Martha P L Whitaker

Biography

Dr. Whitaker is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Science. She instructs six classes per year, including HWRS 350 "Principles of Hydrology (in person and online); HWRS 498/498H "Senior Capstone"; and two "Careers in Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences" courses - one for undergraduates and another for graduate students. Dr. Whitaker is an undergraduate academic advisor for the HAS-Environmental Hydrology majors in the Department, and is the Director of Graduate Studies for the Hydrology programs. She is currently the lead PI for two UArizona Vertically-Integrated Projects (VIPs) for undergraduate research: Integrated Climate Research: Ecosystems, Water, and Weather (ICREWW); and The Arizona Streamgage Catalog (AZStreamCAT).

Dr. Whitaker earned her Bachelor's degree in geology from Michigan State University, then moved to Arizona to complete her Master's and Ph.D. in Hydrology and Water Resources at UArizona. She worked as an Assistant Research Scientist with the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Science Steering Group (SSG), and did a postdoc as a Soil Moisture Research Scientist with the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Soil Moisture Campaign. She is a nationally-recognized undergraduate academic advisor (National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Outstanding New Faculty Advisor, 2010) and is the recipient of several University, College of Science, and Departmental Awards for her excellence in advising and commitment to student advocacy and success. 

Degrees

• Graduate Certificate Women's Studies
• The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States
• N/A
• Ph.D. Hydrology and Water Resources
• The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States
• Estimating bank storage and evapotranspiration using soil physical and hydrological techniques in a gaining reach of the San Pedro River, Arizona
• M.S. Hydrology and Water Resources
• The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States
• Small-scale spatial variability of soil moisture and hydraulic conductivity in a semi-arid rangeland soil in Arizona
• B.S. Geological Sciences
• Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, United States
• N/A

Awards

• The University of Arizona CURE fellowship
• UArizona Office of Societal Impact, Research, Innovation, and Impact (RII), Fall 2023
• Biosphere2 Faculty Innovative Teaching Fellow
• Biosphere 2, Spring 2023
• 21st Century Masters' Faculty Fellow
• UArizona Graduate College, Fall 2021
• Honorary Commander
• US Air Force, Fall 2020
• Advisor Shoutout on @arizonaadvising Instagram page
• UArizona Advising Resource Center (ARC), Summer 2020
• Aqua-Person Award for Excellence at the Student Interface
• UA Department of Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences, Spring 2018
• UA Department of Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences, Spring 2016
• CoS Distinguished Advising Award
• The University of Arizona's College of Science, Fall 2017
• Inducted into The Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• The Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, University of Arizona Chapter, Spring 2017
• Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, Finalist
• UA Advising Resource Center, Spring 2016 (Award Finalist)
• Aqua-person Award for Excellence at the Student Interface
• Department of Hydrology & Water Resources, with votes tallied from undergraduate EHY students, Spring 2015
• Department of Hydrology & Water Resources, with votes tallied from undergraduate EHY students, Spring 2014
• College of Science 2013 Excellence Award
• UA College of Science, Spring 2013
• Outstanding Faculty Advisor
• University of Arizona Program for Excellence in Academic Advising, Spring 2013 (Award Finalist)
• Outstanding New Faculty Advisor
• National Academic Advising Association, Fall 2010
• Distinguished Advising Award
• UA College of Science, Spring 2010
• Excellence in Academic Advising Faculty Advisor Award
• The University of Arizona Program for Excellence in Academic Advising, Spring 2010