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The Speir Lab at the University of Arkansas

@speirsquad

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Ecosystem Ecology & Stream Biogeochemistry
Understanding the influence of humans on streams & rivers
#SpeirSquad #WomeninSTEM #WPS 🐗

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MEET THE TEAM | Skyla Henry is an undergraduate technician in the Speir Lab and is helping with field and lab work. She is a senior at UARK studying biology. Previously, she worked at Arkansas State University on a wetland project in their ecotoxicology lab. She enjoys playing indie games, taking her cat on walks, and listening to music in her free time. Her favorite stream activity is looking for aquatic macroinvertebrates. taken in University of Arkansas by @speirsquad

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14 hours ago

First application of biochar-amended poultry litter complete for the BEACON project!

Our EPA-funded project focuses on looking at the impacts of this alternate fertilizer on water quality in the Brush Creek watershed about 30 minutes from Fayetteville, Arkansas.

We are so excited to have begun our implementation phase of conservation in our pilot #DiscoveryWatershed location! taken in Goshen, Arkansas by @speirsquad

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4 days ago

MEET THE TEAM | A belated welcome to the new #SpeirSquad PhD students!

Amanda Opp (left) will be working on the Arkansas Discovery Watershed Program. Her favorite river is the Colorado River and all of her estuaries, because of the complex policy surrounding the river and the biological and geological diversity. In her free time, she enjoys reading, crafting, outdoor activities, Braum’s ice cream, and interpreting cloud shapes.

Allison Schmidt (right) will study water quality in the Brush Creek watershed. For her dissertation research, she plans to evaluate the impacts of poultry litter fertilizer and biochar amendment on pastureland nutrient losses. In her previous research experience, Allison investigated challenges related to soil fertility, nitrogen cycling, cover crops, and sustainable agriculture. She enjoys reading, listening to music, and going for nature walks with her dalmatian, Disco, in her free time. Her favorite creek is Moccasin Creek, Illinois. by @speirsquad

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5 days ago

Wouldn't be a #SpeirSquad gathering without a .5 selfie 🙃

We had a blast at the @uarkansas CSES fall picnic - Can't beat bbq and cake with the best crew around! taken in Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences by @speirsquad

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a month ago

A few weeks ago the #SpeirSquad kicked off the start of the 2026-2027 school year with our annual ice cream party! We are looking forward to an awesome fall, with two new PhD students and an undergrad joining the crew. Welcome Allison, Amanda, and Skyla! taken in University of Arkansas by @speirsquad

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MEET THE TEAM | Cody Quiroz is the #SpeirSquad's new Project Manager on Project BEACON. He will be helping us run our newest EPA grant focused on the application of biochar-amended poultry litter (BAPL) on pasturelands in #NWA and the resulting impacts on water quality. His favorite stream is Pheasant Branch in Middleton, WI, where he conducted his master’s research. In his free time, he enjoys line dancing, kayaking, karaoke nights, and camping. taken in University of Arkansas by @speirsquad

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4 months ago

MEET THE TEAM | Walker Ferguson is a senior at the University of Arkansas majoring in Environmental, Soil, & Water Science. His project will focus on analyzing hotspots and hot moments of sediment loss from unpaved roads in the Brush Creek watershed, looking where to prioritize best management practices on unpaved roads to effectively protect downstream water quality. In his free time he loves to fish, golf, hike, and spend time with friends. His favorite river is the Buffalo River where he spent a lot of time as a kid.

#SpeirSquad taken in University of Arkansas by @speirsquad

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4 months ago

The #SpeirSquad is representing at the @freshwater_science annual meeting in Spokane, WA this week!

Come check out all 6 of our talks, ranging from agricultural impacts on water quality, to intermittency effects on N & P propagation, and urban stream restoration.

*** IMPORTANT UPDATE*** Karessa's talk is at 2 PM (not 10:45 AM)!!!

We've got 4 on Tuesday, 1 Wednesday, and 1 Thursday! Special shout out to Auldyn and Kira who will be sharing their undergrad honors research!

See you there! #SFS2026 #WomenInSTEM taken in Spokane, Washington by @speirsquad

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5 months ago

The #SpeirSquad has had a lot to celebrate since March!!

Mahima passed her thesis proposal defense in March 👩🏻‍🏫

Karessa defended her thesis in April and graduated last weekend 🎓

Auldyn and Kira presented their undergrad honors research 📊 Kira won second place in the @bumperscollege poster symposium!

We also had Brody, Kaitlin F., Kaitlin A., and Kennedy graduate ⭐ We will miss this undergrad crew!

And the whole squad had an end of semester taco party to celebrate all our accomplishments this semester! 🌮

We are gearing up for #SFS2026 in Spokane and can't wait for the summer field season! taken in University of Arkansas by @speirsquad

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5 months ago

🌱 The Speir Lab at Arkansas is hiring a Project Manager to join an EPA-funded project exploring biochar-amended poultry litter as a solution to reduce nutrient runoff in the Brush Creek watershed.

📍 Fayetteville, AR (with fieldwork across the state)
💼 Full-time
📅 1-year appointment with potential for renewal up to 2 additional years based on performance

You'll play a central role in project coordination, stakeholder communications, field sampling, water quality monitoring, and reporting, working alongside researchers, farmers, and conservation partners.

✅ Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Biology, or related field
• Strong organizational, communication & data management skills
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying conditions
• Valid driver's license

A Master's degree and experience with water quality monitoring, EPA procedures, or agricultural research are a plus!

📩 To apply, submit your cover letter, CV/resume, and three professional references via Workday. Review of applications begins immediately. Interviews will occur on a rolling basis!

Please note due to granting agency requirements, this opportunity is only available to current US citizens.

Link to application: https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UAF_External_Career_Site/job/Fayetteville/Program-Technician_R0084716 taken in University of Arkansas by @speirsquad

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6 months ago

A huge congrats to #SpeirSquad MS student, Nellie Little, who successfully passed her thesis proposal defense last week! Nellie is studying N2O emissions from tailwater recovery systems in Eastern Arkansas 🫧 taken in University of Arkansas by @speirsquad

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7 months ago

MEET THE TEAM | Madi Stiles is a sophomore at the University of Arkansas majoring in Environmental, Soil, & Water Science and pursuing minors in Biology and Chemistry. She'll be working on her honors thesis with the #SpeirSquad. Madi's thesis explore the water quality impacts of converting pasturelands to suburban development in Prairie Grove, AR. She will be focusing on patterns in nutrient concentrations, as well as dissolved gases.

When not studying or working, Madi loves to spend time reading, thrifting, or spending time with friends. Her favorite stream is Magness Creek in Cabot, AR that she spent time playing in as a kid. taken in University of Arkansas by @speirsquad

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