University of Arkansas Biological Engineering Seniors Make Waves in Water Resources
At the Arkansas Water Resources Center (AWRC), located at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, we proudly support the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. This year, four exceptional seniors—John Sheely, Madison Leckbee, Maria Vergara Murillo, and Janai Dominguez Gonzalez—are poised to leave a lasting mark on the water resources field. Through hands-on projects and dedicated mentorship, these students have honed their skills and secured promising careers.
Below is an overview of their inspiring journeys, with their full stories published on the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department’s website leading up to their graduation on May 10. Visit the department’s website here to read their complete profiles.
John Sheely credits the real-world experience he received from his internship and courses in the department for sharpening his expertise and helping him secure a job before commencement. In his internship, he worked with Associate Professor Becca Muenich, tackling real-world projects like using ArcGIS Pro to show that northwest Arkansas needed better stormwater infrastructure, applying the problem-solving skills from his classes. Impressed by his expertise, Burns & McDonnell offered Sheely a job during the first semester of his senior year. He will begin working for the engineering firm this July.
Madison Leckbee, a Razorback Twirler and engineering student, blended passion with purpose while at the University to excel in her extracurricular activity and courses. Inspired by her rural Missouri roots, she pursued stream restoration to protect communities, working with her Senior Design team to make Sager Creek in Siloam Springs safer and more accessible. Through the department’s support, Leckbee landed a role as an associate engineer at Olsson and became a national collegiate baton twirling champion. She’s grateful for the encouragement that fueled her success in engineering and twirling.
Maria Vergara Murillo, an international student from Panama, has been driven by a lifelong commitment to protecting the environment. A scholarship brought her to the University, where mentorship from Associate Professor Benjamin Runkle and practical experience in water resources shaped her path. After graduation, she’ll join Mead and Hunt to tackle wastewater treatment challenges. Vergara Murillo cherishes the department’s close-knit community, which helped her thrive far from home.
Janai Dominguez Gonzalez, also from Panama, grew up in a town grappling with summer droughts and resource disputes. Her resolve to address water access issues led her to the University through the same scholarship program as Vergara Murillo. At the University, she learned to approach environmental challenges with an engineer’s precision. After graduating, Dominguez Gonzalez will return to Panama to help her community and inspire local children to study STEM while she pursues advanced certifications.
The AWRC celebrates the Class of 2025 and their remarkable achievements. We’re thrilled to see the transformative impact these seniors will have on water resources and beyond.
Discover more about the AWRC and our supported programs here.
