Taking a cool dip in Pittsburgh's Monongahela River on a sultry day is unthinkable to most. Yet, after twisting and turning through a maze of pipes and filters, this same river water is transformed to a pure, crystal-clear quencher that most anyone will drink. This dichotomous relationship is at the core of urban water quality research by civil and environmental engineering Professor Jeanne Van Briesen. Her work has led to a fellowship with the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program, which advances environmental decision-making by providing academic researchers with the skills and connections needed to be effective leaders and communicators.
—Camille Downing
