What\u2019s one of the most rewarding parts about working in water science? You can make a difference in a multitude of ways.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the reasons I wanted to go into science is that I wanted to have a positive impact on the world,\u201d said Katie Schulz, who earned her master\u2019s degree from 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s School of Freshwater Sciences in May 2021. \u201cThere are so many paths in the water industry. Some people are raising fish, some are looking at nanoparticles or nutrient food chains.\u201d<\/p>\n
Some, like Schulz, are ensuring people have safe drinking water. She was hired by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources in September as an environmental program associate in the Drinking Water and Groundwater Program.<\/p>\n
The hands-on research experience that Schulz gained through Freshwater\u2019s master\u2019s degree program and her post-graduation internship with the City of Racine made her an ideal candidate for the job at the DNR.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatie was an incredible candidate who quickly stood out in a deep and highly competitive candidate pool. Her experience at the 51ÁÔÆæ School of Freshwater Science gave her the perfect platform to develop her skills as a scientist, researcher, writer and communicator,\u201d said Jesse Jensen, southeast region field supervisor at the DNR.<\/p>\n
Although Schulz majored in biology at New York University in New York City, she worked at a startup media company during college and then landed a job at a marketing agency. When she realized a career in science was a better fit, she returned to her Milwaukee roots.<\/p>\n
\u201cWater was the perfect branch of science for me because I\u2019d grown up around water. I\u2019ve always lived on a coast,\u201d she said. \u201cThe School of Freshwater Sciences was the only school I applied to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her thesis work in Professor Rebecca Klaper\u2019s lab revolved around contaminants, specifically per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are considered \u201cforever chemicals\u201d because they don\u2019t break down and they can move through soil and contaminate water sources. People who live near contamination sites often suffer from adverse health effects.<\/p>\n
Schulz put together reports that looked at industrial uses for PFAS, potential contamination hotspots and the types of technologies available for removal. She also studied biosolids, which are products of the wastewater treatment process that when treated properly can improve the health of agriculture land and reclamation sites.<\/p>\n
However, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 500 pollutants have been found to occur in biosolids, including PFAS. Schulz worked with wastewater treatment companies to set up lab experiments to address the issue of PFAS in biosolids.<\/p>\n
Her research combined with coursework in contaminants and regulatory procedures have proved beneficial to her job. She receives samples from public water systems and provides guidance for businesses whose samples test positive for bacteria.<\/p>\n
\u201cKatie\u2019s skills have translated exceptionally well to her work at the Wisconsin DNR,\u201d Jensen said. \u201cI cannot wait to see what she will be able to accomplish for the State of Wisconsin in the years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n
Securing a regulatory science job that focuses on drinking water allowed Schulz to fulfill her desire to use science to improve public health. There are many sites to regulate \u2014 Wisconsin has the most public water supplies of any state in the country \u2014 but working in the water field is rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody needs water. You don\u2019t ever forget that it\u2019s important,\u201d Schulz says. \u201cIt\u2019s a really worthwhile career.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
For recent 51ÁÔÆæ grad Katie Schulz, working in water science means she has the ability to make a positive impact on the world. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":40008,"featured_media":103014,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"categories":[174],"tags":[],"section":[139,143],"display_categories":[115,116],"related-coverage":[264],"uwmnews-feed":[167,153,152],"class_list":["post-103013","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","section-science-technology","section-water-environment","display_categories-top-story-secondary","display_categories-top-story-section","related-coverage-water","uwmnews-feed-alumni-association","uwmnews-feed-graduate","uwmnews-feed-freshwater-sciences"],"yoast_head":"\n