About WERI

Dr. Yuming Wen, GISP

WERI Director | 2023
ywen@triton.uog.edu
1-671-735-2687

Mission Statement

Trustworthy and timely research, instruction, and advice to support scientifically informed development and effective management of the freshwater resources of Guam, CNMI, and FSM. Read more.

Vision Statement

WERI’s vision is to remain the acknowledged local and regional source of choice for scientific and technical advice on water resource exploration, development, and management; and a nationally-ranked and internationally recognized center of excellence for research in its strategic specialties. To fulfill this vision, WERI will maintain broad expertise in the essential subdisciplines of scientific and engineering hydrology and leverage its expertise with strategic partnerships and collaborations.

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. 

WERI Faculty

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

1991 WERI Building

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. Ross Miller

Entomologist
1 year | 2022-2023


millerr@triton.uog.edu

Dr. John W. Jenson

Environmental Geology, Hydrogeology
6 years | 2016 – 2022

jjenson@triton.uog.edu

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

leroy-heitz

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

khosrow@triton.uog.edu

Dr. Gary Denton

Environmental Toxicology
6 years | 2006 – 2012

gdenton@triton.uog.edu

leroy-heitz

Dr. Leroy F. Heitz, PE

Civil Engineer, Hydrologist
Emeritus Professor
 6 years | 2000 – 2006

lheitz@triton.uog.edu

Dr. Galt Siegrist

Geologist
3 years | 1997 – 2000
Emeritus Professor

Dr. Peter Hontoon

Geologist 
1980s

Dr. Stephen J. Winter, PE

Engineer
9 years | 1976 – 1985

Dr. James Marsh

Marine Biologist
Emeritus Professor 
1975-1976

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.

WERI Staff

Administration Staff | Front Office | 1-671-735-2685 | Fax: 1-671-734-8890

Program Coordinator IV

Position to be filled

Shirley Itliong

Administrative Support Specialist
1-671-735-2685 
itliongs@triton.uog.edu

Water Quality Lab Staff

Water Quality Lab | 1-671-735-2688

Mallary N. Duenas

Laboratory Manager 
1-671-735-2688 
mnduenas@triton.uog.edu 

Chemist II / Analyst

Position to be filled

Mallary N. Duenas

Laboratory Manager 
1-671-735-2688 
mnduenas@triton.uog.edu 

Mignon Tuazon

Chemist II / Analyst 
1-671-735-2688 
tuazonm@triton.uog.edu

Mallary N. Duenas

Laboratory Manager 
1-671-735-2688 
mnduenas@triton.uog.edu 

Mignon Tuazon

Chemist II / Analyst 
1-671-735-2688 
tuazonm@triton.uog.edu

Annette Ludwig

Research Associate
1-671-735-2688

ludwiga@triton.uog.edu

Mallary N. Duenas

Laboratory Manager / Research Assistant 
1-671-735-2688 
mnduenas@triton.uog.edu 

Mignon Tuazon

Chemist II / Analyst 
1-671-735-2688 
tuazonm@triton.uog.edu

Elizabeth Weckel

Laboratory Technician 
1-671-735-2688 
weckele@triton.uog.edu

Precious Nagallo

Accounting Analyst
1-671-735-2685

weri.invoice@triton.uog.edu

Camille Ricafort

Research Assistant II
1-671-735-2688

ricafortc12931@triton.uog.edu

Isaac Snively

Research Assistant I 
1-671-735-2685 
snivelyi@gotritons.uog.edu

Annette Ludwig

Research Associate
1-671-735-2688

ludwiga@triton.uog.edu

Precious Nagallo

Accounting Analyst
1-671-735-2685

weri.invoice@triton.uog.edu

GHS | CWMP | OGAMP

Hydrology Lab | 1-671-735-2693

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

Mary Clare Snaer

Research Assistant III
Digital Assistant
1-671-735-2685
snaerm@triton.uog.edu

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

MATT WILSON ZAPATA, RESEARCH ASSISTANT II

Matt Wilson Zapata

Research Assistant II
Digital Assistant
1-671-735-2685
zapatam@triton.uog.edu

Atasha Bautista

Research Assistant II
Groundwater Modeling
1-671-735-2685 
bautistaa14770@triton.uog.edu

Photo of WERI RA Jovic Caasi

Jovic Caasi

Research Assistant II
Groundwater Modeling
1-671-735-2685 
caasij11947@triton.uog.edu

Atasha Bautista

Research Assistant II
Groundwater Modeling
1-671-735-2685 
bautistaa14770@triton.uog.edu

Photo of WERI RA Jovic Caasi

Jovic Caasi

Research Assistant II
Groundwater Modeling
1-671-735-2685 
caasij11947@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

Photo of WERI RA Jovic Caasi

Jovic Caasi

Research Assistant II
Groundwater Modeling
1-671-735-2685 
caasij11947@triton.uog.edu

Former Research Assistants & Research Associates

NamePositionYear
Matt Wilson ZapataResearch Assistant2024
Hark GalarionResearch Assistant2023
Maria Jhonnie VillarealResearch Associate2023
Photo of WERI RA Jovic Caasi

Jovic Caasi

Research Assistant I
Advisor: Habana
1-671-735-2685
caasij11947@triton.uog.edu

MATT WILSON ZAPATA, RESEARCH ASSISTANT II

Matt Wilson Zapata

Research Assistant II
1-671-735-2685
zapatam@triton.uog.edu

Graduate Research Assistants 2024

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

Natalie Bravo

Research Assistant III
1-671-735-2685 
bravon@triton.uog.edu 

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. 

Read the Feature on the 2019 Graduates on WERI News. 

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. 

YearMS Environmental Science GraduateAdvisor
2023Pangelinan, JamesYeo
2022Duenas, MallaryKim
2021Villareal, Maria JhonnieJenson
2020Bourke, PaulJenson
2019Superales, Daniel Vincent GarridoHabana
2019Liu, LyuqinKim
2019Dougher, RebekahHabana
2019Cruz, JenniferDenton
2019Arceo, CandiceDenton
2017Shalilian, IdaJenson
2017Bautista, Kaylyn K.Jenson
2015Martinez, JustinRouse
2015Whitman, William Khosrowpanah
2014Namazi, SaraDenton
2014Vann, DavidJenson
2013Welch, PaulinaDenton
2013Muller, LeenaRouse
2013Bendixson, ViviannaJenson
2012Schiable, BrianDenton
2012Simard, ChristineJenson
2012Manibusan, SydoniaKhosrowpanah
2011Bell, TomokoJenson
2011Miklavič, Blaž Jenson-Mylroie
2010Kottermair, MariaWen
2009Datuin, TheresaLander
2009Habana, NathanHeitz-Jenson
2008Bailey, RyanJenson
2007Moran, DaveJenson
2007Hoffman, MichelleJenson
2007Wexel, CurtisJenson
2007Park, MichaelKhosrowpanah
2006MacCracken, RobertJenson
2005Takase, ChieDenton-Shupp
2003Jano-Meno, JeanetteRaulerson
2002Scheman, NicoleKhosrowpanah
2001Smit, Karl-GustaafSeigrist
2001McDonald, MaurynJenson
2000Beausoliel, ColletteKhosrowpanah
2000Taborosi, DankoJenson
2000Lewis, RusselSeigrist
1997Jocson, JohnJenson
1997Dumaliang, Peter-PaulKhosrowpanah