Amy Burgin

Dr. Burgin’s research program asks and answers fundamental and timely questions centered on understanding how human activities influence the water quality of streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands using an interdisciplinary lens integrating limnology, biogeochemistry, and microbial ecology. She has published on a wide range of topics, including: (1) the implications of changing climate patterns for increasing nitrogen export to streams and rivers, (2) the biogeochemical processes by which rivers can remove nitrogen thereby improving water quality, (3) the causes and management of harmful algal blooms, (4) the role of wetlands in producing greenhouse gases, and (5) the prevalence and importance of non-perennial streams as part of larger river networks. Burgin’s research generates regional and national-scale engagement by placing results in locally relevant contexts and providing clear, translational scholarship needed to improve water quality. Key findings have resulted in a range of novel contributions, including understanding of nutrient and greenhouse gas fluxes at the interface between land and water, providing a better understanding of phosphorous pollution, and nitrogen cycling in streams. Her collaborations all emphasize high-quality undergraduate to postdoctoral training, building effective mentoring practices, and creating inclusive scientific teams. She received the 2015 Holling Family Junior Teacher Award (from UNL), the 2019 Mentor of the Year by the KU Office of Diversity in Science Training (ODST), the 2022 University Scholarly Achievement Award from KU, and the 2025 Leadership Award from the Society for Freshwater Science. She has co-authored over 60 publications and secured >$10M in direct federal research support while training more than 50 undergraduates, 10 graduate students, and 6 post-doctoral scientists. When teaching, she offers courses on the Ecology of Lakes and Rivers, Water in the Anthropocene, Scientific Communication, and Team Science.