Dr. Brad Austin Receives RoPE Award
Arkansas Water Resources Center (AWRC) Research Scientist and Lab Manager Brad Austin received the RoPE Award May 31, 2022, for his hard work and dedication as a Non-classified – Research Support staff member of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Agricultural Experiment Station. The RoPE Award is for early-career professionals who have exhibited outstanding performance in the areas of attitude, dedication, initiative, leadership, and service in job-related activities that advance the mission of the Experiment Station and benefit the programs that they represent.
“It was a good surprise” said Brad “This job can be demanding at times, so it’s nice to get recognized for everything I do research wise in the lab and field.”
Dr. Brad Austin has been working with the AWRC since 2014. During this time, Brad has been integral to the functioning of the lab and the AWRC’s field services. Brad also works to communicate AWRC research and the science related to regional water quality concerns. He created eight fact sheets in collaboration with Dr. Brian Haggard and Dr. Mike Daniels that address water quality reporting and data interpretation for the public.
Fact sheets make science easily accessible to a broad range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds, a challenging task, and each one tool took up to four to six months to complete
Brad’s favorite memories made at the AWRC are with the student workers, teaching others in the field and lab, and collaborating with other researchers across campus.
“The interactions with the student workers and graduate students have always been a highlight of my time here” said Brad “I like to teach by working in the lab or [in the] field”
A project Brad enjoyed was at Lake Keith in Cave Springs, AR. He researched with Dr. Brian Haggard why the lake was forming dense mats of algae on the surface of the water.
Brad ensures that the lab works efficiently by putting in extra hours, which includes going into the field during holidays without being asked.
“Dr. Austin always makes sure the water-quality data gets collected no matter the time or environmental conditions” said Dr. Brian Haggard.
When the AWRC became short-staffed due to retirements, Brad continued to keep the lab running by training new lab technicians and graduate students.
“The graduate students have helped tremendously in the last two years. I do not know if I could have done it without them.” said Brad “They’ve picked up quite a bit of laboratory analyses and field work”
Brad is an exceptional mentor to the staff at the AWRC. Brad noted that his biggest inspirations are his mentors, including Dr. Brian Haggard, his Ph.D. advisor Dr. Michelle Evans-White, and Dr. Eric Strauss of University Wisconsin-La Crosse.
Image Caption: Dr. Brad Austin holding the RoPE Award he won for being an excellent employee, image taken by Fred Miller
