Dr. Pensini and her team of UofG researchers, along with scientists from the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) are developing low-energy strategies to purify polluted water.
Check out the article for more information!
Julie Zettl is this year’s recipient of the Thomas Krug Memorial Scholarship – congratulations!
Julie is a new PhD student with Dr. Beth Parker at the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute. Dr. Parker’s high impact research over the last 35+ years has aided in building a framework for the scientific, private and publics sectors to inform their decision-making regarding groundwater contamination assessment, in-situ remediation of groundwater systems, and groundwater management. Julie is a welcome addition to the team, and we are excited to have her aboard and to celebrate her scholarship.
The Thomas Krug Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Thomas Krug, who showed immense commitment to environmental stewardship through his 30-year career at Geosyntec applying novel approaches to environmental remediation. Geosyntec is multi-national civil and environmental engineering consulting firm serving clients from more than 80 offices in North America, Europe, and Australia. Thomas loved northern Canada and he inspired many of his friends and family to explore these beautiful lands. He passed away two years ago, survived by his loving wife Janet and his three adult children. Thomas’ family and the employees at Geosyntec were thrilled to award this scholarship again this year.
Julie’s research project reflects Thomas’ commitment to environmental stewardship in northern Canada. She will take part in a study of groundwater quality in the Liard Basin near the community of Fort Liard. Dr. Parker is the Principal Investigator of this multi-disciplinary, cross-institutional project. The project has many collaborators including Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute, Acho Dene Koe First Nation, the Hamlet of Fort Liard, Beaver Enterprises, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, with the aim of completing a baseline groundwater quality investigation in the Liard Basin.
A network of monitoring wells will be installed as part of the research project and later will be operated by the GNWT. The research will enable the development of a groundwater monitoring network that will support the NWT water stewardship strategy to ensure water remains clean, abundant and productive. This scholarship and research program are examples of the synergies the Morwick G360 Institute and Geosyntec have had here in Canada and in the USA over the years. It is suitable that the project involves water protection in Canada’s North, as this was a true passion of the late Thomas Krug.
On June 14th, the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) announced its newly elected Fellows for 2021. Among them is Morwick G360’s founder and director, Dr. Beth Parker.
Founded in 1987, the CAE is an institution that enables skilled engineers to provide strategic advice for the benefit of Canada and Canadians. Each year, the CAE elects new Fellows through a vote of their peers. These Fellows are individuals who have made outstanding contributions to engineering in Canada and worldwide.
The CAE recognizes Dr. Parker for her achievements and service in the field of groundwater protection and contamination treatment:
“Dr. Parker is a global leader in fractured porous geologic media contamination, helping to protect water supplies in Guelph and many other communities. She pioneered new fractured bedrock characterisation methods (as of April 2021: 4 patents and more than 165 refereed papers, among other contributions), including novel downhole borehole devices and procedures for investigating contamination in bedrock aquifers. These methodologies have been used at complex contamination sites worldwide. Her paradigm-shifting contributions have changed how engineers can and should study contaminated sites to inform their remediation decisions. Her new technologies enable effective monitoring of bedrock aquifers.”
You can read the CAE’s full press release and learn about some of the other new Fellows here. Congratulations to Dr. Parker and the rest of the CAE’s new cohort of Fellows!
The G³⁶⁰ Institute for Groundwater Research is now the Morwick G³⁶⁰ Groundwater Research Institute! If you missed the live announcement, a recording is available below. We’re excited about what this means for the future of the Institute and for global groundwater research. Watch to learn more, or visit https://www.uoguelph.ca/ceps/water-protection.
Since 2007, the G360 Institute for Groundwater Research has been a leader in research and innovation for global groundwater protection, contaminant removal, and water supply management. Today, we are excited to announce the next big step in realizing the Institute’s mission.
A generous $10 million gift from Edward (Ted) Morwick will enable significant capital improvements to the Bedrock Aquifer Field Facility – to be renamed the Morwick Groundwater Research Centre – making it a state-of-the-art facility for teaching and research. The gift also creates a new endowed Chair in Sustainable Groundwater Research at the University of Guelph. Finally, it will support the training of the next generation of water and climate change researchers through student research assistantships. Together, these initiatives will lay the groundwork for a bright future in global water research.
In recognition of this transformative donation, the G360 Institute for Groundwater Research will be renamed the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute. To read the full press release and learn more, visit https://www.uoguelph.ca/ceps/water-protection
