The Rose Water Fellowship has been awarded to Kateri Salk, Michigan State University doctoral student for the 2015 spring semester.
The award, endowed by Joan Rose, Homer Nowlin Chair in water research at MSU, is awarded to graduate level scientists seeking to advance the field of water science. Salk, who works under MSU professor Nathanial Ostrom in the department of zoology, specializes in environmental science and policy research.
“The broader goal of the fellowship, rather than just funding a specific project, helped me to really think about my vision for a career in water science,” said Salk. “I believe research will help to address future water problems both locally and around the world.”
Salk plans to use the award to fund her current research project on algal blooms in Lake Erie. Last fall, bacteria living within these blooms turned toxic, causing water restrictions in the Toledo, Ohio area around the lake. Changes in the cycling of bacteria within the water and those effects will be her focus.
“Humans have done a lot to change our water systems, directly and indirectly,” she said. “I’m really interested in these changes at the microscopic level, and the connections we can help draw between ecology, microbiology and health policy.”
Rose established the fellowship fund to support graduate students on campus who are doing research in water. A part of the gift came from the Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Water Prize, which was presented to Rose in 2001 for significant contributions to water science and technology, from the National Water Research Institute.
“I am so pleased to see Kateri focusing on water research that impacts environmental science, public health safety and ecology,” said Rose. “She has an exciting and promising future in water science.”