WERI kicks off the Guam Rocks! show at Ritidian’s National Wildlife Refuge as part of a series of student field trips running from April to May.

In today’s era of Big Data, Ms. Valerio emphasized the growing importance of accessible and centralized water resource data to support researchers, water managers, and agencies responsible for protecting and producing Guam’s water. MAppFx isn’t just a platform—it’s a leap forward in making Guam’s hydrologic data more connected, more useful, and more impactful for the future of water sustainability in the Marianas.

Dr. Nathan Habana, a hydrologist at the University of Guam’s Water and Environmental Research Institute (WERI), unveiled groundbreaking updates to the Surface Hydrology of Southern Guam project during the Guam Educators Conservation Summit (GECS), which was hosted by WERI’s longtime partner, the Guam Soil and Water Conservation District (GSWCD).

WERI’s rock show was brought to a career day at a local elementary school. Students learned about Guam’s geology and the NGLA through live demos and interactive games. WERI had a great time showcasing their work and is appreciative of the opportunity to connect, spark curiosity and excitement for science, and inspire the next generation in STEM.

Dr. Habana presented an updated map of southern Guam watersheds done in collaboration with Dr. Underwood from the Kumision I Fino’ CHamoru at the Watershed Planning Committee meeting on Mar. 12, 2025. In the future, WERI plans to combine this map with the maps of northern Guam for a comprehensive map of Guam.

Become a part of the Information Management team at WERI! Requirements: Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate at UOG. Less than 3 years of relevant experience. Most of all—willing to learn and assist with information management goals and objectives.

WERI hosted a collaborative research workshop with Changwon National University’s (CWNU) Global Learning & Academic research institution for Master’s, PhD students and Postdocs (G-LAMP) on Jan. 16, 2025 with presentations on various research areas. An MOU signing ceremony took place on Jan. 17, followed by a tour of the NGLA.

WERI is proud to announce the most recent Master of Environmental Science graduate of 2023-2024, Ms. Hazelle Ko. She successfully presented her thesis, Chloride Trends in the Yigo-Tumon Basin, Northern Guam Lens Aquifer, 1973-2022: Natural and Manmade Factors, in November and walked across the UOG stage in December with her degree. Congratulations!

WERI EV graduate students, Ms. Hazelle Ko and Ms. Mary Clare Snaer, shared their research during NGWA’s Groundwater Week 2024 in Las Vegas, NV. Ms. Snaer was awarded the Farvolden Scholarship after presenting her work on the “Dynamic Response of the Water Source in the NGLA.”

On Oct. 25, 2024, UOG celebrated Cathleen Moore-Linn and her accomplishments throughout her career as the Executive Director of the Research Corporation UOG. In a bid farewell, WERI reflects and expresses their most sincere gratitude in her efforts to push for the construction of the new WERI building.

From September 30, 2024 to October, 2, 2024, two WERI research assistants, Ms. Atasha Bautista and Ms. Mary Clare Snaer had the opportunity to share their WERI research projects at the 2024 AWRA, UCOWR, NIWR Joint Water Resources Conference. This year, the event took place at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

Recently, Dr. Kim wrote an article for the Guam Daily Post. The article highlighted WERI’s efforts to address water security amid rising climate challenges and emphasized using seawater as a potential solution. This research was published in the Springer journal, Water, Air & Soil Pollution.