Dr. Whitaker is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Science. She instructs six classes per year, including HWRS 350 "Principles of Hydrology (in person and online); HWRS 498/498H "Senior Capstone"; and two "Careers in Hydrology & Atmospheric Sciences" courses - one for undergraduates and another for graduate students. Dr. Whitaker is an undergraduate academic advisor for the HAS-Environmental Hydrology majors in the Department, and is the Director of Graduate Studies for the Hydrology programs. She is currently the lead PI for two UArizona Vertically-Integrated Projects (VIPs) for undergraduate research: Integrated Climate Research: Ecosystems, Water, and Weather (ICREWW); and The Arizona Streamgage Catalog (AZStreamCAT). Dr. Whitaker earned her Bachelor's degree in geology from Michigan State University, then moved to Arizona to complete her Master's and Ph.D. in Hydrology and Water Resources at UArizona. She worked as an Assistant Research Scientist with the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX) Science Steering Group (SSG), and did a postdoc as a Soil Moisture Research Scientist with the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Soil Moisture Campaign. She is a nationally-recognized undergraduate academic advisor (National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) Outstanding New Faculty Advisor, 2010) and is the recipient of several University, College of Science, and Departmental Awards for her excellence in advising and commitment to student advocacy and success.