In October, her work earned her the prestigious O.E. Meinzer Award from the Geological Society of America. The honor highlighted her seminal papers on cold region hydrogeology, which drove interest in the threats of increased permafrost thaw, a side effect of the Earth’s changing climate.
“A central theme of my research is understanding how groundwater systems respond to climate variability and landscape perturbations, such as permafrost thaw and wildfire,” she said. Walvoord’s work has taken her from the frigid Alaskan Yukon to the arid deserts of the southwestern United States. After graduating from Hamilton, she even worked with the winding Nile and Congo rivers throughout Africa.
“Ideally, hydrologic research underpins informed decisions and policies about water resources and the systems that depend on them. Just as critical as the science itself is communicating these findings in ways that make them usable and accessible.”
Walvoord’s courses with Professor of Geosciences Emeritus Todd Rayne engendered her interest in groundwater, which then propagated during her senior thesis project working alongside Michael Lane ’65 on groundwater contamination at an EPA Superfund site.
“One of the most memorable moments was presenting my findings to concerned citizens at a town hall meeting in Lincklaen [N.Y.], a glimpse of the real-world impact of scientific research,” she said.
Walvoord’s work has been referenced by national and international governing bodies, shaping environmental policies and responses. “Ideally, hydrologic research underpins informed decisions and policies about water resources and the systems that depend on them,” she said. “Just as critical as the science itself is communicating these findings in ways that make them usable and accessible.”
Posted March 23, 2026
