Tiffany Messer

Research Interests

Bioenvironmental Engineering
Nutrient Cycling and Fate and Transport
Surface Water Hydrology Modeling
Emerging Sensor Technologies
Hydrologic and Stable Isotope Tracer Techniques
Restoration Assessments of Ecosystem Services
Environmental Policy
Ecosystem Restoration
Environmental Impacts in Developing Countries
Groundwater Hydrology Modeling
Engineering Education
Agricultural and Urban Ecosystems

Scholars@UK

Isotopically tracing the impact of water contaminant “cocktails” on nitrogen pathways in constructed treatment wetlands

Byers, E. N., Messer, T. L., Tobias, C., Miller, D. N., Barton, C., Unrine, J. & Agouridis, C., Dec 1 2025, In: Water Research. 287, 124294.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Implications of Nutrient Fate and Transport Following Nanopesticide Applications in Agricultural Field Plots in Central Kentucky

Rud, W., Montaño, M. D., Miller, D. N., Sanderson, W., Agouridis, C., Benner, B. F. & Messer, T. L., Sep 2025, In: Toxics. 13, 9, 758.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Review on fate and ecological implications of antibiotics in aquatic agricultural environments

Russell, M. V., Messer, T. L., Snow, D. D. & Bartelt-Hunt, S., Jun 2025, In: Current Opinion in Environmental Science and Health. 45, 100618.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

Wetland Treatment Systems for Municipal Wastewater at a Bourbon Distillery and Potential Value of Incorporating Stillage for Water Treatment Enhancement

Ristola, K., Messer, T., Crofcheck, C., Barzee, T. & Sanderson, W., Jun 2025, In: Journal of Natural Resources and Agricultural Ecosystems. 3, 2, p. 88-99

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Contaminant mixtures and their impact on nitrate removal in wetlands: A mesocosm study

Byers, E. N., Messer, T. L., Miller, D. N., Barton, C., Unrine, J. & Agouridis, C., May 2025, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 383, 125518.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Mass transfer kinetics of Cr(vi) adsorption on a green mussel shell-polyethersulfone membrane

Fulazzaky, M. A., Salim, N. A. A., Puteh, M. H., Messer, T., Othman, M. H. D., Ismail, A. F., Jaafar, J. & Rahman, M. A., Feb 6 2025, In: Materials Advances. 6, 5, p. 1695-1709 15 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Nitrate Removal by Floating Treatment Wetlands under Aerated and Unaerated Conditions: Field and Laboratory Results

McCoy, J., Chaffee, M., Mittelstet, A., Messer, T. & Comfort, S., Dec 2024, In: Nitrogen (Switzerland). 5, 4, p. 808-827 20 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Methanogenesis kinetics of organic matter of the leachate in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor

Fulazzaky, M. A., Yuzir, A., Messer, T. & Sofyan, A., Dec 2024, In: Waste Management Bulletin. 2, 4, p. 1-10 10 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Mass Transfer Mechanisms and Decolorization Kinetics of the Mixed Azo Dyes

Muda, K., Fulazzaky, M. A., Messer, T., Omar, A. H. & Omoregie, A. I., Oct 11 2024, In: ACS ES and T Engineering. 4, 10, p. 2381-2392 12 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

The occurrence and persistence of surface water contaminants across different landscapes

Byers, E. N., Messer, T. L., Unrine, J., Barton, C., Agouridis, C. & Miller, D. N., Jan 1 2025, In: Science of the Total Environment. 958, 177837.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Occurrence, transformation, and transport of PFAS entering, leaving, and flowing past wastewater treatment plants with diverse land uses

Sigler, K., Messer, T. L., Ford, W. & Sanderson, W., Dec 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 371, 123129.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Mechanisms and mass transfer kinetics of Cr(VI) adsorbed by mussel shell incorporated adsorptive membrane

Fulazzaky, M. A., Salim, N. A. A., Puteh, M. H., Messer, T., Othman, M. H. D., Jaafar, J., Ismail, A. F. & Rahman, M. A., Jul 2024, In: Desalination and Water Treatment. 319, 100537.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Influence of Four Veterinary Antibiotics on Constructed Treatment Wetland Nitrogen Transformation

Russell, M. V., Messer, T. L., Repert, D. A., Smith, R. L., Bartelt-Hunt, S., Snow, D. D. & Reed, A. P., May 2024, In: Toxics. 12, 5, 346.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

The Impact of Dissolved Organic Matter on Photodegradation Rates, Byproduct Formations, and Degradation Pathways for Two Neonicotinoid Insecticides in Simulated River Waters

Borsuah, J. F., Messer, T. L., Snow, D. D., Comfort, S. D. & Bartelt-Hunt, S., Feb 2024, In: Sustainability (Switzerland). 16, 3, 1181.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Monitoring temporal chlorophyll-a using Sentinel-2 imagery in urban retention ponds receiving a biological-chemical treatment

Chaffee, M., Mittelstet, A. R., Comfort, S., Messer, T., Shrestha, N., Eskridge, K. & McCoy, J., Dec 2023, In: Ecological Engineering. 197, 107123.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Extraction, analysis, and occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater and after municipal biosolids land application to determine agricultural loading

Caniglia, J., Snow, D. D., Messer, T. & Bartelt-Hunt, S., Oct 27 2022, In: Frontiers in Water. 4, 892451.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Neonicotinoid pesticide and nitrate mixture removal and persistence in floating treatment wetlands

Lindgren, J. K., Messer, T. L., Miller, D. N., Snow, D. D. & Franti, T. G., Nov 1 2022, In: Journal of Environmental Quality. 51, 6, p. 1246-1258 13 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

PILOT SCOPE - Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention - PILOT PROJECTS Distribution Mapping for Microplastics and Biological Contaminants in Wastewater Treatment Straight Pipes

Russell, M. (PI) & Messer, T. (CoI)

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

9/30/25 → 9/29/26

Project: Research project

JBBI 2025 012: Real Time Monitoring Assessment Linked with Calibration and Validation of Early Detection Monitoring System

Messer, T. (PI) & Berron, B. (CoI)

Beam Suntory Incorporated

12/1/25 → 12/31/26

Project: Research project

The Effects of PFAS Loading on Biogeochemical Cycling, Fate, and Transport in Wetlands

Unrine, J. (PI), Crofcheck, C. (CoI), Messer, T. (CoI) & Rodriguez Lopez, C. (CoI)

US Geological Survey

1/16/25 → 1/15/28

Project: Research project

Distillery Lake Restoration

Messer, T. (PI) & Berron, B. (CoI)

Beam Suntory Incorporated

12/15/24 → 12/15/25

Project: Research project

ALN 47.041: PIPP Phase II: Environmental Surveillance for Assessing Pathogen Emergence (ESCAPE)

Berry, S. (PI), Burgess, D. (CoI), Hoover, A. (CoI) & Messer, T. (CoI)

National Science Foundation

9/1/24 → 8/31/31

Project: Research project

PIPP Phase II: Environmental Surveillance for Assessing Pathogen Emergence (ESCAPE)

Messer, T. (PI) & Berry, S. (CoI)

National Science Foundation

9/1/24 → 9/1/24

Project: Research project

PIPP Phase II: Environmental Surveillance for Assessing Pathogen Emergence (ESCAPE) (ALN 47.074)

Berry, S. (PI), Alameh, S. (CoI), Arora, V. (CoI), Burgess, D. (CoI), Gallimore, J. (CoI), Hoover, A. (CoI), Messer, T. (CoI), Ormsbee, L. (CoI) & Xiang, L. (CoI)

National Science Foundation

9/1/24 → 8/31/31

Project: Research project

Participant Support - REU Site: Multidisciplinary Approaches for Overcoming Water Resources and Sustainable Engineering Challenges in Appalachian Regions

Messer, T. (PI) & Barzee, T. (CoI)

National Science Foundation

6/1/24 → 5/31/27

Project: Research project

REU Site: Multidisciplinary Approaches for Overcoming Water Resources and Sustainable Engineering Challenges in Appalachian Regions

Messer, T. (PI) & Barzee, T. (CoI)

National Science Foundation

6/1/24 → 5/31/27

Project: Research project

Tiffany Messer Scope 11-104B Water Resources Research Institute Annual Base Program 2021-2026

Messer, T. (PI), Crofcheck, C. (CoI) & Unrine, J. (CoI)

US Geological Survey

9/1/21 → 8/31/24

Project: Research project

CARERC Pilot: Surface Water Monitoring for Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in Four Kentucky Watersheds

Messer, T. (PI)

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

7/1/19 → 12/31/23

Project: Research project

Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention

Sanderson, W. (PI), Ammerman, M. (CoI), Browning, S. (CoI), Christian, J. (CoI), Jones, K. (CoI), Ladino, K. (CoI), McMaine, J. (CoI), McNeill, S. (CoI), Messer, T. (CoI), Montross, M. (CoI), Palli, S. (CoI), Russell, M. (CoI), Sama, M. (CoI), Sampson, S. (CoI), Sprayberry, S. (CoI), Williams, R. (CoI), Winter, K. (CoI), Mazur, J. (Former CoI) & Vincent, S. (Former CoI)

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

9/30/22 → 9/29/27

Project: Research project

Scope: Coupled Impacts of Agricultural Runoff and Ethanol Pollution on Dissolved Oxygen in Streams

Ford, W. (PI) & Messer, T. (CoI)

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health

9/30/16 → 9/29/22

Project: Research project

Scope 3-Tiffany Messer-104B Water Resources Research Institute Annual Base Program 2021-2026

Messer, T. (PI), Ford, W. (CoI) & Ormsbee, L. (CoI)

US Geological Survey

9/1/21 → 8/31/22

Project: Research project

Pilot: Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences: Evaluating the Risk of Complex Mixtures of Emerging Contaminants, Heavy Metals, and Nutrient Exposure: Identifying Hot Spots and Hot Times in Surface Water Across Kentucky

Messer, T. (PI), Curry, T. (CoI) & Hahn, E. (CoI)

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

4/1/21 → 3/31/22

Project: Research project

104B Water Resources Research Institute Annual Base Program 2021-2026

Unrine, J. (PI), Ormsbee, L. (Former PI), Arpin, S. (Former CoI), Barton, C. (Former CoI), Brewster-Barnes, T. (Former CoI), Byrne, D. (Former CoI), Crofcheck, C. (Former CoI), D'Angelo, E. (Former CoI), Durham, R. (Former CoI), Erhardt, A. (Former CoI), Evans, S. (Former CoI), Ford, W. (Former CoI), Fryar, A. (Former CoI), Koyagi, E. (Former CoI), Lee, B. (Former CoI), Messer, T. (Former CoI), Moe, L. (Former CoI), Sena, K. (Former CoI), Shelley, A. (Former CoI), Shultis, A. (Former CoI), Tobin, B. (Former CoI) & Weisrock, D. (Former CoI)

US Geological Survey

9/1/21 → 8/31/26

Project: Research project

CAREER: Impact of Pesticide and Antibiotic Cocktails on Nitrogen Removal Processes in Treatment Wetland

Messer, T. (PI)

National Science Foundation

7/1/21 → 6/30/26

Project: Research project

Photodegradation of Neonicotinoids in Rivers Adjacent to Agricultural Intensive Regions: A Novel Water Quality Monitoring Approach

Messer, T. (PI)

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

3/15/21 → 3/14/23

Project: Research project

Influence of Agrochemical Mixtures on Treatment Wetland Ecosystems Services

Messer, T. (PI)

University of Nebraska

3/15/21 → 3/31/24

Project: Research project

Evaluation of Nanopesticide Fate and Transport and Biogeochemical Implications in Agroecosystems

Messer, T. (PI)

National Institute of Food and Agriculture

2/15/21 → 2/14/26

Project: Research project

Education

Ph.D., Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2015
M.S., Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, 2010
B.S., Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, University of Kentucky, 2008

Curriculum Vitae

Messer Ecological Systems Observation Research Program

Associated Departments

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering