Josh Epstein, PhD

I received my MS degree in wildlife ecology and conservation in August 2016 from the University of Florida where I measured the functional diversity of freshwater fish communities across the southeastern United States. I received my PhD in forest resources and conservation in August 2021 from the University of Florida where I studied the hydrology and biodiversity of geographically isolated wetlands in three Florida wetlandscapes (Big Cypress National Preserve, Ordway-Swisher Biological Station, and Austin Cary Forest). My research focuses on understanding the environmental and spatial drivers of aquatic biodiversity, and more specifically, how the timing and duration of inundation and hydrologic connectivity influence species composition.

Katie Glodzik, PhD

I'm a geospatial scientist specialized in remote sensing, wetland ecology, and quantitative ecology. My current work focuses on creating decision support tools for forest management, centered specifically on increasing forest water yield and understanding carbon storage drivers in depressional wetlands. I did my PhD at UF in Interdisciplinary Ecology, focusing on saltwater intrusion and hydrologic change impacts to coastal wetlands. I have a Master of Environmental Management from Duke University and I've worked as a GIS consultant and contractor for non-profit conservation groups and government. I love to cook, pickle things, learn history, spend time outside, and do various crafting.

Katie Wardinski, PhD

Katie has an interdisciplinary background in environmental engineering, hydrology, soil science, and biogeochemistry. As a postdoctoral associate with the UF Water Institute, Katie will be researching water quality and biogeochemistry in Florida’s springs, groundwater, and forested headwaters. Katie earned her M.S. in 2021 and Ph.D. in 2025 in Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech. During her graduate studies, Katie’s research focused on soil-derived dissolved organic matter cycling at terrestrial-aquatic interfaces in wetland-dominated landscapes, stormwater control measures, and drinking supply watersheds. Katie earned her B.S. in Environmental Engineering in 2019 from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. Outside of research, Katie enjoys running, biking, and reading. 

Sam Howley (PhD student) 

Sam is a Ph.D. student delving into carbon fluxes and transport in flatwood streams. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Science at the University of Florida, conducting research on stormwater pond nutrient dynamics. Following this, she contributed to an interdisciplinary project examining prescribed fire effects on savanna pine wetlands. During her master's, Sam joined the Ecohydrology Lab, where she investigated the impacts of flow reversals on spring ecology, focusing on metabolic gas concentrations and efflux. Her interests encompass biogeochemistry, hydrologic connectivity, and the human footprint on hydrological systems. Beyond her academic pursuits, Sam enjoys biking, music, and spending time with her feline companion, Grayson.

Lindsey Cromwell (PhD Student)

I am currently a PhD student in SFFGS with a research focus on the spatial and temporal variability of solutes in Florida's iconic springs. Before joining the lab, I earned my BS in Geoscience from Indiana University of Pennsylvania studying the structural geology of Taiwan's Eastern Central Range, and my MS in Geology studying Arctic surface water - groundwater interactions using numerical models from West Virginia University. Along with my research at UF, I am involved with various projects through the Carbonate Critical Zone Research Coordination Network and Trajectories Towards Water Security (TRACER). When I'm not coding, I like to listen to music and go to the beach with my dogs Crash and Maverick. 

Sunita Shrestha (PhD Student)

I'm researching the nuances of water and carbon dynamics in Florida's wetlands as a PhD student at the University of Florida. I completed my B.Sc. in Environmental Science in 2016 and M.Sc. in 2019 from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. I'm passionate about environmental ecology and its conservation, with a particular focus on wetland ecology, biogeochemistry, and water quality and its purification.

Seyed Abolfazl Ebrahimi (PhD Student)

Abolfazl received his master's in civil and environmental engineering from Sharif University of Technology, the most prestigious University in Iran. He carried out his master's projects by focusing on the prediction and modeling of the water quality and water level of the dam Reservoir using hydrodynamic model and machine learning algorithms. Abolfazl's research during his Ph.D. delves into the spatiotemporal variability of water quality, exploring the intricate balance between spatial and temporal factors influencing stream solute concentrations. Through extensive data analysis across various geographical regions, Abolfazl aims to develop and enhance predictive models for water quality patterns. His work explores the interactions between landscape characteristics, hydrological processes, and solute variability, striving to optimize water quality monitoring programs. The research also addresses critical questions about the origins of solute variability, which is vital for effective water quality management and environmental stewardship.

Cecilia Aragon (Research Technician)

I am a freshman majoring in Natural Resource Conservation, with the hope to dual degree in Anthropology. I am especially interested in interdisciplinary issues such as human-environment interactions, the anthropology of conservation, and the role of indigenous communities in conservation. The ecohydrology lab gives me the valuable opportunity to work in freshwater ecosystems and help quantitatively analyze unique, and often understudied, aspects of the watersheds in North Florida. My interest in conservation is broad and I hope to continue exploring various aspects of the field throughout my time at UF, such as fire management, terrestrial ecology, and much more.

Andrew Lebowitz (Research Technician)

I am a senior majoring in environmental science with a minor in soil, water, and ecosystem sciences. I am currently working on an undergraduate thesis, studying how rain interacts with forests to leach and potentially mobilize dissolved organic carbon into the greater watershed. After graduating, I likely will pursue further research, but I plan to first experience the world, volunteer, and uncover more specific interests through hands-on work in the tropics. I am drawn to the interconnectedness, change, and harmony found in all natural systems. Ultimately, my deepest aspiration is to help protect and restore ecosystems in a way that also provides benefits for local communities.

Suheily Ventura-Martinez (Research Technician)

I am a junior majoring in Agricultural Education and Communication, with a specialization in Communication and Leadership Development and a minor in Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences. I am passionate about connecting people to agriculture and the environment through creative and accessible communication. My experiences as a Field & Fork Farm intern and Undergraduate Research Assistant in the School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences have given me valuable hands-on opportunities to study soil and water systems, create educational materials, and engage the public in sustainability topics. I am especially interested in how storytelling, visual design, and outreach can bridge the gap between scientific research and community understanding. Looking forward, I hope to continue exploring careers in environmental communication, extension education, and sustainable agriculture, where I can combine creativity, research, and service to promote environmental awareness and stewardship.