Important Information
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.
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.

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.

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!

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.
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
- When: July 24, 2026
- What: UWRL Closed
Please plan ahead for building access and any time-sensitive needs.
- When: August 26, 2026, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- What: Student Orientation
New students are required to attend, and all UWRL students are encouraged to attend!
- When: Monday, August 31, 2026
- What: Fall semester classes begin
More information on the UWRL shuttle coming soon!
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
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!

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!
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