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The DESERT-PFAS Student Grand Challenge
An opportunity for junior, senior, and graduate students at U of A to solve real-world challenges related to PFAS (“forever chemicals”) and sustainability in Arizona while greatly advancing your professional preparation & networks.
APPLY NOW
Gain applied, interdisciplinary problem-solving experience with leading faculty mentorship while cultivating professional relationships and learning transferable skills you can take with you into the job market.
Jumpstart your environmental career by getting real-world experience working on current environmental challenges with real, knowledgeable professionals!
Challenge Runs November 2026 - May 2027.
Work 5 hours per week with sponsors, mentors, and a team of up to 3 other students on a real, active project.
Meet milestones you set with your teammates and mentors, receive a $1,000 award per person at the end of the program!
THE FOUR CHALLENGES
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CHALLENGE #1: DEVELOP INDUSTRIAL FRAMEWORKS & SITE MODELS TO MANAGE RISK POSED BY PFAS
Haley & Aldrich, Inc. is an engineering consulting firm with over 1,200 engineers, scientists, and constructors in 45 offices across the U.S., including offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Company expertise includes contaminated site characterization and remediation for legacy and emerging contaminants, including PFAS, chemical fate and transport modeling, risk-based strategies for state and federal programs, and groundwater resources management. Students working on this project may engage with tasks including understanding and characterizing the environmental regulatory and industrial framework related to PFAS-focused conceptual site model development, contaminant fate & transport modeling in both vadose and saturated zones. Student will work with industry practitioners to address real-world PFAS challenges facing our communities and gain hands-on experiences in PFAS regulation, site characterization tools and methods, site conceptual model, fate and transport simulation
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PROJECT LEAD/
FACULTY MENTOR
DR. BO GUO
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CHALLENGE #2: IMPROVE GROUND WATER QUALITY & SERVICE
The City of Tucson is proud of Tucson’s rich history of water stewardship. Tucson Water and the Tucson community are building on shared traditions to innovate and sustain the Sonoran Desert’s most valuable resource. Tucson Water remains one of the largest groundwater systems in the country and has been heavily impacted by the presence of PFAS. Voluntary and proactive efforts combined with a commitment to protecting the water quality delivered to customers have resulted in a significant investment in water quality monitoring, infrastructure, and removing 40 wells from potable service, representing approximately 15 percent of groundwater supply. Students working on this project may engage with tasks including ground water and well monitoring, water quality testing, and remediation planning.
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PROJECT LEAD/
FACULTY MENTOR
DR. VASILIKI KARANIKOLA
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CHALLENGE #3: IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES WITH WATER & LAND USE MANAGEMENT
How can communities grow in ways that protect public health, preserve natural resources, and support future generations?
The Santa Cruz County Community Development Department is looking for innovative ideas to help shape a healthier, more sustainable future. The Department works to improve customer service, streamline development processes, and align infrastructure and land use planning with County priorities, including attainable housing, reliable transportation, and environmental sustainability.
Students participating in this challenge will explore real-world planning issues by developing ideas that connect land use, water resources, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. This is an opportunity to apply your skills to a meaningful community challenge while helping identify solutions that support sustainable growth and improved public health.
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PROJECT LEAD/
FACULTY MENTOR
DR. AMANDA WILSON
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CHALLENGE #4: KEEP ARIZONA'S DRINKING WATER CLEAN
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality works to ensure safe drinking water and a healthy environment while emphasizing equity and engagement with communities across the state. More than 7 million people in Arizona get drinking water from a public water system (PWS) regulated by ADEQ. The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act establishes health standards to ensure tap water is safe to drink. ADEQ, with the help of local counties, assesses drinking water sources, establishes system design requirements, and reviews the operation and construction of public water systems. ADEQ also monitors drinking water quality through required testing of potential contaminants at all PWSs. Students working on this project may engage with tasks including supporting community engagement efforts and/or assisting with ADEQ's various units and programs: Monitoring and Protection; Inspections and Compliance; Capacity Development; and Engineering, Data and Source Water.
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PROJECT LEAD/
FACULTY MENTOR
DR. NATHAN LOTHROP
PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WILL:
Participate in a fact-finding virtual meeting with their project sponsor at the beginning of the project
Participate in regular meetings with their faculty project mentor (schedule to be determined by mentor and mentees)
Work collaboratively (5 hours/week minimum) with team members
Join DESERT-PFAS Research Accelerator meetings
Present an interim project report in January 2027
Present a capstone project report to research accelerator members, project sponsors, and a general campus audience in April 2027
Submit a written final report to the project sponsor, meeting the requirements specified by the sponsor, no later than May 6, 2027
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be:
• actively enrolled University of Arizona junior, senior, or graduate students during Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters in any program; and
• eligible to receive a stipend award (which may impact financial aid status, tax status or reporting).