Soil and Water Assessment Team
Meet the Team!
Dr. Claire Hruby, Assistant Professor
Dr. Hruby came to Drake with 20 years of experience doing geological and hydrological assessment, water monitoring, and policy work with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Her research includes assessment of risks from recreational exposures to pathogens and toxins, and focuses on finding sources and solutions. She also works on issues related to drinking water, especially understanding the presence of PFAS, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals in groundwater. Recently, she has added an emphasis on the usage of genetic techniques for better understanding the diversity of aquatic life.
Alexandria “Alex” Colby is an Environmental Science major (Aquatic & One Earth track) with a minor in Biology at Drake University, graduating in December 2026. She serves as the Hydrology Lab & Field Manager, where she leads water-quality monitoring and field research projects across central Iowa, collaborating with partners such as Polk County Conservation, the Iowa DNR, and the Great Outdoors Foundation.
Alex’s research interests include freshwater ecology, wetlands, fens, stream restoration, estuaries, and aquatic biodiversity, with a strong focus on field- and lab-based interdisciplinary science. She is passionate about understanding how hydrology and water quality influence ecosystem health and is preparing for graduate study in aquatic and environmental sciences.
Harrison Zeigler (graduation Spring 2026). Harrison came to Drake from Bentonville, Arkansas. While at Drake he worked on installation of water depth and velocity sensors in SW Iowa, and water quality monitoring in Fourmile Creek, Walnut Creek, Brenton Slough, and the Little Sioux River. In the summer of 2026, Harrison is interning with the Environmental Department of the Quapaw Tribe in Oklahoma.
Lucas Jackson
Paige comes to Drake from eastern Iowa, where she grew up hunting and fishing with her family. Paige received a scholarship from the Jay N Darling Institute, which requires students to contribute to work that supports rural communities. Her research focuses on evaluating the sources of fecal contamination in Catfish Creek near Dubuque, Iowa.
Lindsey Siebert (Graduated Spring 2026) worked on an analysis of groundwater data in partnership with the USGS. Lindsey also has experience doing science education with the Boys and Girls Club of Iowa.
Current Projects
The Soil and Water assessment team works on many projects across Iowa with a diverse range of focuses and disciplines.
Southwest Iowa
Working with Google to create monitoring systems on grade stabilization structures which work to prevent erosion slowing water down before in enters the main waterway. Currently Managed by Harrison Ziegler and Lucas Jackson
Fourmile Creek
Building on Dr. Peter Levi’s previous work students sample rural and suburban areas along Fourmile Creek to understand the way Nitrate moves through the waterway.