About WERI
Mission Statement
Vision Statement
Breadth of Expertise
WERI seeks to maintain a portfolio of core expertise that spans the natural water cycle from meteorology through surface and groundwater hydrology, and essential water-use activities including exploration, development, and management; water quality protection and remediation; wastewater treatment and disposal; and related basic supporting fields, such as geospatial analysis, climatology, environmental chemistry, and microbiology.
Dr. Yuming Wen
Associate Professor of GIS
1-671-735-2687
ywen@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Nathan C. Habana
Associate Professor of Groundwater Hydrology
Chief Hydrologist
1-671-735-2685
nchabana@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Barry (Yong Sang) Kim
Associate Professor of Water Engineering
1-671-735-1223
kimys@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Myeong-Ho Yeo
Associate Professor of Surface Water Hydrology
1-671-735-2695
yeom@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Blaž Miklavič
Assistant Professor of Geology
1-671-735-2693
miklavicb@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Nathan C. Habana
Associate Professor of Groundwater Hydrology
Chief Hydrologist
1-671-735-2685
nchabana@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Barry (Yong Sang) Kim
Associate Professor of Water Engineering
1-671-735-1223
kimys@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Myeong-Ho Yeo, PE
Associate Professor of Surface Water Hydrology
1-671-735-2695
yeom@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Blaž Miklavič
Assistant Professor of Geology
1-671-735-2693
miklavicb@triton.uog.edu
Institutional History
The Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI) was established at the University of Guam in May 1975. It is one of 54 institutes established by U.S. Congressional legislation at each Land Grant University in the United States and in several territories. Originally named Water and Energy Research Institute of the Western Pacific, WERI changed its name in 1998 in line with expanding research interests in water related areas of other disciplines, e.g., meteorology, geology, hydrology, geohydrology, engineering, environmental toxicology, environmental chemistry, mapping and modeling. An account of WERI during this time period was documented by Dr. Stephen J. Winters in a keynote speech at the University of Guam, which details some of the early problems they have encountered, research projects, and his vision of the institution’s progress towards to the future.
The role of the Institute is to facilitate and conduct high quality research that addresses water problems and water-related phenomena; train students, teachers and future water resource professionals, and disseminate research results to the community at large. Base support for WERI comes from the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI) 104-B Program administered through the U.S. Geological Survey. The Institute also seeks funding for research projects from local and other federal sources.
Consistent with the regional role of the University, the Institute devotes part of its program effort to Western Pacific islands other than Guam. It is the only research center of its type in this geographic area and endeavors to respond to the unique conditions that exist here. WERI officially became the first Regional Water Resources Research Institute in the WRRI program by extending its mission to the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in 1991 and to the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas (CNMI) in 1997. This designation has opened a broad new spectrum of research and service opportunities for the University of Guam.
WERI works closely with an Advisory Council established for each of its three regional entities. Each council is composed of representatives from various government departments that deal with water and water related issues, public and private sector engineers, environmentalists and planners as well as academics and interested members of the community. The Institute draws from the varied expertise of its research faculty members, University of Guam faculty, research affiliates from other universities, and local professionals.
WERI Directors
Dr. John W. Jenson
Environmental Geology, Hydrogeology
6 years | 2016 – 2022
jjenson@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Shahram Khosrowpanah, PE
Civil Engineer, Hydraulics
Interim Dean School of Engineering
2 years | 2014 – 2016
2 years | 1990s, 3 years | 1980s,
khosrow@triton.uog.edu
1-671-735-2694
Dr. Gary Denton
Environmental Toxicology
7 years | 2006 – 2014
gdenton@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Leroy F. Heitz, PE
Civil Engineer, Hydrologist
Emeritus Professor
6 years | 2000 – 2006
lheitz@triton.uog.edu
Dr. Shahram Khosrowpanah, PE
Civil Engineer, Hydraulics
Interim Dean School of Engineering
4 years | 2012 – 2016
2 years | 1990s, 3 years | 1980s
Dr. Leroy F. Heitz, PE
Civil Engineer, Hydrologist
Emeritus Professor
6 years | 2000 – 2006
Dr. Galt Siegrist
Geologist
3 years | 1997 – 2000
Emeritus Professor
Dr. Peter Hontoon
Geologist
1980s
Facilities
Water Quality Laboratory
1-671-735-2688
The Water Quality Laboratory was started with the inception of the Water Resource Research Center in 1972. The laboratory’s current staffing includes a Laboratory Manager and one full time Laboratory Technician. Part time research assistants are hired as required by analysis workloads.
The laboratory is equipped to perform a variety of Water Quality/Environmental Analysis in support of WERI research faculty, as well as support of the teaching faculty in the Environmental Science Program; Chemistry Department; the University of Guam Marine Laboratory; and the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. In addition the laboratory is available for student thesis projects.
The laboratory also provides a variety of analytical services to public and private sectors of the community, and is USEPA certified to perform lead, copper and bacteriological analyses of drinking water. Various other physical and chemical tests are routinely carried out on aqueous samples and are available at commercially competitive rates. The laboratory also commonly conducts trace metal analysis on other environmental samples, particularly soils, sediments and biological materials.
The Guam Hydrologic Survey and Comprehensive Water Monitoring Program (GHS | CWMP)
Hydrology Laboratory | 1-671-735-2693
The Guam Hydrologic Survey (GHS) and the Comprehensive Water Monitoring Program (CWMP) P.L. 24-247 and 161 charges the Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI) at the University of Guam to develop, operate, manage, and administer these two public law programs. The program was enacted in 1998 to address the need for access to accurate hydrological information and scientific advice for island growth and development with respect to water resources capacity. The mission of the GHS and CWMP is to collect and make accessible pertinent hydrologic information, establish interagency cooperation agreements for data acquisition, apply data analysis and make interpretation available in annual reports, provide water resource educational outreach (workshop, aquifer tours), produce the latest hydrologic information materials (poster, maps), and conduct scientific research into water resource problems, delivering sound recommendations for policy, regulations, and management decisions. The two public laws also provides details to drilling and geophysical data collection and develop annual budget for program appropriations. See the Guam Hydrologic Survey website for more information.
Program Coordinator IV
Position to be filled
Water Quality Lab Staff
Water Quality Lab | 1-671-735-2688
Chemist II / Analyst
Position to be filled
Dannika Kate Valerio
Research Assistant III
Web Developer / Information Manager
1-671-735-2693
valeriod@triton.uog.edu
Research Associate III
Position to be filled
Dannika Kate Valerio
Research Assistant III
Web Developer / Information Manager
1-671-735-2685
valeriod@triton.uog.edu
Mary Clare Snaer
Research Assistant III
Digital Assistant | EV Graduate Student
1-671-735-2685
snaerm@triton.uog.edu
Atasha Bautista
Research Assistant II
Groundwater Modeling
1-671-735-2685
bautistaa14770@triton.uog.edu
Atasha Bautista
Research Assistant II
Groundwater Modeling
1-671-735-2685
bautistaa14770@triton.uog.edu
Research Assistant II
Position to be filled
Atasha Bautista
Research Assistant II
Groundwater Modeling
1-671-735-2685
bautistaa14770@triton.uog.edu
Former Research Assistants & Research Associates
Name | Position | Year |
---|---|---|
Matt Wilson Zapata | Research Assistant | 2024 |
Hark Galarion | Research Assistant | 2023 |
Maria Jhonnie Villareal | Research Associate | 2023 |
Hazelle Ko
Research Assistant III
Committee: Wen, Habana, Badowski, Cabrera, and Jenson
1-671-735-2685
koh@gotritons.uog.edu
Mary Clare Snaer
Research Assistant III
Committee: Miklavič, Habana, and Aquino
1-671-735-2685
snaerm@triton.uog.edu
Eliana Walker
Research Assistant II
Committee: King, Jenson, …
1-671-735-2685
Fagan Matthys
Research Assistant III
Committee: Habana, Jenson, Miller, and Wood
1-671-735-2685
matthysf@triton.uog.edu
Master of Environmental Science Graduates
To view a complete list of MS of EV graduates, jump to this section.
2021-2022 Graduate
Master of Science in Environmental Science
WERI is proud to announce our recent Master of Environmental Science Graduate of 2021-2022. Ms. Mallary Duenas is the product of the University of Guam’s Graduate Studies Program, Master of Science in Environmental Science who produced a WERI Master’s Thesis and Professional Thesis Project.
Ms. Mallary Duenas
Graduated December 2022
Committee: Kim, Jenson, Habana, and Vuki
2020-2021 Graduates
Master of Science in Environmental Science
WERI is proud to announce our recent Master of Environmental Science Graduates of 2020-2021. Ms. Maria Jhonnie Villareal and Mr. Paul Bourke are the products of the University of Guam’s Graduate Studies Program, Master of Science in Environmental Science who produced a WERI Master’s Thesis and Professional Thesis Projects.
Ms. Maria Jhonnie Villareal
Graduated December 2021
Committee: Jenson, King, and Aban
Mr. Paul Bourke
Graduated May 2020
Committee: Jenson, Habana, Lander, and Ho
2019 Graduates
Master of Science in Environmental Science
WERI is proud to announce four new brilliant Masters of Environmental Science Graduates of 2019: Ms. Jennifer O. Cruz, Ms. Bekah Dougher, Ms. Lyuqin Liu, and Mr. Daniel G. Superales. These outstanding graduates are the product of the University of Guam’s Graduate Studies Program, Master of Science in Environmental Science who each produced a WERI Master’s Thesis Project.
Ms. Jennifer O. Cruz
Graduated May 2019
Committee: Denton, Biggs, Donaldson, and Jenson
Ms. Bekah Dougher
Graduated May 2019
Presidential Thesis Award, NGWA – Farvolden Scholarship
Committee: Habana, Jenson, Lander, and Ho
Ms. Lyuqin Liu
Graduated December 2019
Committee: Kim, Rouse, Jenson,
and Wu
Mr. Daniel G. Superales
Graduated December 2019
Committee: Habana, Jenson, and Gingerich
MS in Environmental Science: WERI Graduates
To view feature stories on graduates, visit the WERI News: Graduates page.
Year | MS Environmental Science Graduate | Advisor | |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Pangelinan, James | Yeo | |
2022 | Duenas, Mallary | Kim | |
2021 | Villareal, Maria Jhonnie | Jenson | |
2020 | Bourke, Paul | Jenson | |
2019 | Superales, Daniel Vincent Garrido | Habana | |
2019 | Liu, Lyuqin | Kim | |
2019 | Dougher, Rebekah | Habana | |
2019 | Cruz, Jennifer | Denton | |
2019 | Arceo, Candice | Denton | |
2017 | Shalilian, Ida | Jenson | |
2017 | Bautista, Kaylyn K. | Jenson | |
2015 | Martinez, Justin | Rouse | |
2015 | Whitman, William | Khosrowpanah | |
2014 | Namazi, Sara | Denton | |
2014 | Vann, David | Jenson | |
2013 | Welch, Paulina | Denton | |
2013 | Muller, Leena | Rouse | |
2013 | Bendixson, Vivianna | Jenson | |
2012 | Schiable, Brian | Denton | |
2012 | Simard, Christine | Jenson | |
2012 | Manibusan, Sydonia | Khosrowpanah | |
2011 | Bell, Tomoko | Jenson | |
2011 | Miklavič, Blaž | Jenson-Mylroie | |
2010 | Kottermair, Maria | Wen | |
2009 | Datuin, Theresa | Lander | |
2009 | Habana, Nathan | Heitz-Jenson | |
2008 | Bailey, Ryan | Jenson | |
2007 | Moran, Dave | Jenson | |
2007 | Hoffman, Michelle | Jenson | |
2007 | Wexel, Curtis | Jenson | |
2007 | Park, Michael | Khosrowpanah | |
2006 | MacCracken, Robert | Jenson | |
2005 | Takase, Chie | Denton-Shupp | |
2003 | Jano-Meno, Jeanette | Raulerson | |
2002 | Scheman, Nicole | Khosrowpanah | |
2001 | Smit, Karl-Gustaaf | Seigrist | |
2001 | McDonald, Mauryn | Jenson | |
2000 | Beausoliel, Collette | Khosrowpanah | |
2000 | Taborosi, Danko | Jenson | |
2000 | Lewis, Russel | Seigrist | |
1997 | Jocson, John | Jenson | |
1997 | Dumaliang, Peter-Paul | Khosrowpanah |
In Memoriam
Dr. Mark A. Lander
Assistant Professor of Meteorology
In Memoriam: Dr. Mark Lander
The Mark A. Lander Scholarship for Excellence in Environmental Science