Description:

This Wednesday we are excited to welcome Garrett Dildine (PhD Candidate, Environmental Engineering) and Edric Choi (PhD Candidate, Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences) to share game-changing synthetic biology research on lead detection in drinking water.

📅 Wednesday, January 14, 2026
⏰ 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
📍 2205 Tech Drive, First Floor, Room 1-160
🍽️ Lunch provided

Garrett and Edric have been part of a multidisciplinary team that has developed an accurate, low-cost test strip that detects lead at 5 parts per billion—empowering non-experts to assess their tap water with a quick, at-home test and a simple photo. Their research uncovered that Chicago may be violating national drinking water standards, with lead levels significantly higher than Evanston's despite sharing the same Lake Michigan source. The difference? Infrastructure and treatment practices.

This presentation will illuminate how lead persists in our water systems and demonstrate how accessible technology empowers individuals to take matters into their own hands when it comes to drinking water safety. 

This is more than research—it's a practical tool for water safety that could protect communities everywhere. Everyone is welcome. See you there!

This is a great chance to learn about innovative research in wastewater and connect with peers across disciplines. We encourage you to forward this to your peers and students. Lunch will be provided.

Please fill out this interest form or Email us at: water@northwestern.edu

Description:

Please join us for our next Wildcats in Water student seminar on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 11:30 AM–12:30 PM CT.

Wildcats in Water is a monthly student seminar series where students share innovative water research through engaging flash talks, followed by informal networking with snacks and drinks. These gatherings are designed to create meaningful connections across our water community while showcasing exciting student work across disciplines. Open to all students, faculty, and staff.

This month’s theme: Local Lakes Research: Past & Present
Flash talks from two student researchers working across timescales, from high-frequency coastal hazards in Lake Michigan to paleoclimate reconstruction in the Midwest and New England.

📅 When
Wednesday, February 11, 2026

11:30 AM–12:30 PM CT

📍 Where
O.T. Hogan Biological Sciences Building, Room 1-160

2205 Tech Drive, Evanston (First Floor)

🍽️ Lunch
Free lunch will be provided.

Featured Speakers

Alexa Yeo

PhD candidate (Hydrology), Colorado School of Mines

Alexa will present on high-frequency water level fluctuations (HFWLF) in Lake Michigan, including meteotsunamis and seiches that can pose hazards to coastal communities. The talk will highlight recent observations from Green Bay, wave events from summer 2025, and how 3D hydrodynamic–wave modeling can improve detection and forecasting of coastal hazards in the Great Lakes.

Aidan Burdick

PhD candidate, Earth Science (DEEPS)

Aidan will share research using paleolimnological tools to reconstruct climate during the last glacial–interglacial transition. By analyzing chironomid assemblages, oxygen isotopes, and lacustrine carbonates, this work investigates linkages between temperature and hydroclimate in Northern Illinois and New England, shedding light on abrupt climate change and human–climate interactions at the end of the last glacial period.

This is a great chance to learn about innovative lakes research and connect with peers across disciplines. Please feel free to forward this invitation to students and colleagues who may be interested.

Please fill out the interest form, or email us at water@northwestern.edu.

Description:

Wildcats in Water Student Seminar Series — Each month, students share their innovative water research in engaging flash talks, followed by valuable networking opportunities with snacks and drinks. These gatherings are designed to create meaningful connections within our water community while showcasing the exciting work students are doing across disciplines. Open to all students and faculty, Wildcats in Water offers a perfect blend of peer learning and social interaction in a welcoming environment.

🕦 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 2205 Tech Drive, First Floor, Room 1-160

This is a great chance to learn about innovative research in wastewater and connect with peers across disciplines. We encourage you to forward this to your peers and students. Lunch will be provided.

Please fill out this interest form or Email us at: water@northwestern.edu

Description:

Wildcats in Water Student Seminar Series — Each month, students share their innovative water research in engaging flash talks, followed by valuable networking opportunities with snacks and drinks. These gatherings are designed to create meaningful connections within our water community while showcasing the exciting work students are doing across disciplines. Open to all students and faculty, Wildcats in Water offers a perfect blend of peer learning and social interaction in a welcoming environment.

🕦 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 2205 Tech Drive, First Floor, Room 1-160

This is a great chance to learn about innovative research in wastewater and connect with peers across disciplines. We encourage you to forward this to your peers and students. Lunch will be provided.

Please fill out this interest form or Email us at: water@northwestern.edu

Description:

Wildcats in Water Student Seminar Series — Each month, students share their innovative water research in engaging flash talks, followed by valuable networking opportunities with snacks and drinks. These gatherings are designed to create meaningful connections within our water community while showcasing the exciting work students are doing across disciplines. Open to all students and faculty, Wildcats in Water offers a perfect blend of peer learning and social interaction in a welcoming environment.

🕦 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM

📍 2205 Tech Drive, First Floor, Room 1-160

This is a great chance to learn about innovative research in wastewater and connect with peers across disciplines. We encourage you to forward this to your peers and students. Lunch will be provided.

Please fill out this interest form or Email us at: water@northwestern.edu