Current Lab Members

Dr. Tiffany L. Messer (PI)

Messer Field

Dr. Messer joined the Biological Systems Engineering Department  and School of Natural Resources in January 2017. She holds degrees in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (University of Kentucky, B.S., 2008) and Biological and Agricultural Engineering (North Carolina State University, M.S. 2010, PhD, 2015). Messer completed a postdoctoral appointment in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University (2015-2016). Her research interests reside at the intersection of engineering, ecology, and agriculture with an emphasis on environmental biogeochemistry and water resources in agricultural landscapes.

Her research focuses on:

1. Fate and transport of contaminants of emerging concern and nutrients in surface waters

2. Innovative sensor technologies for water quality monitoring

3. Ecosystem based Best Management Practices (i.e., wetland and rivers adjacent to agroecosystems)

She currently teaches Biological Systems Engineering Seminar 1 (Fall Semesters, BSEN/AGEN 889), Introduction to Water Science (Fall 2017, NRES 281, Water Chemistry Section), and Introduction to Wetlands (Fall 2018, NRES 468/868). Additionally, she is an active member of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and the American Ecological Engineering Society (AEES).

Honors and Awards

USDA AFRI NIFA Postdoctoral Fellowship (2016)

EPA STAR Fellowship (2012-2015)

North Carolina State University Certificate in Teaching (2014)

Josephus F. Borsuah (Ph.D. in School of Natural Resource Sciences)

Josephus Foday Borsuah is a PhD student in Hydrology in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He obtained is master’s degree at Oklahoma State University in Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in Water Quality and Watershed Management. Josephus was born and raised in Sierra Leone, West Africa, where he acquired his Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Chemistry. Upon completion of his master’s degree, he accepted a job offer from a company in Oklahoma, where he served as their Environmental Scientist and Water Quality Specialist for approximately three years. Dr. Tiffany Messer is his academic advisor, and his specific doctoral research focuses on “Photodegradation of Insecticides in Rivers Adjacent to Agricultural Intensive Region”. In his leisure time a few of his hobbies includes: playing soccer, volleyball, and cooking.

Jess Satiroff (M.S. Environmental Engineering Graduate Student)

Jessica Satiroff was raised in Omaha, Nebraska and resided there until college. She went on to The University of New Mexico to complete her B.S. in Civil Engineering. Jess focused on water resources and environmental engineering because those are both things that she is passionate about. In the summer of 2018 she started working with the Messer team. Her research is concerned with the by-products from insecticides reacting with sunlight, which may impact honeybees. Jess loves the environment and nature, which is why she is taking this initial step in researching treatment practices that may enhance  honeybee populations. In her free time she enjoys the outdoors, rock climbing, and cuddling with her dogs. 

Brittany Trejo (M.S. Environmental Engineering Graduate Student)

Brittany was born and raised in Hatch, New Mexico. She received her B.S. in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Environmental and Construction from the University of New Mexico. She is passionate about renewable energy, pollution, water quality, and environmental conservation. Brittany joined the Messer Research Team in the summer of 2018 and is currently investigating antibiotic resistant genes in beef feedlots. Outside of academics, Brittany is interested in outdoor activities (especially hiking and fishing), volunteering at the local LGBTQ+ center, and weightlifting. 

Julia Lindgren (M.S. Environmental Engineering Graduate Student)

Ken Oathout (Undergraduate in Biological Systems Engineering)

Ken was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He was a student at the University of Nebraska Omaha until the fall of 2018, and has transferred to Lincoln to finish his B.S. in Biological Systems Engineering with a focus in Environmental. He is currently a Senior and is interested in habitat management and conservation. In his free time Ken enjoys backpacking, cycling, water sports, and weight training. 

Helen Little (UCARE student in Biological Systems Engineering)

Garrett Isom (Undergraduate in Biological Systems Engineering)

I was born in Phoenix Arizona, and then was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. I am now attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an undergraduate majoring in Biological Systems Engineering. I am interested in environmental and water resources engineering. I enjoy being outdoors either boating with my family or fishing. I like to lift weights and run in my free time.

Trevor Kaslon (Undergraduate in Biological Systems Engineering)

 Trevor Kaslon is a current undergraduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where his major is biological systems engineering.  He is from Columbus, Nebraska where he attended Scotus Central Catholic for his high school diploma.  Some of his favorite activities include sports, fishing, and boating in the summer.  After college he plans on being a hydrologist and wants to help lead the charge on cleaning up trash from the environment, especially in bodies of water or streams.  Trevor was also a member of 4-H his entire life and is currently a member of Beta Theta Pi where he uses his leadership skills to push fellow members to the best they can be.Ken Oathout (Undergraduate in Biological Systems Engineering)

Alumni:

Graduates:

Sam Hansen, M.S. Biological System Engineering (Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality; Lincoln, NE)

Mary Keilhauer, M.S. Natural Resource Sciences (MIG; Denver, CO)

Undergraduates:

Alexa Davis, Undergraduate UCARE Researcher for the MESOLab (UNL School of Natural Resources Master's Student, Expected Gradaution 2020)

Autumn DunnUndergraduate UCARE Researcher for the MESOLab (Master's Student in Nicholas School of Environment Duke University, Expected Gradaution 2021)

Maddie JohnsonUndergraduate Researcher for the US MARC Project (Kiewit;Kansas Citty)

Bailey Monroe, Undergraduate UCARE Researcher for the MESOLab (NRCS; Iowa)

Brody ZabelUndergraduate  Researcher for the US MARC Project (Biological Systems Engineering Undergraduate, Expected Graduation 2020)

Rob Schroeder, Undergraduate Cabela's Apprenticeship for the MESOLab (UNL School of Natural Resources Master's Student, Expected Gradaution 2020)