Kerstin Bluhm, Francisco Carlos da Silva, Bahareh Fallah, and César Pedrosa Soares

Water part of interdisciplinary approach for "Living Skies" postdoctoral fellows

Four Living Skies Postdoctoral Fellows are doing their research within the area of water

The Living Skies Postdoctoral Fellows (PDF) program was created to support the recruitment of outstanding postdoctoral fellows to our university and further grow our research, scholarly and artistic enterprise. This unique program is meant to foster inter-disciplinary collaborations by joining cohorts of PDFs with multiple faculty members. Furthermore, each PDF in the cohort will have at least two mentors: one primary faculty mentor and one from outside of the academy such as a private or public sector partner. The PDFs will not only foster interdisciplinarity on our campus, but will also gain from interactions with more than one mentor and with their PDF peers. The PDF cohort will have opportunities to work together across the disciplinary landscape.

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Kerstin Bluhm

Chemical analytical characterization and environmental forensics of stormwater contaminants with investigation of potential treatment opportunities

Kerstin BluhmProject Summary: Traditionally, safe handling of the stormwater focused on quantity with quality only recently becoming of major interest and importance. Stormwater runoff washes off a wide range of contaminants (nutrients, heavy metals, organic chemicals) form roads, parking lots, roofs, facades, and lawns, and discharges them into receiving waters. This project identifies the complex composition of chemical (and other) contaminants found in urban stormwater originating from the City of Saskatoon. After identifying target contaminants, preliminary investigation of treatment options is also being conducted in conjunction with the health risk assessment of stormwater. This research follows upon ongoing (and future planned) stormwater-focused studies being done in collaboration with the City of Saskatoon (Mitch McMann) with the results being proposed for treatment of stormwaters thereby minimizing impacts on downstream communities.

Internal Mentor(s): Dr. Kerry McPhedran

External Mentor(s): Mitch McMann, Stormwater Utility Manager, City of Saskatoon and Mike Sadowski, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager, City of Saskatoon

 

Francisco Carlos da Silva

Health Risk Assessment of Storm Water for Downstream Ecosystems and Communities

Francisco Carlos da SilvaProject Summary: The health implications of exposure to the diverse contaminants present in stormwater for both humans and wildlife are largely unknown and poorly understood. Knowledge about the biological activity of key constituents in these mixtures is critical information needed for the development of efficient remediation technologies and sustainable policies to safely manage stormwater and protect downstream communities and ecosystems. This project assesses the specific mechanism of toxicity of stormwater using next generation in vitro and fish embryo test systems developed by our groups. In combination with chemical analytical characterization of the same samples (work of PDF 1), this research will allow prediction of potential health outcomes in humans and wildlife, while pinpointing the main constituents of concern. In collaboration with the City of Saskatoon (Mitch McMann) and consultation with downstream communities, the results are anticipated to support the development of effective remediation, mitigation and/or adaptation strategies to minimize stormwater impacts to ecosystems and communities.

Internal Mentor(s): Dr. Markus Hecker

External Mentor(s): Mitch McMann, Stormwater Utility Manager, City of Saskatoon

 

Bahareh Fallah

A Transdisciplinary Approach to Understanding and Modelling Coupled Human-water Systems

Bahareh FallahProject Summary: Amidst a pressing water crisis amplified by climate change, socio-economic development and environmental challenges, this project explores the intricate complexities of human-water interactions. Within this context, human influences are profoundly interrelated with water resources. Envisioned as part of the Living Skies Post-doctoral Fellows program, this collaborative project unites scholars specializing in social, environmental, and computer sciences. The primary goal is to construct an all-encompassing conceptual and computational model capable of capturing the dynamic interplay between human behaviour and water across diverse scales and contexts to achieve transformative insights. By doing this, the research aims to pave the way for exploring various water-related scenarios and formulating effective risk management strategies, fostering resilience and equity in front of water-related threats.

Internal Mentor(s): Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace, Dr. Raymond Spiteri, Dr. Martyn Clark, and Dr. Patrick Lloyd-Smith

External Mentor(s): Bridgette Andrews, Saskatchewan Watershed Association and Diego Costa, Alberta Environment

 

César Pedrosa Soares

A Transdisciplinary Approach to Understanding and Modelling Coupled Human-water Systems

César Pedrosa SoaresProject Summary: Amidst a pressing water crisis amplified by climate change, socio-economic development, and environmental challenges, this project explores the intricate complexities of human-water interactions. Within this context, human influences are profoundly interrelated with water resources. Envisioned as part of the Living Skies Post-doctoral Fellows program, this collaborative project unites scholars specializing in social, environmental, and computer sciences. The primary goal is to construct an all-encompassing conceptual and computational model capable of capturing the dynamic interplay between human behaviour and water across diverse scales and contexts to achieve transformative insights. By doing this, the research aims to pave the way for exploring various water-related scenarios and formulating effective risk management strategies, fostering resilience and equity in front of water-related threats.

Internal Mentor(s): Dr. Corinne Schuster-Wallace, Dr. Raymond Spiteri, Dr. Martyn Clark, and Dr. Patrick Lloyd-Smith

External Mentor(s): Bridgette Andrews, Saskatchewan Watershed Association and Diego Costa, Alberta Environment

 


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