The Water Drop Lab, led by Zuhlke, is an interdisciplinary lab that produces social science research with real world policy impact. We do this through creative data collection and quantitative analysis in a community-driven, team-based environment.
Illustrations by lab member, Grace Koch (’26)
Projects
We investigate the water quality of drinking water kiosks and outline implications for policy.
We measure and study local public policy outcomes using Google Street View.
We interview people to understand their perceptions of tap and commercial water.
Current Members
In The Water Lab, we believe that students are catalysts for good, like water drops creating ripples.
- Kate Beeman (Environmental Policy and Social Justice, BA ’26)
- Grace Koch (Environmental Science, BS ’26)
Alumni
- Amukta Gantalamohini (BA ’25); Northeastern University (MA in Urban Analytics, expected ’27)
- Abby McKeone (BS ’25); Energy Counselor, Center for Energy and Environment
- LilliAnna Scott (MA Public Affairs, ’15); Project Coordinator, Native Policy Lab
Collaborators
We often work with interdisciplinary and community partners, like water utilities and local governments, to conduct research. We currently collaborate with researchers from the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination.
Funding
Our work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, local government, university centers, and the National Geographic Society.
Lab Photos
The lab visits the University of Iowa’s on campus drinking water utility. 
“In the vastness of the ocean, is any drop of water greater than another? No, you answer, and neither has a single drop the ability to cause a tidal wave. But, I argue, if a single drop falls into the ocean it creates ripples. And these ripples spread. And perhaps – who knows – these ripples may grow and swell and eventually break foaming upon the shore.”
-Margaret Weis + Tracy Hickman
SAMANTHA ZUHLKE 
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