Student Spotlight
Adesola Adepoju
Adesola Adepoju is a Graduate Student and Research Assistant at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where she is pursuing her PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Adesola’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Adesola first heard about NWRA from her PhD Advisor, Dr. Krishna Pagilla.
Adesola intends to become more involved with NWRA as a student member, actively attending meetings and annual conferences. At these events, she can learn from professionals and stay informed about current developments in the water resources field. She is also considering presenting her research during conferences or technical sessions. Being engaged in these opportunities, Adesola shares, would allow her to contribute while building meaningful professional connections.
At the 2026 NWRA Annual Conference, Adesola had a standout performance receiving the NWRA Northern Nevada Graduate Scholarship and took 1st Place for Graduate Students in the Student Poster Competition. She shares that she is very grateful for the recognition and for NWRA’s support of graduate students pursuing academic and professional growth in the water resources field. Congratulations, Adesola. We recall your poster presentation and look forward to getting to know you and hope to see you at another NWRA event soon!
Adesola shares that NWRA can greatly assist students by organizing career development workshops, technical seminars, and networking events that connect students with professionals from consulting firms, municipal utilities, regulatory agencies, and research institutions. Adesola elaborates that these interactions can provide mentorship, career guidance, internship opportunities, and insight into industry expectations. Such support would help students transition more confidently from academia into the workforce.
Adesola lists valuable ways for students to benefit from membership: attend events, volunteer, network with professionals, apply for scholarships, and participate in technical presentations. Additionally, Adesola advises that networking early can open doors to internships, research collaborations, and future employment and that students should view NWRA as a platform for both professional development and long-term growth.
For NWRA and the Board of Trustees, Adesola mentions that increased publicity and communication about available opportunities would help students stay informed and engaged. She encourages the Board to continue expanding student-focused initiatives. She suggests creating a dedicated student division within NWRA would provide stronger representation and encourage greater student participation. Mentorship programs, internship partnerships, and leadership opportunities would also help prepare students to become the next generation of professionals in the field.
Thank you for this advice and perspective, Adesola! We look forward to growing with you over the next year and beyond. All the luck to you with your remaining academic pursuits and launching the next phase of your career!
