WEST Center engineering students recognized at state and national events
University of Arizona researchers at the AZ Water Research Symposium. Left to right: Michael Hegetschweiler, Ariana Tariqi, Jeb Shingler, Varinia Felix, Mervin Lim, Reema Shinh, and Simran Singh. Photo courtesy of Bianca Miguel de Souza Chaves.
Mervin Lim (left) and Ariana Tariqi (right) at 2025 AZ Water Annual Conference and Exhibition.
In Spring 2025, outstanding students from the University of Arizona's engineering program were recognized at several events, including those hosted by the AZ Water Association and the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP). In March 2025, students from the UA's WateResiliency Program attended the 2025 AZ Water Research Symposium in Phoenix. Varinia Felix won 1st place in Best Poster Awards, while Arianna Tariqi earned a 2nd place standing. Both students are advised by Dr. Kerri Hickenbottom in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering.
Again in April, students working with WEST Center researchers drew a spotlight for their exceptional work. During the AZ Water Association's 98th Annual Conference and Exhibition at the Phoenix Convention Center, Mervin Lim and Arianna Tariqi earned 2nd and 3rd place respectively in the event's Annual Student Poster Competition. Mervin Lim, advised by UA faculty and WEST Center Deputy Director Dr. Andrea Achilli, presented the poster "Universal Pretreatment System to Achieve High Water Recovery from Concentrated Brine." This project is co-authored with UA researchers Tenzin Phakdon, Andrea Achilli, and James Farrell. Arianna Tariqi presented research titled "Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration: A Hybrid Approach for Brackish Water Desalination," co-authored with Anthony Straub, Luis Cruzado, Kerri Hickenbottom, and Vicky Karanikola.
Jeb Shingler at AEESP Conference.
Finally, Jeb Shingler, a PhD student in Environmental Engineering at the University of Arizona and a member of Dr. Hickenbottom's lab group, attended the AEESP conference at Duke University's Durham, North Carolina campus May 20-22. He presented a poster titled "Advancement of Zero-Liquid Discharge with a Hybrid Optical Desalination Technology for Brine Concentrate Management," highlighting an innovative approach to concentrate management. His efforts earned him a Student Category Best Poster Award.
Congratulations to Varinia Felix, Arianna Tariqi, Mervin Lim, and Jeb Shingler!
Story background and photos courtesy of Dr. Bianca Miguel de Souza Chaves.