Ellie Risher (Civil Engineering)
Ellie Risher is an undergraduate student at Florida International University (FIU), pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. She is expected to graduate in Spring 2025 and plans to continue her education with a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering. Her professional interests include sustainability, groundwater and surface water modeling, environmental remediation, and environmental cleanup.
As a DOE Fellow, Ellie works under the mentorship of Dr. Hazenberg. Her research combines fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and advanced modeling using the Advanced Terrestrial Simulator (ATS) to study surface and subsurface hydrological interactions in Southeastern New Mexico, specifically, the Nash Draw region adjacent to the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP). Incorporating a comprehensive understanding of surface and subsurface hydrological interactions into ATS enables accurate simulation of future scenarios, including predicted weather extremes. This research is critical for assessing the potential risks of increased groundwater flow, which can transport low-level radioactive waste into the surrounding environment. She is enthusiastic about further developing her knowledge and experience in this area of research to address this environmental concern.
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