News

Two long-standing researchers at WEST, Dr. Luisa Ikner and Dr. Bianca Miguel de Souza Chaves, were recently appointed Technical Directors of the Center. They will oversee the critical maintenance, operation, and proper use of commonly shared space and equipment.

The National Collaborative PFAS Project, led by WEST Center’s Dr. Pepper, shared findings in January 2025. The study’s Phase I report details concentrations of PFAS found in soils, water, and biosolids across the country.

Luke Presson, a PhD student working at WEST, received an outstanding graduate award in Environmental Engineering in 2024. He will continue his notable work as a Postdoc in 2025.

In November 2024, members of the UArizona Water Resiliency Program participated in a valuable field trip to two U.S. Army research/testing sites in Mississippi.

In a series of recent publications, researchers at WEST Center evaluate important technologies to improve water reuse efficiency and application.

Representatives of the Arizona Agribusiness & Water Council toured WEST Center in November 2024, hearing about water research contributions in the state and beyond.

WEST and the Japanese corporation Yokogawa are partnering to assess a system to improve advanced water reuse efforts.

Led by Drs. Gerba, Betancourt, Bright, and Boone, a prominent microbiology team at WEST Center investigates pathogen origin, risk, and removal from the environment.

During the summer of 2024, three Arizona high school students worked with UArizona faculty and staff at WEST Center, learning laboratory techniques and conducting research with guidance from mentor experts.

The University of Arizona hosted a successful Interim Progress Report (IPR) meeting of the Water Reuse Consortium in summer 2024. The meeting showcased the WEST Center team’s significant contributions to project collaboration and research advancements.