Photo caption: DWFI Supported Students gathered with Faculty Fellows, staff and other partners at the annual DWFI Fall Welcome Event at the International Quilt Museum to celebrate the start of the academic year and learn more about the institute. (Credit: David Munyaneza | DWFI)
DWFI welcomed its 2026–27 cohort of supported students, along with its Faculty Fellows and staff at an annual Fall Welcome event on September 23 at the International Quilt Museum. The event served as an introduction to the institute and a celebration of the start of a new academic year dedicated to improving global water and food security through research and innovation.
Orientation and insights for new student cohort
Designed to explore how attendees can work together, the event featured institute showcases, photo sessions and presentations on DWFI’s vision and communications strategies.
Students heard from:
- Joe Sanders, DWFI Executive Director, who welcomed attendees and spoke on working to ensure a water and food secure world
- Christopher Neale, DWFI Director of Research, who shared how DWFI-supported research is making an impact in Nebraska and around the world
- Frances Hayes, DWFI Director of Communications and Public Relations, who shared insights on communicating research effectively and DWFI resources available to students
Attendees also participated in a showcase where they engaged with various institute teams across its three focus areas—Water Management for High Productivity Commercial Agriculture; Smallholder Agricultural Water Management; and Environmental and Human Health in Agricultural Systems—as well as other teams including communications and public relations, the Nebraska Water Center and the Water Sciences Laboratory. Supported students, Faculty Fellows and staff also had individual headshots taken and convened for a group photo.
Supporting research across disciplines
Supported students work with DWFI Faculty Fellows across a wide range of disciplines including agronomy, natural resources, engineering, biological sciences and agricultural economics. Their research addresses critical issues such as nitrate contamination, groundwater resilience, irrigation innovation, soil health and sustainable crop production.
About the student support program
Since its launch in 2014, DWFI’s Student Support Program has given more than 130 awards to Faculty Fellows across the University of Nebraska system to directly support student researchers. The institute has invested more than $5 million in student research, with most matched one-to-one by faculty.
The program provides stipends to postdoctoral, graduate and undergraduate students whose work contributes to the institute’s mission of ensuring greater food security with less pressure on water resources. Many program alumni have gone on to leadership roles in academia, industry and international development.
Looking ahead
DWFI looks forward to working with this year’s student cohort as they advance their research, share their successes and contribute to a more water- and food-secure world.
Learn more about DWFI’s Student Support program.
