Olivia Hubbard
Writing Samples
Here’s a selection of my writing samples—feature stories, student spotlights, press releases, and more—created during my time at IIHR–Hydroscience & Engineering, the Iowa Flood Center, and in graduate school. These pieces highlight my ability to craft clear, engaging content for a range of audiences, from personal profiles to accessible takes on technical topics.
This feature story was created for IIHR’s website to highlight the collaborative research efforts led by Alexis Slade in assessing the impact of PCB contamination in Portland Harbor. By showcasing her work, the story emphasizes the critical role of community engagement in environmental remediation and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research in tackling complex pollution issues. Through this piece, the aim was to inform and inspire both the scientific community and the public about sustainable, science-driven solutions to longstanding environmental challenges.
This research spotlight was created for IIHR’s website to showcase the diverse range of research projects led by the Iowa Geological Survey across the country. Focusing on Matthew Streeter’s work in California, the piece highlights how his expertise in soil health and water quality is being applied to evaluate the environmental impacts of fire-retardant chemicals used in wildfire prevention. By sharing this story, the goal was to demonstrate IIHR’s involvement in critical, real-world research that addresses pressing issues like wildfire mitigation and environmental sustainability, ultimately contributing to safer, more informed approaches to disaster management.
This feature was written to showcase the innovative collaboration between IIHR and the arts and humanities through the BlueGAP program. By highlighting how students from diverse disciplines are addressing nitrogen pollution through both scientific research and artistic expression, the piece underscores the real-world impact of interdisciplinary work. The story aims to demonstrate how combining science, art, and community engagement can lead to creative solutions for environmental challenges, while also fostering student development and meaningful partnerships with local communities.
This research feature was created to highlight the collaborative work between IIHR and the City of Coralville, focusing on innovative stormwater management solutions to enhance water quality. Stan Kohls, a PhD candidate at IIHR, is leading a study that investigates organic contaminants in urban runoff, exploring the role of green infrastructure like bioretention cells and fungi in reducing pollution. The story aims to demonstrate how this research not only addresses water quality issues but also contributes to flood prevention, offering valuable insights into sustainable urban water management practices.
This student research feature highlights Vanessa Robledo’s work to improve flash flood predictions at the Iowa Flood Center. As a second-year PhD student, Robledo is applying her meteorological expertise to enhance weather pattern forecasting, collaborating with a team on a NASA-funded project. By refining precipitation tracking methods and integrating them into advanced flood forecasting models, her research aims to provide earlier and more reliable flood warnings, ultimately helping communities better prepare for extreme weather events. This story underscores the real-world impact of Robledo’s work on disaster preparedness and community resilience.
This article highlights the impactful STEM initiatives led by IIHR professors, including Professors Harwood and Buchholz, who introduced K-12 students to marine engineering concepts through a hands-on ship design challenge. By guiding students through the engineering design process, the professors helped them develop problem-solving, teamwork, and technical skills, emphasizing the importance of learning from setbacks. This story showcases how IIHR’s community involvement and educational outreach inspire future engineers by bridging classroom knowledge with real-world applications in ocean science and technology.
This press release details updated Flood Inundation Maps released for the Rock Valley community in Iowa. Created to inform Emergency Managers, public officials, community members, and more, this was released on The Iowa Flood Center's website as well as dispersed in an email campaign.
Created for a school project, this feature story serves as a sample of content that could be used by the Iowa Flood Center during March Flood Awareness Month. The aim was to highlight the impact of flooding on Iowa communities, showcase the work of the Iowa Flood Center in helping to mitigate flood risks, and emphasize the importance of flood preparedness and education. Through this piece, I aimed to raise awareness about the ongoing efforts to reduce flood damage and help communities better respond to future flood events.
