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Water for Food brings together world-class, multidisciplinary expertise with 136 total Faculty Fellows across all four campuses at the University of Nebraska.
Faculty Fellows contribute to the DWFI’s research, scholarship, engagement and education programs and expand the institute’s work at home and around the world. Their research focuses on various interlinked aspects of food and water security, such as agricultural science, hydrology and water management, climate science, economics, engineering and technology, environmental science, public health, political science, law, sociology and anthropology, education and communication, data science and information, business and entrepreneurship, and natural resource management.
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Eight new Faculty Fellows were added in FY2025:
[4 by 2 component from NSRI people]
● Jill Motschenbacher, Soil Conservation Scientist, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Dr. Jill Motschenbacher is a soil scientist whose interdisciplinary expertise spans soil physics, agroecology, sustainable cropping systems, biosystems and electrical engineering, international agriculture, agricultural economics, and higher education leadership. Her research takes a whole-systems approach to agricultural production—from inputs to outputs—to identify ecological, physical, and social barriers that limit productivity and sustainability. She has led projects in the U.S., Africa, Asia, and Latin America, working with farmers, industry, and policy stakeholders to improve soil health, water use efficiency, and climate resilience. At DWFI, she collaborates across disciplines to develop practical, scalable solutions that strengthen food systems and promote long-term resource stewardship.
● Jeff Westrop, Assistant Geoscientist, School of Natural Resources, Conservation and Survey Division, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Dr. Jeff Westrop focuses his research on the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and trace metals in groundwater to protect water quality. His current USDA-funded project develops geophysical methods to predict groundwater nitrate concentrations, with the potential to improve monitoring and management practices. As part of the Water Advanced Research and Innovation (WARI) Faculty Fellows program—a collaboration between the Indian Department of Science and Technology and DWFI—he will spend four months in India studying nutrient and trace metal geochemistry in the Ganges River, contributing to global understanding of water quality challenges and solutions.
● Muhammad Zahid, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center
Dr. Muhammad Zahid is a natural products chemist and Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental, Agricultural and Occupational Health at UNMC’s College of Public Health. His expertise includes analyzing agrichemicals in environmental samples and biological fluids using ultraperformance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) and immunological assays, as well as mammalian cell culture to track the fate of chemicals in cells. Over the next year, he will expand his research into the potential role of agrichemicals—including atrazine, nitrate, glyphosate, and PFOS—in the high incidence of pediatric cancer and Parkinson’s disease in Nebraska, focusing on domestic water samples. He also involves students in hands-on environmental sampling and analysis to address critical public health questions.
● Sher Jan Ahmadzai, Director, Center for Afghanistan Studies, University of Nebraska at Omaha
Dr. Sher Jan Ahmadzai is director of the Center for Afghanistan Studies at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has served in various positions at the Office of the President of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. His expertise includes Afghan governance, tribal dynamics, and the intersection of politics, policy, and public services. Ahmadzai has written chapters for a book regarding water resources in Afghanistan and transboundary water issues with Pakistan, and is a regular contributor/commentator on BBC Pashto and Dari programs as well as VOA Pashto and Dari services on various social, political, and current affairs regarding Afghanistan and the U.S.
● Guillermo Balboa, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Dr. Guillermo Balboa specializes in site-specific crop management, crop simulation models, and crop ecophysiology. His research applies agronomic knowledge, soil science, and crop production principles to develop innovations that increase productivity and improve water and nutrient use efficiency for sustainable farming. By integrating field experiments, modeling, and digital agriculture tools, he works with research groups, farmers, industries, and stakeholders to advance solutions from the lab to the field. Guy also continues his work with the Digital Agriculture Weather Network (DAWN), helping producers optimize crop performance through timely, data-driven insights.
● Elizabeth Lewis, Professor, College of Education and Human Sciences, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Dr. Elizabeth Lewis is senior advisor for secondary science education in the Center for Science, Mathematics, and Computer Education, where she devotes time, effort, and resources to meet the professional development needs of Nebraska's secondary science teachers. In 2024, she convened meetings to connect faculty members, community educators, and local STEM organizations to better understand the individual areas of expertise in science literacy, civic action, and connecting formal and informal education spaces at all age levels.
● Christopher Proctor, Associate Extension Educator, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Dr. Christopher Proctor is the director of the Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program for Nebraska. Through the program, he works with farmers and ag professionals to help improve their irrigation management on Nebraska row crops. The program focuses on improving water and nutrient use efficiency as well as overall profitability, hosting programs and field days to highlight different aspects of TAPS. He also has projects evaluating the use of interseeded cover crops in corn production to help limit nitrogen loss to groundwater.
● Brandon Weihs, Adjunct Professor, Department of Geography/Geology, and Adjunct Professor, Center for Afghanistan Studies, University of Nebraska at Omaha; Research Scientist, United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS)
Dr. Brandon Weihs works to improve crops through conventional breeding, with the main goal of making more (quantity/yield) and better (quality/nutrition) food. He currently uses artificial intelligence methods (like machine and deep learning models) to help his team breed better alfalfa plants (phenotyping) with increased water use efficiency and higher stem digestibility through breeding. These efforts will continue to make “designer plants”, tailored to certain environmental conditions or stresses like drought or acidic soils. His research has also led to the development of an AI-driven mobile app used to help farmers determine crop maturity, relative feed value, and other plant traits of their alfalfa in real-time in an effort to help them improve management and maximize returns.
Collectively, DWFI Faculty Fellows have contributed directly to nearly 400 research articles in the areas of food and water security in FY2025. Water for Food leverages this pool of comprehensive research for a holistic approach in addressing the complexities of food and water security to ensure a more secure and sustainable future for all. Two highlights of research by DWFI Faculty Fellows are below.
