Baylor University Geology Doctoral Candidate Receives Prestigious Award for Groundwater Research

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Media contact: Tonya Lewis, (254) 710-4656

WACO, Texas (April 28, 2015) – Stephanie Wong, a doctoral candidate in the department of geology in Baylor University's College of Arts & Sciences, has received her third Farvolden Award for a presentation on groundwater and stream interactions at the 2015 National Groundwater Association Summit.

"I felt honored when I heard that I won," Wong said. "It humbles me when people recognize what I'm doing and believe I'm doing it well."

The award includes a $1,000 prize and is presented to four students from across the nation each year. Wong, a native of Ottawa, Canada, also received the award in 2010 and 2011.

Wong, whose concentration is in hydrogeology, wrote a paper titled "Insights in Karst Groundwater-Stream Interactions Using Dissolved Natural Radon Concentrations, Central Texas."

"I examined groundwater and stream interactions in Bell County in Central Texas," Wong said. "Our study area, the northern segment of the Edwards Aquifer, is important to study because it represents a local drinking water source as well as a critical habitat for a federally-listed threatened species of salamander."

The Farvolden Award is presented in honor of former National Groundwater Association scientist Robert Farvolden, Ph.D., a pioneer in the development of modern hydrogeology. NGWA's goal is to advocate responsible management and use of groundwater.

Students were judged on the extent that their work contributed to groundwater science, engineering, management or policy.

Wong received her B.S. from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and her M.S. in geology from Baylor University in 2012.

"I think that water is a very important issue as it is a basic need for survival," Wong said. "I'm interested in helping people understand their water resources, gain access to them and manage them well."

by Ashton Brown, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

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