When Sierra Snowden was a high school student in Floydada, Texas, she participated in a 4-H water program that changed the trajectory of her life. After learning about all the different types of water throughout the state, Snowden knew she wanted to study water resources as a civil engineering student in college. During the summer following her first year at Rose-Hulman, Snowden began a water-focused research project that has already led to conference presentations within the last year. And she’s just getting started.

Snowden’s early interest in science and engineering led her to attend Operation Catapult, after which she decided that Rose-Hulman was her college of choice. Her foray into water research began in summer 2025 when she worked through Rose’s summer undergraduate research program (R-SURF) with Namita Shrestha, PhD, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering. Snowden began researching stormwater management and green infrastructure; specifically, how to manage stormwater within the natural world such as parks and green spaces. 

She toured 10 Vigo County parks and took water samples from ponds and rivers from four parks before and after rain events to compare findings. After looking at the differences, she brainstormed ways to improve the green infrastructure in the parks. For example, in areas where rainwater pooled, a bioswale or rain garden could be constructed because rain gardens have deeper-rooted native plants in the middle to help water infiltrate into grounds faster.

These are important findings and solutions for the preservation of the parks, especially in older cities like Terre Haute and Indianapolis that have a combined sewer system. When heavy rain occurs, that water goes into the sewer system, which can then overflow and lead to dangerous E. coli spikes in water. The end goal of Snowden’s research is to take these findings and recommendations to city engineers, with the goal of enhancing and raising awareness of how parks can be used as a stormwater management resource. 

Snowden continued to work on this project during the winter and spring quarters of her sophomore year through Independent Project/Research Opportunities Program (IP/ROP) funding. She has come to realize how much she enjoys conducting research that actively makes a difference in the world.

“I realized how big of a difference I can make in the quality of people’s daily lives,” she said. “If you live in an area that floods all the time, adding stormwater-focused infrastructure can help prevent flooding and decrease the worry of health and safety issues.”

Snowden’s project, entitled “Enhancing Urban Stormwater Management through Green Infrastructure” has resulted in presentations at three conferences. The research was first presented at the 9th International Electronic Conferences of Water Sciences in November 2025. In March, she presented at the Indiana Academy of Sciences, and the Indiana American Water Work Association (AWWA) conference, where she won the poster presentation. As a result, Snowden will present this summer at the National AWWA Conference in Washington, D.C. She also attended the Illinois Association for Floodplain and Stormwater Management (IAFSM) Conference.

Snowden will continue to work on the research project throughout her next two years at Rose and under the mentorship of Shrestha.   

“I can confidently say she is an excellent and highly capable researcher,” said Shrestha. “She is well organized and demonstrates strong initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a thoughtful approach to problem-solving. Sierra is diligent in the research process and shows a genuine commitment to understanding the underlying science. She is dependable, motivated, and contributes meaningfully to the projects she is involved in.” 

Snowden credits Rose-Hulman with giving her these valuable research opportunities as a first-year student. While graduation is still a few years away, she hopes to have a career that will allow her to continue research and working in the avenue of storm water management treatment with the focus on parks and greenspaces.