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IGA GRANTS

IGA STUDENT GRANTS

The IGA offers small grants to partially support student research on groundwater or related topics. Applications are evaluated on the basis of scientific merit, capability of the applicant, and the level of requested funding as it relates to the proposed work.  These grants are open to any graduate or undergraduate student registered at an accredited Illinois college or university.  A condition of the grant is that grant recipients present the findings of their research at an IGA meeting. 

IGA MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL GRANTS

The IGA offers small grants to partially support middle and high school student research into groundwater-related projects. Awards will be made on the basis of applications, which are competitively evaluated. Applications will be evaluated for the merit of the proposed project or work, the completeness of the proposal, the capability of the student investigator and teaching leader, and the reasonableness of the requested funding relative to the proposed work. The number and size of the awards will be at the discretion of the IGA Executive Committee.  A condition of the grant is that grant recipients present the findings of their research at an IGA meeting. 


NOTE: Applications must be postmarked by the 2nd Friday of November and the 4th Friday in April for consideration during the fall and spring cycles, respectively. For more information, see the University application or the Middle and High School application, or contact the IGA Grants Coordinator, Melissa Lenczewski .

Year Awardee Title Amount
2020
fall

Xian Lim, B.S. student, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Mercury and Selenium Contaminations in a Drainage from a Coal Mining Site in Southern Illinois  

$1,000 (returned $920) for lab  analyses and field sampling costs
2020
spring

Alyssa Graveline, M.S. student, Northern Illinois University

Transport of Polystyrene and Polyethylene Fine Micro & Nano-Plastic Granules in Henry & Peoria Formation at Esmond, IL Well Field  

$650 for lab  analyses and field sampling costs
2020
spring

Abigail Heath, M.S. student, Illinois State University

Natural Nitrate Removal in Shallow Subsurface Stream Flows

$750 for lab  analyses and field sampling costs
2019
spring

Patience Bosompemaa, M.S. student, Illinois State University

Nitrate Transport in the Unsaturated Zone

$1,000 for lab  analyses and field sampling costs
2018
fall

Washington Community Science Club, Team of High School Students

General Groundwater Research

$216 for lab  teaching resources
2018
fall

Joseph M. Krienert, Ph.D. student, Southern Illinois University Carbondale

The Fate of Nitrogen in Ground and Surface Waters of Floodplain Wetlands - A Middle Mississippi River Case Study

$745 ($200 returned) for lab  analyses and field sampling costs
2018
spring

Andrew Oberhelman, M.S. student, Illinois State University

Chloride dynamics in an urban-agricultural stream $1,000 for field sampling and lab  analyses costs
2017
spring

Danielle Goetter , B.S. student, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

Correlation of PPCPs in groundwater within surface water and wastewater in the Mississippi River Valley and Kaskaskia watershed systems

$500 for lab  analyses and field sampling costs
2016
fall

Joe Miller, M.S. student, Illinois State University

Diurnal and seasonal variation in groundwater nitrate concentration in a riparian buffer zone

$1,000 for lab  analyses and field sampling costs
2016 spring
Joseph M. Krienert, M.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Reevaluating Contaminant Transport from a Coal Mine into the Henry Aquifer: Gallatin County, IL $872 for field travel and lab analysis sampling costs
Sonny Devita, M.S., Northern Illinois University Geophysical Characterization of a Slag-Filled Marsh in Chicago, IL $982 for vairous research costs

Mahawa-Essa Mabossanu Akara, M.S., Illinois State University Temporal and Spatial Variation of the Water Table in Response to Tile Diversion in a Riparian Buffer $320 for various research costs
Lucas P. Chabela, , M.S., Illinois State University

Using a 3-D Model to Understand the Relationship between Stage, Flood Duration, and Bank Storage between a Glacial Outwash and Meandering Stream in Central IL

$700 for various research costs
Nick Lamkey, B.S., Southern Illinois University Carbondale Saline Valley Conservancy District Well Relocation   $600 for field travel and software licencing

Margaret Murray, B.S., Western Illinois University 

A Remote Sensing Study of the Variations in Ground Water Storage of the Illinois River Watershed over the Past Decade

$1,000 for various research costs
2015
fall

Lindsey Weinholtz, B.S. student, Southern Illinois University

Degradation of perfluorooctanic acid (PFOA) in Illinois groundwater by metallic nanoparticles $958 for lab  analyses and field sampling costs
2015 spring

Tamru Girma Taye, MS student, Illinois State University

The effectiveness of a herbaceous riparian zone in removing nitrate from a redirected distribution tile $950 for field supplies, chemical  analyses & travel to field site
Tia Willens, Ms Student, Northern Illinois University,

Applying IDEXX SNAP kits to testing for antibiotic residues in groundwater

$950 for chemical  analysis kits & shipping

Zachary Kisfalusi, MS Student, Illinois State University The effects of tile drain input on a gaining stream: Using a statistical analysis approach vs a 2D thermal model $500 field supplies and travel to field site
2014
Fall

Alicia O'Hare, MS student, Illinois State University

Determining the effect of physical characteristics of storm sewer sheds on water quality $750 for chemical analyses

Katelyn A. Kane, MS student, Northern Illinois University

Nachusa Grasslands bison rehabilitation project effects to groundwater system due to the reintroduction of bison. $750 for field supplies, chemical  analyses & travel to field site
2014
spring

Magdalena Gorczynska, MS student, Southern Illinois University

A post audit on a brine contaminated shallow aquifer applying geochemical analysis, resistivity measurements, and numerical modeling in southern Bond County, IL $500 for field and lab supplies

Kathryn A. Quesnell, MS student, Northern Illinois University

Tracing creosote groundwater contamination through slag waste in a hyper-alkaline environmental, Chicago, IL $500 for DNA isolation kit
2013
spring
Alissa James , MS student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal
A microcosm study into fluctuations of denitrification rates within the hyporheic zone $500
2012
spring
Clinton R. Bailey, M.S. student, Northern Illinois University, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences,
DeKalb
Determining the source water of the Nachusa Grasslands' sand boil flow network via geochemical and stable isotope techniques $500 for field and lab supplies
     
2011
fall
Laura Hanna, M.S. student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal
Quantifying Hormone Removal from Groundwater Seepage Out of a Constructed Wetland Receiving Wastewater Effluent. $500 for field and lab supplies

Ryan Cox, M.S. student, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

A Model of Groundwater Contaminant Transport in the Henry Formation Alluvial Aquifer, Gallatin County, Illinois. $500 for field supplies
2010
fall
Randi Liescheidt, M.S. student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal
Using O and H Isotopes to Trace Sources of Groundwater in Constructed Wetlands. $500 for field supplies

Derek Hartmann, M.S. student, Bradley University, Peoria

Anoxic Rotating Biological Contactors for Achievement of Denitrification. $500 for field and lab supplies
2009
fall
Jessica Ackerman, MS student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal
Quantifying nutrient removal from groundwater seepage out of a constructed wetlands receiving wastewater effluent. $500 for field supplies
Karel Waska, Ph.D. student, NIU, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, DeKalb Remediation of heavy metals polluted soils in extremely alkaline environment (pH >12) at Lake Calumet wetlands. $500 for remediation column supplies
2009
spring
Hridaya Bastola, MS student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal
Identification of preferential pathways for hyporheic flow using bromide tracing as a parallel study on the effects of seasonal temperature variation on the temperature profile of the streambed. $500 for analytical costs
Benjamin Maas, MS student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal
Short term investigation of spatial and temporal changes in water quality of the Driftless Area in Northwest Illinois. $500 for analytical costs
2008
spring
Carol Glennon, MS student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal
Evaluating the role of sinuosity in the removal of nitrate from Little Kickapoo Creek $500 for analytical costs
Andrew Greenhagen, MS student, NIU, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, DeKalb
Fate and transport of pharmaceuticals in soil and groundwater $500 for constructing laboratory columns
2007
fall
Joyce Harris, MS student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal
Recovery of hyporheic function in modified agricultural streams over time, Headwaters of the Mackinaw River, Illinois, USA $500
2007 spring
Kathleen Giambeluca, BS student
Augustana College
Assessment of prevalence of heavy metal concentration at Giant Goose Conservation Education Workshop, Fort Atkinson, IL $500 for analytical costs
John E. Keller, PhD student, SIU, Department of Geology, Carbondale Investigation of the theoretical and practical applications of the direct push permeameter (DPP) methodology on the determination of hydraulic conductivity

$500 for software and field travel

Samantha Lax, MS student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal Creating a model to predict stream chloride concentrations resulting from change in land use $500 for analytical costs
Lisa Rauh, BS student, NIU, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, DeKalb A hydrogeologic site investigation of the former Monarch Foundary, Plano, IL $500 for field supplies & analytical costs
Dominic Strezo, MS student, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal The role of beaver dams on hyporheic processes and the quantification of nitrogen across the associated looping flowpaths $500 for analytical costs
2006
Anirban Basu, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal Quantifying nitrogen cycling between groundwater and surface water using numerical modeling and mass flux calculations $500
Kristine Karuhn, NIU, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, DeKalb Impacts of high-density septic systems on surface and groundwater quality and quantity $500
2005
Samuel Gillet, NIU, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, DeKalb Field-based estimation and characterization of shallow aquifer recharge in DeKalb County: A pre-urbanization baseline study $450
Katrina Hall, SIU, Department of Geology, Carbondale Surfactant enhanced remediation of a LNAPL spill $500
2004
Kathleen Bryant, NIU, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, DeKalb Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Halogenated Compounds on the Chemistry and Matrix Structure of Clays in Northern Illinois $295
Amy Schwarz, NIU, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, DeKalb Site Characterization of Two Southeast Rockford, Illinois Sites Contaminated with Chlorinated Solvents and Heavy Metals $400
Cole Bertsch, NEIU, Department of Earth Science, Chicago Comparison of Chemical and Hydrogeologic Properties of Groundwater Extracted from Hollow-Stem Auger and Direct Push Monitoring Wells $400
2003
Becky A. Ciske, NEIU, Department of Earth Science, Chicago A Study of the Effects of Precipitation on Methane Production and its Relationship with the Chemical Composition of Leachate at a Landfill Site $300
Diane M. Lamb, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal A Study of Nitrate Transport in the Vadose Zone in a Central Illinois Agricultural Area $300
Steven Kroll, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Influence of Oxygenates on the Fate and Transport of BTEX Compounds in Fine Grained Soils $300
2002
Rosa Leal-Bautista, NIU, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences Sorption of MTBE on Clay-Rich Deposits in Northern Illinois $300
2001
No grants awarded    
2000
Allen Oertel, SIU, Department of Civil Engineering, Carbondale Evaluation of Subsurface Dentrification Potential at a Biosolids Disposal Site $200
1999
Craig Perciante, Wheaton College, Department of Geology, Wheaton Hydrogeologic Characterization of the West Branch Fen of DuPage County $200
1998
No grants awarded    
1997  
Matthew A. Barner, Wheaton College, Department of Geology, Wheaton A Wellhead Protection Study for the Fisherman’s Inn Restaurant near Elburn, Illinois $150
Leo M. Kurylo, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Effects of Fluid Chemistry on Calcite Overgrowth Morphology $100
John J. Noyes, NEIU, Department of Earth Science, Chicago Electrokinetically Enhanced DNAPL Removal:  Implications for Cleanup of Contaminated Soils $200
1996 
Kurt Kraske, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Movement and Evolution of Nitrogen Compounds in the Prairie Aquigroup and Alexandrian - Maquoketa Aquifer in Campton Township, Kane County, Illinois $50
Yanzhong Liang, U of I, Department of Geological Sciences, Chicago Speciation and Complexation of Lead in Contaminated Surfaces and Ground Waters $200
1995  
Rebecca Reid, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Hydrogeological Characterization of Ground Water at a Wetland in Van Pattern Woods $300
Reynald De Castro, ISU, Department of Geography-Geology, Normal Groundwater Chemistry Across a Buried Anticline in Douglas County, Illinois $200
1994  
Jinnan Ahou, U of I, Department of Civil Engineering, Chicago Effect of Slug Hydrodynamic Efficiency on the Accuracy of Field Hydraulic Conductivity Tests in Highly Permeable Formations $275
Jacqueline N. Morrison, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Influence of Buried Bedrock Valleys in North-Central Illinois on Recharge and Groundwater Flow in the Prairie, Upper Bedrock and Midwest Bedrock Aquigroups $350
Richard Poland, NEIU, Department of Earth Science, Chicago Field Comparison of Three Methods of Measuring K in the Vadose Zone $200
1993 
Daina Hardisty, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Geochemical Characterization of Groundwater in Glacial Drift Aquifers in Northern Lake County, Illinois $300
Timothy A. McDonald, SIU, Department of Geology, Carbondale Guelph Permeameter Variability and Development of an Inexpensive Automated, Modified Guelph Permeameter $300
1992
Sandra L. Kubilus, NEIU, Department of Earth Science, Chicago Hydrology of Lake Michigan Tributary, Lake County, Illinois $250
1991
Chittaranjan Ray , U of I, Department of Civil Engineering, Urbana
Solute Transport in a Dual Porosity System Resulting from Plant Roots, Root Channels, and Other Macropores $210
1990 
Edward Mehnert, U of I, , Department of Civil Engineering, Urbana Aquifer Characterization Using Earth Tide Response in Wells $200
Georgia G. Brown, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Geology of an Illinois Riverine Wetland Complex $230
1989 
Martin C. Keeley, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Mallard North Landfill, Fractured Clay Cover Study $200
Elaine C. Schwartz, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb The Ground Water Flow Regime and the Extent of Agricultural Contamination in DeKalb County, Illinois $200
1988 
Paula Sanford, U of I, Department of Geology, Chicago Groundwater Movement near a Small Pond $230
Erik D. Spande, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Impacts of Subsurface Coal Mining on Local and Regional Groundwater Flow in the Illinois Basin $200 (declined after receiving research grant)
1987  
Pamela A. Aubuchon, SIU, Department of Geology, Carbondale A Geophysical and Hydrogeologic Investigation of an Oil-Field Brine Plume located in Western Saline County, Illinois $200
Bethany C. Price, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Infiltration and Leachate Production at a Landfill in Northeastern Illinois $210
David A Schumacher, NIU, Department of Geology, DeKalb Groundwater Flow through the Galena and Platteville Groups in DeKalb and Kane Counties, Illinois $295

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