The 2025 Alabama Water Resources Conference (ALWRC), held September 3-5 at the Perdido Beach Resort, once again reached full capacity, underscoring its reputation as one of the most impactful water resource forums in the Southeast. Organized by the Auburn University Water Resources Center (AUWRC), in collaboration with the Alabama Section of the American Water Resources Association (AWRA) and a multi-agency planning committee, the conference continues to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and innovation in water research, policy, and management.
Dr. Brenda Ortiz opened the 2025 Symposium with an overview of the use of Artificial Intelligence across different research groups in the Southeast. Photo Credit: Carolina Ruiz, AUWRC
Symposium: Artificial Intelligence in Water Resources
The conference opened with a symposium titled “Artificial Intelligence in Water Resources: From Research to Real-World Use,”. Dr. Brenda Ortiz (Auburn University), Andy Carroll (Skytec), Dr. Maheshwari Neelam (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center), and Dr. Jonathan Frame (The University of Alabama) delivered compelling presentations on how AI is transforming hydrologic modeling, wetland monitoring, and climate resilience planning.
Conference Highlights
Following the annual Seafood Social, attendees participated in two days of concurrent sessions covering topics such as stormwater, restoration, water quality, drought and climate, coastal issues, aquatic ecology, water law and policy, GIS, and the social sciences. Lightning talks, poster sessions, and interactive panels encouraged dynamic exchanges between researchers, industry representatives, state and federal agency partners, and students.
Keynote addresses further anchored the program:
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COL Kelcey R. Shaw, Mobile District Commander, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provided updates on ongoing projects in the Mobile District.
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Katie Butler, Director of the Water Division, Region 4, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, shared priority areas and opportunities for EPA Region 4 in the years ahead.
On Thursday afternoon, 26 students participated in a student poster competition and put their science communication skills to the test. Photo Credit: Kacey Watson, AU College of Agriculture
Student Engagement and Recognition
Student participation remained a cornerstone of the conference. On Thursday afternoon, 26 students showcased their work during the poster competition, while others presented oral and lightning talks. The event offered students valuable opportunities to hone their science communication skills.
Oral Presentations
- 1st Place – Grace Kerr, Auburn University
- 2nd Place – Shaelyn Deal, The University of Alabama in Huntsville
- 3rd Place Tie – Brian Roche, Auburn University
- 3rd Place Tie – Kathryn Perkins, Auburn University
Poster Presenters
- 1st Place – Ashmita Poudel, Auburn University
- 2nd Place – Indronil Sarkar, Auburn University
- 3rd Place – Maryam Saeed, Auburn University
Lightning Talks
- Winner – Rachel Chai, The University of South Alabama
Networking between speaker sessions. Photo Credit: Jessie Curl, AUWRC
Looking Ahead
The 2026 ALWRC will be held from September 9-11 at the Perdido Beach Resort. More information can be found at the Auburn University Water Resources Center webpage (www.aaes.auburn.edu/wrc/) and those interested can subscribe to the AUWRC newsletter for announcements.
The mission of the Auburn University Water Resources Center is to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among Auburn University faculty and staff on water-related research, outreach, and instruction; conduct innovative research to find practical solutions for current and future water issues and empower private citizens to become active stewards of water resources.
