Tiffany Messer
Associate Professor, Gatton Foundation Endowed Chair
Professional Biography
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. 88-99Research 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
Occurrence and persistence of antibiotics administered to cattle in a newly established feedlot
Trejo, B., Russell, M., Bartelt-Hunt, S., Beni, N. N., Snow, D. D. & Messer, T. L., Nov 1 2023, In: Journal of Environmental Quality. 52, 6, p. 1193-1205 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Higher concentrations of microplastics in runoff from biosolid-amended croplands than manure-amended croplands
Naderi Beni, N., Karimifard, S., Gilley, J., Messer, T., Schmidt, A. & Bartelt-Hunt, S., Dec 2023, In: Communications Earth and Environment. 4, 1, 42.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A Pivotal New Approach to Groundwater Quality Assessment
Cherry, M. L., Gilmore, T. E., Messer, T., Li, Y. & Westrop, J., Dec 9 2022, In: ACS ES and T Water. 2, 12, p. 2297-2304 8 p.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)
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)
1/16/25 → 1/15/28
Project: Research project
Distillery Lake Restoration
Messer, T. (PI) & Berron, B. (CoI)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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
