By Scout Nelson
The 2025 South Dakota Student Water Conference at South Dakota State University encouraged young scientists and researchers to explore careers in water science and resource management.
The event, hosted by the South Dakota Water Resources Institute in partnership with the SDSU Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, drew students, faculty, and industry professionals from across the United States.
Held at the University Student Union, the conference gave students a platform to present their research, improve communication skills, and network with professionals working in water-related industries. Participants also gained valuable insights into career and graduate study opportunities.
Among the presenters was Priyamvada Thorakkattu, a Ph.D. student in the SDSU Department of Dairy and Food Science, who showcased her research with a poster titled “Unlocking the Sustainability Protentional of Cow Water in Dairy Processing.”
“This was my first time doing the poster presentation, and I had a really good experience,” Shrestha said. “I got to connect with other people during the conference, talk to them, get to know them. We (student attendees) also got some tips on how to find a job and how to proceed in our professional lives after we complete our degrees.”
The full-day event, from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., concluded with the Alan R. Bender Memorial Lecture in Water and Climate Resilience, delivered by Dr. Margaret W. Gitau of Purdue University. Her keynote, “The Future of Our Freshwater: Tackling Water-Quality Impairments at the Root,” explored data-driven solutions for improving global water quality.
Organizers plan to expand the conference’s reach, continuing to empower students and strengthen research in water science through the South Dakota Water Resources Institute, which leads the state’s water education and research initiatives.
Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university
Categories: South Dakota, Education, Sustainable Agriculture