The Decision Center for a Desert City (DCDC) undergraduate internship program bridges the world of scientific research and water management by placing students within agencies to carry out their own unique projects. While spanning the spheres of science and policy, students conduct use-inspired research that meet academic standards of professors as well as the practical needs of decision makers. Through the program, students learn about the concepts and practical aspects of boundary research — a term emphasizing linkages between research-based knowledge and decision-making needs. A list of internship hosts and project outcomes (i.e., research posters) are provided below.
DCDC’s one-semester internship program is available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Student interns in this program receive a stipend and are, in turn, expected to:
- work 10 hours per week on a project that their internship mentor has identified as relevant to their agency
- develop an original research project that is inspired by insights that the students gain in their internship project, thus linking “science” and “practice”
- participate in a weekly 3-credit hour class to learn how to design and implement an original research project while also building skills in data analysis, visual design, and written and oral communication
- ensure academic rigor by teaming-up with faculty and receiving advice from professors and peers on individual research projects
- present a poster highlighting research results and practical implications at DCDC’s culminating end-of-the-year annual poster session
DCDC offers the ISPI internship program each spring semester (January-May) in collaboration with Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability and Barrett, the Honors College. Research projects are tailored to the needs of the agency two months prior to the start of the internship. Student may receive internship credit through units including Sustainability, Geography, and Planning.
Agency hosts are encouraged to submit requests to set up an internship position. Both the agency host and DCDC staff are involved in interviewing and selecting students that best fit internship positions.
2020
- Jacob Pretzman, City of Phoenix Undergraduate Research Fellow
- Tola Paulo, City of Phoenix Undergraduate Research Fellow
Tola analyzed landscape change through spatial analysis and imagery, using Trimble eCognition software, an image analysis software being utilized to identify grass, trees, and shrubs to calculate and forecast water demand across the city and GIS, to classify Metro Phoenix Area landscapes using a defined water intensity rule set, compile classified landscape data into JMP as a database, and finally create an eCognition file, shapefile, and translate to a database in JMP of water intensity classified landscapes for designated areas within Metro Phoenix. Tola was unable to complete the project due to the COVID-19 pandemic requiring City of Phoenix Water Services staff to work remotely.
Jacob read through a variety of permits and annual reports, both for the City and for any water facilities within the Phoenix AMA in order to determine which facilities Phoenix could potentially store water at that they are not currently.
2019
Fostering Social Cohesion for Addressing Urban Heat in Greater Phoenix
- Internship Fellow: Jarod Chernak, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Maggie Messerschmidt, The Nature Conservancy
- ASU Mentor: Riley Andrade, DCDC Graduate Student
Analysis of Water Demand Management Options in Tempe
- Internship Fellow: Nicholas Johnson, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Gretchen Baumgardner, City of Tempe Water Services Department
- ASU Mentor: Veronica Horvath, DCDC Graduate Student
The Impact of Socio-Economic Indicators on Turf Rebates in the City of Scottsdale
- Internship Fellow: Elyse Kats, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Jill Brumand, City of Scottsdale
- ASU Mentor: David Sampson, Decision Center for a Desert City
How to Better Engage Farmers Along the Lower Gila River
- Internship Fellow: Kevin Lane, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Haley Paul, Audubon Arizona
- ASU Mentor: Riley Andrade, DCDC Graduate Student
Stormwater Collection in Maricopa County
- Internship Fellow: Tyler Micek, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Harry Cooper, Flood Control District of Maricopa County
- ASU Mentor: Zhaocheng Wang, DCDC Graduate Student
Water Management Awareness
- Internship Fellow: Tola Paulo, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Melissa Bomar, City of Tempe Water Services
- ASU Mentor: Josephine Godwyll, DCDC Graduate Student
Water/Ways Program Evaluation
- Internship Fellow: Bailey Reynolds, Conservation Biology poster
- Internship Provider: Brenda Thomson, Arizona Humanities
- ASU Mentor: Ray Quay, Decision Center for a Desert City
Introducing Water to High School Students
- Internship Fellow: Andres Valiente-Marin, School of Gographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Ray Diaz, City of Goodyear Water Services Department
- ASU Mentor: Leah Jones, DCDC Graduate Student
2018
Effectiveness of Water Conservation within Tempe’s HOA/NA Grant Program
- Internship Fellow: Sierra Apillanes, School of Earth and Space Exploration poster
- Internship Provider: Melissa Bomar, City of Tempe Water Resources
- ASU Mentors: Christine DeMyers and Zhaocheng Wang, DCDC Graduate Students
Analyzing Current and Future Residential Water Use in Goodyear, Arizona
- Internship Fellow: Sarah Collins, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Gretchen Erwin, City of Goodyear Public Works Department
- ASU Mentor: Leah Jones, DCDC Graduate Student
Community Perceptions of Extreme Heat in Maricopa County
- Internship Fellow: Jessie Davidson, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Maggie Messerschmidt, The Nature Conservancy
- ASU Mentor: Eleanor Rauh, DCDC Graduate Student
Characterizing and Evaluating High Water Use Households in Gilbert
- Internship Fellow: Emily Joiner, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Haley Paul, Gilbert Water Conservation
- ASU Mentor: Veronica Horvath, DCDC Graduate Student
Analysis of Goodyear’s Water Curtailment Plan
- Internship Fellow: Kennedy Shepard, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Ray Diaz, City of Goodyear Public Works
- ASU Mentor: Michael Steptoe, DCDC Graduate Student
Declining Flow in the Upper Verde River
- Internship Fellow: Rachel Shultis, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Sandy Bahr, The Sierra Club
- ASU Mentor: Krista Lawless, DCDC Graduate Student
2017
Water Wise Gilbert Contribution to the Reduction of Commercial Water Consumption
- Internship Fellow: Sydnee Andress, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Haley Paul, Town of Gilbert
- ASU Mentor: Abigail Sullivan, DCDC
Water for the Future: Strategies on Conservation
- Internship Fellow: Martin Carvajal, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment poster
- Internship Provider: Darren Sversvold, City of Phoenix
- ASU Mentor: Ray Quay, DCDC
Summer Outdoor Water Use for Single Residence Homes in Tempe, Arizona
- Internship Fellow: Ernest Chakwera, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Richard Bond, City of Tempe
- ASU Mentor: Danielle Chipman, DCDC and the School of Sustainability
The Effects of Third Party Landscapers on Residential Water Consumption in Tempe
- Internship Fellow: Jessica Davidson, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Richard Bond, City of Tempe
- ASU Mentor: Danielle Chipman, DCDC and the School of Sustainability
The Impact of Urbanization on Goodyear’s Local Water Supply
- Internship Fellow: Michael Jacobson, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Gretchen Erwin, City of Goodyear Public Works/Water Resources
- ASU Mentor: Ruby Upreti, DCDC and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Best Suited Low Impact Development Features for the City of Phoenix Landscape
- Internship Fellow: Danielle Jordan, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Maggie Messerschmidt, The Nature Conservancy
- ASU Mentor: Christine DeMyers, DCDC and School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Community Benefits of Native Tall-Pot Trees At Sonoqui IIIA in Queen Creek, AZ
- Internship Fellow: Miranda Kincade, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Kaylee Colter, Flood Control District of Maricopa County
- ASU Mentor: David Sampson, DCDC
Estimation Techniques for Industrial Water Use, in Arizona
- Internship Fellow: Tanner Leavitt, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Jeff Tannler, Arizona Department of Water Resources
- ASU Mentor: Ted Bohn, DCDC
Water Availability Analysis for GI Implementation
- Internship Fellow: Aditya Parikh, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Harry Cooper, Flood Control District of Maricopa County
- ASU Mentor: Michael Steptoe, DCDC and School of Computing, Informatics, and Decision Systems Engineering
Greener Years for Goodyear: Urban Heat Island Mitigation
- Internship Fellow: Marshall Styers, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Mark Holmes, City of Goodyear
- ASU Mentor: Brandon Ruiz, DCDC and School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Shock and Neglect: Landscape Dynamics in Post-Recession Phoenix
- Internship Fellow: Margaret Tucker, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Darren Sversvold and Krystal Drysdale, City of Phoenix Water Services
- ASU Mentor: Leah Jones, DCDC and School of Sustainability
Exploring Water Exchanges in Central Arizona
- Internship Fellow: Makenna Welsch, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Christopher Kuzdas, Environmental Defense Fund
- ASU Mentor: Krista Lawless, School for the Future of Innovation in Society
2016
The Future of Goodyear’s Water Production
- Internship Fellow: Mario Chavez, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Gretchen Erwin, City of Goodyear
- ASU Mentor: David Sampson, DCDC
GIS Prioritization of Neighborhoods for Green Infrastructure Projects in Phoenix, AZ
- Internship Fellow: Bridget Harding, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Maggie Messerschmidt, The Nature Conservancy
- ASU Mentor: Rhian Stotts, DCDC and School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Water Conservation Evaluation Criteria for Flood Control Infrastructure
- Internship Fellow: Ben Irwin, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Harry Cooper, Flood Control District of Maricopa County
- ASU Mentor: Giuseppe Mascaro, DCDC and ASU Global Security Initiatives
Increasing Tempe’s Rebate Policy to Remove Commercial Grass Strips
- Internship Fellow: Irfan Jeddy, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Richard Bond, City of Tempe
- ASU Mentor: Charlotte Till, DCDC and School of Human Evolution and Social Change
The Effect of Apartment Landscapes on Water Consumption
- Internship Fellow: Liliana Jimenez, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Peter Smith and Richard Bond, City of Tempe
- ASU Mentor: Yujia Zhang, DCDC and School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Commercial Water Consumption in Phoenix Active Management Area Municipalities
- Internship Fellow: Caleb Schrank, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Pam Muse, Arizona Department of Water Resources
- ASU Mentor: Thuy Nguyen, DCDC and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Let Nature Irrigate
- Internship Fellow: Evan Siegel, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Haley Paul, Town of Gilbert
- ASU Mentor: Ruby Upreti, DCDC and School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
All Recovery, No Recharge: The Geographic Mismatch of the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Program
- Internship Fellow: Steven Stuart, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Pam Muse, Arizona Department of Water Resources
- ASU Mentor: Ray Quay, DCDC
2015
The Effect of Plant Composition on Water Use
- Internship Fellow: Jessica Hoffmann, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Darren Sversvold, City of Phoenix
- Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Wentz, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Landscape Variation within Arcadia Neighborhood: Contrasting Older and Newer Home Developments
- Internship Fellow: Enrique Bojórquez, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Darren Sversvold, City of Phoenix
- Faculty Mentor: Jason Kelley, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Understanding the Effects of Low Impact Development on the Energy Balance Within A Microclimate
- Internship Fellow: Rachel Burnett, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Monica Rabb, City of Glendale
- Faculty Mentor: Paul Westerhoff, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Connecting Community Values with Climate Change Adaptation Through a School Greening Project
- Internship Fellow: Brandon Ruiz, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Summer Waters, Sonoran Institute
- Faculty Mentor: Sharon Harlan, School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Factors Affecting Water Use in Sparse Landscapes
- Internship Fellow: Joseline Castañeda, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Darren Sversvold, City of Phoenix
- Faculty Mentor: Ray Quay, Decision Center for a Desert City
Cost of Overseeding For a Single Family Home
- Internship Fellow: Ashley Arens, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Richard Bond, City of Tempe
- Faculty Mentor: Marcia Nation, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability
Benefits of H/E Low-Flow Toilets
- Internship Fellow: Evan Fairweather, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Richard Bond, City of Tempe
- Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Mack, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
Effects of Public Outreach Best Management Practices on High Water Use
- Internship Fellow: Dylan Morse, School of Integrated Studies, Political Science poster
- Internship Provider: Ruth Greenhouse, Arizona Department of Water Resources
- Faculty Mentor: Erik Johnston, School of Public Affairs
Landslide Hazards in Metropolitan Phoenix
- Internship Fellow: Ryan Cleary, Geology Sciences poster
- Internship Provider: Brian Gootee, Arizona Geological Survey
- Faculty Mentor: Ron Dorn, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning
How can flood effects be best mitigated in the Southwest?
- Internship Fellow: Michaela Jones, School of Sustainability and Barrett, The Honors College poster
- Internship Provider: Summer Waters, Sonoran Institute
- Faculty Mentor: Jose Lobo, School of Human Evolution and Social Change
Local Rainfall Events and Outdoor Water Use in Gilbert
- Internship Fellow: Natalie Melkonoff, School of Sustainability and Barrett, The Honors College poster
- Internship Provider: Eric Braun, Town of Gilbert
- Faculty Mentor: Enrique Vivoni, School of Earth and Space Exploration
Price Elasticity for Residential Water Demand in the City of Goodyear
- Internship Fellow: Jeffrey Iles, Political Science and Public Health poster
- Internship Provider: Mark Holmes, City of Goodyear
- Faculty Mentor: Rimjhim Aggarwal, School of Sustainability
Effectiveness of “Fix-A-Leak-Week 2015” Direct Incentive Campaign on Residential Water Conservation Behavior in Goodyear Arizona
- Internship Fellow: Allan Karim, Interdisciplinary Sciences, Sustainability and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Mark Holmes, City of Goodyear
- Faculty Mentor: Dave White, Decision Center for a Desert City
2014
Range of Vegetation Preferences in Historic Goodyear
- Internship Fellow: Matthew Boylan, Herberger Institute poster
- Internship Provider: Mark Holmes, City of Goodyear
- Faculty Mentor: Ted Cook, The Design School
The Role of Legislators in Determining the Management of Arizona’s Water
- Internship Fellow: Olivia Brancati, Barrett, The Honors College poster
- Internship Provider: Jeffrey Kros, Arizona Municipal Water Users Association
- Faculty Mentor: Erik Johnston, School of Public Affairs
Compare to Conserve: Residential Smart-Metering
- Internship Fellow: Jon Brandau, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Mark Holmes, City of Goodyear
- Faculty Mentor: Dave White, Decision Center for a Desert City
How is waste in the Salt River changing people’s perception?
- Internship Fellow: William Carothers, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Cathy Wise, Audubon Arizona
- Faculty Mentor: Dan Childers, School of Sustainability
A Current State Analysis of the Water Consumption Impact for Large Residential and Commercial Structures within the City of Tempe
- Internship Fellow: Maximilian Christman, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Richard Bond, City of Tempe
- Faculty Mentor: Kelli Larson, School of Sustainability
How Master Watershed Stewards Impact Their Community
- Internship Fellow: Kiera Daley, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning poster
- Internship Provider: Summer Waters, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Staff Mentor: Monica Elser, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability
Watering Cost of Turf & Non-Turf Yards
- Internship Fellow: Jessica Jia, Barrett, The Honors College poster
- Internship Provider: Richard Bond, City of Tempe
- Faculty Mentor: Elizabeth Wentz, School of Geographical Sciences & Urban Planning
How much of the City of Goodyear is covered by trees?
- Internship Fellow: Michaela Jones, Barrett, The Honors College poster
- Internship Provider: Mark Holmes, City of Goodyear
- Faculty Mentor: Charles Redman, School of Sustainability
Impacts of Foreclosure on Single Family Residential Landscapes
- Internship Fellow: Ryan Stephenson, School of Sustainability poster
- Internship Provider: Darren Sversvold, City of Phoenix
- Faculty Mentor: Billie Turner, School of Sustainability
Calculating Gallons of Water Saved by Implementing Outdoor Low-Water Use Practices in Maricopa County
- Internship Fellow: Amy Umaretiya, Environmental Engineering and Political Science poster
- Internship Provider: Summer Waters, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Faculty Mentor: Ray Quay, Decision Center for a Desert City
2013
Residential Landscaping Decisions and Water Usage in the City of Phoenix
- Emily Allen, ISPI Intern with the City of Phoenix poster
- Doug Frost, Mentor, City of Phoenix
- Elizabeth Wentz, ASU Faculty Mentor
Analysis of Water Consumption Trends in the City of Goodyear
- Christopher Berg, ISPI Intern with the City of Goodyear poster
- Mark Holmes, Mentor, City of Goodyear
- Ray Quay, ASU Faculty Mentor
Implementation of Low Impact Development Paving Strategies in Central Arizona
- Erin Brechbiel, ISPI Intern with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension poster
- Summer Waters, Mentor, U of A Cooperative Extension
- Abigail York, ASU Faculty Mentor
Potential Attributes of Water Use Variation in Mixed Use Residential Landscapes
- Joseph Hennessy, ISPI Intern with the City of Phoenix poster
- Douglas Frost and Adam Miller, Mentors, City of Phoenix
- Dave White, ASU Faculty Mentor
Modeling Well Specific Pumping at the Provider Level
- Taylor Ketchum, ISPI Intern with Arizona Department of Water Resources poster
- Dale Mason and Frank Corkhill, Mentors, Arizona Department of Water Resources
- David Sampson, ASU Faculty Mentor
Criteria-Based Risk Assessment for Sustainable Water Quality in Municipal Wells
- Samantha Kohlwey, ISPI Intern with the City of Mesa poster
- Brian Draper and Colette Moore, Mentors, City of Mesa
- Ray Quay, ASU Faculty Mentor
Complexities of Analyzing the Water/Energy Nexus in Small Hillside Water Distribution Systems
- Winnie (Ching Yan) Lau, ISPI Intern with the City of Phoenix poster
- Andy Terrey, Mentor, City of Phoenix
- Benjamin Ruddell, ASU Faculty Mentor
Effective Engagements at the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
- Martin Montes de Oca, ISPI Intern with the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension poster
- Summer Waters, Mentor, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Monica Elser, ASU Faculty Mentor
Effectiveness of the Modified Field Trip Curriculum: Teaching the Importance of Good Conservation Habits
- Andrew Wittig, ISPI Intern with Audubon Arizona poster
- Lyana Guevara, Mentor, Audubon Arizona
- Joni Adamson and Monica Elser, ASU Faculty Mentors
2012
How Do We Catalyze Adaptive and Innovative Practices in Public Regulatory Agencies?
- McKenzie Ragan, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- Michael J. Lacey, Internship Provider, Arizona Department of Water Resources
- Dave D. White, Faculty Mentor, Decision Center for a Desert City
How Scenario Planning Will Benefit Scottsdale Water Resources’ Master Planning Process
- Ariel Pepper, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- Beth Miller, Internship Provider, City of Scottsdale
- Ray Quay, Faculty Mentor, Decision Center for a Desert City
Prevalent Perceptions of Water Use in Arizona
- Colin Russell, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- Mark Holmes, Internship Provider, City of Mesa
- Erik Johnston, Faculty Mentor, School of Public Affairs
What Factors Motivated the Creation of the Colorado and Kansas Water Congresses?
- Kena Fedorschak, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- Mark Holmes, Internship Provider, City of Mesa
- Erik Johnston, Faculty Mentor, School of Public Affairs
The Relationship between Restaurants and Sustainability: Marketing the Tempe FOG Program
- Michael Nicastro, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- David McNeil, Internship Provider, City of Tempe
- George Basile, Faculty Mentor, School of Sustainability
Smartscape: Using Education as a Tool for Reducing Water in Desert Landscapes
- Michael Alan Babcock, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- Summer Waters and Haley Paul, Internship Provider, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension
- Kelli Larson, Faculty Mentor, School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning and the School of Sustainability
2011
Our inaugural cohort of seven ISPI fellows came to us from a variety of academic programs.
Interstate Policies Impact Replenishment of Stream Flow with Effluent
- Cherish Connolly, Internship Fellow, School of Life Sciences poster
- Robert Marshall, Internship Provider, The Nature Conservancy
Cost Assessment of Groundwater Replenishment Obligations for the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District
- Alexandria Detrio, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- Bruce Hallin, Internship Provider, Salt River Project (SRP)
Measuring Participant Retention of Water Festival Informational Content
- Jeffrey Jennings, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- Nancy Crocker, Internship Provider, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Center
Reclaimed Water and the Role it plays in Mitigation of Surface/Ground Water Depletion.
- Max Krzyzewski, Internship Fellow, Biology and Society poster
- Charles Graf, R.G., Internship Provider, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Climate Change and the Colorado River: Future Allotment Plans for Arizona
- Courtney Lewis, Internship Fellow, School of Sustainability poster
- Tom Buschatzke, Internship Provider, City of Phoenix
Uncovering Barriers and Motivations in Groundwater Management Collaboration and GIS-Based Delineation of Prime Groundwater Recharge Areas in the East Salt River Sub-basin