Yu-Feng Lin, a hydrogeologist at the Illinois State Geological Survey, is the new director of the Illinois Water Resource Center (IWRC), which addresses the state’s water resources challenges through research and education.
As new director, Lin plans to continue and enhance the role IWRC has played since 1964 of bringing scientists, water professionals, and communities together to work on water-related issues.
“Fortunately, we have so many outstanding water scientists, specialists, and professionals in PRI and IWRC to work on current issues and plan for the future,” Lin said.
An important challenge in his new role will be to integrate and coordinate projects for optimal efficiency and to leverage scientists’ efforts. IWRC outreach specialists partner with government agencies, universities, and communities to educate professionals and the public on water resource issues. In recent years, projects have focused on strategies for reducing runoff of agricultural fertilizer, helping scientists, communities, and decision makers address flooding and community resiliency, and water supply and treatment.
Each year IWRC provides several research grants as seed funding for scientists and serves as the hub to facilitate federal research grants related to water resources for all of the colleges and universities in the state.
“The IWRC is not only a center to facilitate research projects, but it is also a coordination center to provide a nationwide network for collaboration, such as hosting delegates for the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. and Universities Council on Water Resources,” Lin said.
Lin will continue his current research interests in the water-energy nexus, such as geothermal energy and using temperature as a tracer to understand water cycle processes, including groundwater and surface water interactions.
Lin’s office for his IWRC director role is in Room 376 National Soybean Research Center, and his research office is at 204 Natural Resources Building.
For more information contact: Yu-Feng Lin, yflin@illinois.edu, 217-333-0235, www.ilwaterresources.org