers & Lunch at First Dam! 

Laboratory website update

5. New Environmental Quality Laboratory Website

The Environmental Quality Laboratory is opening to the USU community and external clients! Please take a look at the new website and feel free to refer people there as interest comes up.

Faculty search announcement

6. Colorado River Search

The Colorado River position is now open, and we are actively hiring. If you know someone who may be a strong candidate, please encourage them to apply or share the posting with them.

Events

UWRL Need-To-Know

1. Annual Compliance Training

Annual compliance trainings have restarted with the new fiscal year and must be completed by October 31. You can access them at learnblue.usu.edu, and your assigned trainings should populate automatically.

News

Help Us Say Thank You to Lacy Susman

Thank you message

Lacy has accepted a new position, and her last full day with us will be July 21.

We truly appreciate Lacy's contributions during her time here and all the work she has done to support our building and the entire lab community. We wish her all the best as she begins this new chapter!

Welcome Emma Payne!

Emma Payne

We are excited to welcome Emma Payne as a research assistant professor at the UWRL! Emma joined the URWL after completing her PhD in Environmental Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on physical-chemical water treatment technologies and the fate and treatment of emerging contaminants. She is particularly interested in developing innovative treatment approaches to address water stress and scarcity, and has worked on diverse water reuse projects, spanning direct potable reuse in Colorado to water recycling on space-flight missions. Outside of work, Emma enjoys reading, biking, and hiking with her two dogs, Moxie and Auggie.

Stop by and welcome Emma in UWRL 213! 

Do you have recently published research or news?
We'd love to feature it here. Reach out to a member of the UWRL Communications team to get started.
Pine needles and air quality research
Utah State Today | 2026

Pine Needles Predict Air Quality? USU Researcher Says Yes

This story highlights research showing how pine needles can help track air quality and provide new insight into environmental conditions.

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Courtney Flint
UWRL News | 2026

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.

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Honoring Jagath Kaluarachchi
USU Engineering | March 20, 2026

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.

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