ABOUT Us
Dr. Lisa Kunza
Research in the Kunza Laboratory examines the influence of environmental change on aquatic ecosystem processes and functions. In particular, we are interested in linkages among biogeochemistry, ecosystem ecology, and food web dynamics in aquatic ecosystems with an emphasis on applying our scientific findings to broader audiences. Currently, we are examining the influence of environmental alterations to ecosystems including nuisance and invasive species bacterial loading and pathogenicity, nitrogen loading, and hotspots of oligotrophication below dams. Dr. Kunza strives to increase interdisciplinary research with colleagues at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology as well as via regional, national, and international collaborations.
Kurt Chowanski
Dr. Kurt Chowanski has over 20 years of research experience with vegetation, soils, hydrology, climate, and wildlife. His research collaborations have included work on respiration beneath snow, aquatic chemistry in low nutrient alpine watersheds, biogeochemical function in prairie pothole wetlands, remote sensing, cattle grazing in forested lands, estimating river ecosystem metabolism and nitrate uptake, and developing remediation approaches for PFAS. Kurt enjoys hiking, biking, rock climbing, and boating with his family.
Cheryl Chapman, PhD, PE graduated from South Dakota Mines with degrees in civil engineering and mathematics. Her graduate work was in biological sciences with an emphasis on the National Environmental Policy Act. Cheryl served as a presidential appointee in the U.S. Department of the Navy (Installations and Environment), a county commissioner, and in corporate leadership. She continues her work with program implementation on various key technical projects of importance to the community and region.
Cheryl Chapman
Patrick Kozak
Patrick is a PhD student in the Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences Program under Dr. Kunza. He has over 20 years of GIS and Remote sensing experience in climate change and environmental science. Patrick’s dissertation work will be on assessing spatial and temporal salinity variability in water and soil in Northwest South Dakota. This project, funded by the Bureau of Land Management may provide information to help in understanding broader landscape-scale processes and changes across the region.
Mori Williams
Mori is a master’s student in the Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences Program under Dr. Kunza. He recently graduated with a B.S in Environmental Science at Eastern Washington University. His thesis focuses on understanding nitrogen uptake in the Kootenai River during the summer.
Alumni
Lucas Graunke
Graduated: May 2020 - Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
Emily sitckney
Graduated: May 2018 - Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
Michaela halvorson
Graduated: May 2018 - Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences
Taylor clemmons
Graduated: May 2018 - Applied Biological Sciences
andrew uttecht
Graduated: May 2018 - Applied Biological Sciences
Ashley preston
Graduated: May 2018 - Biomedical Engineering
Kristen johnson
Kelsey Murray
Molly Erikson
Chris Schiller
Julie McGreary
Russel Marlow
Applied Biological Sciences
Graduated: May 2017 - Biomedical Engineering
Graduated: May 2017 - Applied Biological Sciences
Graduated: May 2015 - Geology
Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences
Graduated: December 2015 - Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences
Jaime Haueter
Graduated: December 2015 - Atmospheric & Environmental Sciences
Sydney Stanley
Graduated: May 2016 - Applied Biological Sciences
Joseph Petres
Graduated: December 2016 - Applied Biological Sciences