"Solution Number Two" Documentary Explores UArizona Wastewater Monitoring for COVID-19 Feb. 1, 2021 A short documentary produced by students in the University of Arizona's School of Theatre, Film & Television follows the COVID-19 wastewater monitoring work of WEST Center faculty and staff. Read more Image
Visiting Professor Spotlight: WEST welcomes Dr. Joan Rose Jan. 30, 2021 Dr. Joan Rose, winner of the Stockholm Water Prize and Professor at Michigan State University, will spend the Spring 2021 semester at WEST Center. Dr. Rose is an international authority on water microbiology, water quality, and public health safety, and is actively engaged in work to advance the monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 variants in wastewater. Read more Image
WEST Center hosts water harvesting/soil health study Jan. 29, 2021 A new study at WEST Center seeks to understand the impact of water harvesting on soil microbiomes and resilience. Read more Image
State Awards $500K for Yuma Wastewater Testing Jan. 14, 2021 Following the proven laboratory procedures of the WEST Center, an innovative partnership in Yuma County will receive $500K to provide early detection of COVID-19 through wastewater testing. Read more Image
$0.5M grant will fund research to improve health and safety at farmers markets Nov. 30, 2020 A USDA-funded 1-year collaborative project will study coronaviruses on contact surfaces at farmers markets, determine safe practices, and provide guidance to small producers to improve local health and safety. Read more Image
WEST – a key component of the environmental community at UArizona Nov. 23, 2020 As part of the University’s “Arizona Institutes for Resilience (AIR),” WEST Center is one of numerous stand-out programs and facilities dedicated to solving environmental challenges and ensuring community health and sustainability. Read more Image
Arizona Science: Developing a new weapon to fight the spread of COVID-19 Sept. 25, 2020 In Episode 251 of NPR Arizona Science, Dr. Luisa Ikner from WEST Center discusses anti-viral chemicals that can be applied and remain effective against SARS-CoV-2 for days instead of hours. Dr. Ikner speaks with Tim Swindle, director of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona, in this 5 minute interview. Read more Image
Wastewater testing at UArizona stops coronavirus spread; garners national attention Aug. 31, 2020 Sounding an early warning, WEST Center helped stop a potential coronavirus outbreak at UArizona through testing campus wastewater. Read more Image
WEST monitors wastewater to keep campus safe Aug. 24, 2020 As the University of Arizona opens for classes and research this fall, a team from WEST Center will monitor wastewater for early detection of COVID-19 on campus. Read more Image
Arizona Science: How investigating wastewater can help solve the COVID-19 crisis Aug. 23, 2020 Scientists are searching for evidence of the coronavirus everywhere, including sewage treatment plants. In an interview for NPR's Arizona Science, WEST Center director Ian Pepper says looking for COVID-19 in this unlikely location could help predict when and where to expect the next outbreak. Read more Image