Tiffany Messer

Tiffany Messer is an Associate Professor in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky, specializing in environmental engineering solutions for water pollution challenges. Her research integrates laboratory and field studies to develop practical water treatment strategies for agricultural and industrial applications.

Her work focuses on Constructed Wetland Systems for Water Quality Improvement, investigating how contaminant "cocktails" (antibiotics, pesticides, PFAS, microplastics) impact nitrogen cycling and removal processes. Key research themes include:

• Nitrogen pathway dynamics in treatment wetlands
• Fate and transport of emerging contaminants across landscapes
• Innovative use of industrial byproducts (e.g., bourbon stillage) for enhanced treatment
• Kinetics of heavy metal and organic pollutant removal

Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a trend toward complex contaminant interactions and landscape-scale persistence studies, combining isotopic tracing with field evaluations to address real-world water quality challenges.

Dr. Messer's scientific recognition includes:

• NSF CAREER Award (2021) for research on pesticide/antibiotic cocktails in nitrogen removal processes

As Principal Investigator on multiple NSF-funded projects, she leads research on PFAS transport, nanopesticide impacts, and wetland treatment optimization. Her work involves graduate student training in environmental engineering methods and contaminant analysis.

Her research is conducted in specialized environmental engineering laboratories featuring wetland mesocosm facilities and advanced water quality analysis equipment, supporting interdisciplinary collaborations on sustainable water management.