Watersheds and Water Quality Research Lab

Congratulations to Jesus Ortiz García for becoming a Hidrologist-in-training and member of the American Institute of Hydrology.

Proud of you, Jesus!

It's time to congratulate the newest member of AIH! Let's welcome Jesus Rafael Ortiz Garcia on becoming a Hydrologist-in-Training (HIT) as he works towards full certification as a Professional Hydrologist (PH)! https://aihydrology.org/membership/

Maroon MEMO: Employee News (Mississippi State University) John J. Ramirez-Avila John J. Ramirez-Avila, Ph.D., Ing., PH, F.EWRI, F.ASCE, associate professor, graduate coordinator, and head of the Watersheds and Water Quality Research Lab in the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Mississippi State University, has been named a fe...

Advances in hydrologic design are driven by research grounded in technical rigor and aligned with practical needs.

Jesus Rafael Ortiz Garcia, M.S. student in our Watersheds and Water Quality Research Lab of the Richard A. Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is contributing to this advancement through his study, which strengthens national efforts to refine Curve Number calibration, initial abstraction ratio conversion, and precision mapping, supporting a more consistent and reliable CONUS‑scale framework for watershed analysis.

Jesus' impact has been recognized at Mississippi State University, where he earned second place in the oral presentation of his work titled “Precision vs. Conservatism in Initial Abstraction Ratio: Implications for Hydrologic Design,” at the 2026 Graduate Research Symposium, a distinction that highlights both the technical relevance of his research and the clarity with which he communicates its value.

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, he brings the same professionalism, discipline, and commitment to the classroom that define his research.

A well‑deserved recognition of meaningful contributions to hydrologic science.

Congratulations, Jesus!

Our hope is to develop best practices that farmers and landowners can use to achieve improved water quality and prevent algal blooms in streams and rivers. You can have sustainable agricultural production and good water quality. Best management practices are how we try to obtain both.
Dr. Tim Schauwecker.

Dr. Tim Schauwecker from the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Design, Dr. Todd Mlsna from the Department of Chemistry, and Dr. John Ramirez-Avila from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering lead a collaborative research project focused on improving water quality in the Red Bud–Catalpa Creek watershed. At the MAFES Bearden Dairy Research Center, the team tested the use of engineered biochar and electric arc furnace slag to reduce phosphorus runoff, stabilize streambanks, and prevent harmful algal blooms—combining innovative science with sustainable agricultural practices. 🌾 Photo by David Ammon. Pictured are: Dr. Tim Schauwecker, Casey Johnson, John Ramirez-Avila, Lorena Chavarro-Chaux, and Cece Marascalco.

🔗 Read more about the project here: https://www.mafes.msstate.edu/discovers/article.php?id=247

Students in Hydrology Related Programs!!

The American Institute of Hydrology (AIH) is accepting applications for the 2025–2026 Hydrology Education and Research Mentorship (AIH HEARS) Program.

This program supports senior undergraduate and graduate students working on hydrology-related research or outreach. Each student will work with a local mentor, ideally from their home institution, and receive additional guidance from an AIH mentor.

The mentorship lasts up to one year and concludes with a written summary of the project (preferably a peer-reviewed publication) and an oral presentation in an AIH webinar.

Students who are selected will receive a free one-year membership in AIH. Mentors will be able to attend AIH’s monthly webinars at no cost during the program.

Application Deadline: October 31

AEIC Unimagdalena American Institute of Hydrology Universidad Nacional de Colombia Facultad de Ingeniería - Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Sede Bogotá

Hydrology Education and Research Mentorship for Students (AIH HEARS) Program The American Institute of Hydrology’s Hydrology Education and Research Mentorship for Students (HEARS) Program is an educational and mentoring initiative designed for senior undergraduate and…

| Científicos del IIAP impulsan innovador proyecto para recuperar cuerpos de agua afectados por la minería ilegal

- Con financiamiento de Concytec–ProCiencia, el proyecto busca convertir la devastación ambiental provocada por la minería ilegal en oportunidades de recuperación y vida.

La ciencia que se hace en la Amazonía volvió a dar un paso adelante. Un equipo de investigadores del Instituto de Investigaciones de la Amazonía Peruana (IIAP), entidad adscrita al Ministerio del Ambiente, obtuvo financiamiento en el concurso “Proyectos de Investigación Aplicada 2025-02”, organizado por Concytec y ProCiencia. El proyecto ganador fue seleccionado entre 226 postulaciones de universidades e institutos de todo el país, en la modalidad multidisciplinaria.

El proyecto, titulado “Bioprospección microbiana para la recuperación de servicios ecosistémicos y la reactivación económica en cuerpos de agua degradados por la minería aurífera en la Amazonía peruana”, busca transformar la tragedia ambiental causada por la minería ilegal en oportunidades para la vida. ¿Cómo? A través del poder invisible pero inmenso de los microorganismos amazónicos, capaces de ayudar a restaurar cuerpos de agua y lagos contaminados y devolverles la esperanza a las comunidades ribereñas.

La propuesta está liderada por Pedro Nascimento Herbay y Adenka Muñoz Ushñahua, dos jóvenes amazónicos integrantes del IIAP Madre de Dios, con el respaldo de un equipo multidisciplinario de Perú, Estados Unidos y México que integra conocimiento local y colaboración internacional.

En el proyecto también participan Ronald Corvera Gomringer, Ana María Cortijo Bellido, Jose Flores Bustos y Yashira Vera Huamán (IIAP), Germán Heber Correa (UNAMAD), Jonh Jairo Ramírez Ávila (Mississippi State University, EE.UU.) y Maribel Hernández Rosales (CINVESTAV, México). Juntos forman un equipo comprometido con la ciencia que no se queda en los laboratorios, sino que actúa sobre los problemas reales.

De las 226 propuestas evaluadas, solo 44 fueron seleccionadas, lo que hace aún más meritorio este reconocimiento. La iniciativa no solo destaca por su rigor técnico, sino por su profundo sentido de pertenencia y servicio hacia la Amazonía.

El proyecto es el resultado de una alianza entre el IIAP, la Universidad Nacional Amazónica de Madre de Dios (UNAMAD), la Universidad Estatal de Mississippi y el Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, aliados estratégicos que vienen trabajando juntos desde hace varios años en el departamento.

Fuente: IIAP - Instituto De Investigaciones De La Amazonía Peruana

Congratulations to Coleman Vaughan on successfully passing his comprehensive exams and fulfilling the graduation requirements for his Master's degree in Civil Engineering.

Civil and Environmental Engineering

🌊🎉 Success at the ASCE Symposium Water Resources Competition! 🎉🌊

We’re thrilled to share that the Water Resources Competition at the ASCE Symposium at Mississippi State University was a huge hit! Students had a blast testing their knowledge of fundamental hydrology and pipe hydraulics concepts. 💧

Seven amazing teams from universities from Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana participated in a hands-on laboratory session, collecting data and applying their skills to perform hydrologic and hydraulic analysis on real-world simulated scenarios. 🔬💡

The energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and it was incredible to see everyone come together to solve challenges, collaborate, and push their knowledge to the next level.

A huge shoutout to all the participants for their hard work and dedication! 🙌👏

Thanks to Sandra Ortega Achury, Jesus Ortiz Garcia, Diego Galindo, and John Ramirez Avila, who coordinated and judged the competition.

Our Watersheds and Water Quality Research Lab is on Instagram!

https://www.instagram.com/msuwatersheds/

Another semester has come to an end and the final project presentations by the Sedimentation and Open Channel Hydraulics Engineers were once again a success.

John Ramirez Avila

John Ramirez Avila received the 2024 SHPE Outstanding Chapter Advisor Award during the Excellence in STEM Luncheon at the 2024 SHPE National Convention. This recognition is reserved for an official SHPE advisor among the 280 SHPE Chapters across the US, who has demonstrated advocacy for STEM programs, a proven record of commitment and support to SHPE’s mission and vision, and diligent support for the success and development of the advised chapter. SHPE is the nation's largest association dedicated to fostering Hispanic leadership in the STEM field, with more than 20,000 members nationwide.

This excerpt is from the award presentation delivered by Barry Cordero, who served as the National SHPE President from 2013 to 2016.

"Dr. John J. Ramirez Avila is an Agricultural Engineer from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia with a Master's in Soils from the Universidad de Puerto Rico Recinto de Mayaguez, and a PhD in Water Resources Engineering from Mississippi State University. He is an Associate Professor in the Rula School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Mississippi State University with over 25 years of experience in academia, research, and service across Colombia, Puerto Rico and the US. His work focuses on watershed management and pollution reduction in agricultural and urban systems. He has been a licensed Engineer in Colombia since 2000 and became a Professional Hydrologist in 2020.

Dr. Ramirez Avila has mentored over 100 students and holds leadership roles in organizations like SHPE, SWCS, EWB and the Watersheds and Water Quality Research Lab. He has led and developed multiple efforts and outreach programs strengthened in SHPE relationships with other student organizations at MSU. His Teaching Water initiative aimed to elementary students in Mississippi and College students in Peru and Colombia, promotes conservation and watershed management.

Dr. Ramirez's leadership inspire students to apply the engineering skills to real world challenges."

Bagley College of Engineering
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