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The DESERT-PFAS Student Grand Challenge
An opportunity for undergraduate 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.
APPLICATIONS OPEN AUG. 24, 2026
Work 5 hours per week with sponsors, mentors, and a team of 3 other students (of your choosing or assigned*) 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!
*You may apply by yourself or as part of a team of up to 4 people. Either way, if selected, you will work on the project as a team of up to 4 people. If you apply as part of a team, each team member must submit their own individual application and must list all preferred team members in that submission.
THE FOUR CHALLENGES
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CHALLENGE #1: DESIGN INDUSTRIAL FRAMEWORKS & SITE MODELS TO REMEDIATE PFAS
Haley & Aldrich, Inc. is an engineering consulting firm with over 1,000 engineers, scientists, and constructors in 40 offices across the U.S., including offices in Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona. Company expertise includes 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 conceptual site model and remedy development.
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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 40 wells being removed from potable service, representing approximately 15 percent of 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
The Santa Cruz County Community Development Department works to improve customer service, streamline projects, and align public infrastructure and private development to further County goals in attainable housing, reliable transportation, and a sustainable environment. Students working on this project may engage with tasks to support integrated planning efforts that connect land use, water resources, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship to support sustainable growth and public health outcomes.
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PROJECT LEAD/
FACULTY MENTOR
DR. AMANADA 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 15, 2027
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be:
• actively enrolled University of Arizona undergraduate 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).