Jenna Shelton recently joined the Prairie Research Institute as the new director of the Illinois State Water Survey.
Shelton is a hydrobiogeochemist with 14 years of experience at the U.S. Geological Survey. She has a dynamic background of research and leadership, with expertise in strategic planning, machine learning, budgeting, the energy-water nexus, workforce development, stakeholder outreach, and international and Tribal Nation relations.
“Previous directors have cultivated a top-tier workforce here at ISWS: We have an expert group of scientists who are uniquely equipped to assist the citizens of Illinois in all things ‘water,’” Shelton said. “I am excited to learn from and work with them to continue to grow the research performed by the survey and continue to serve the needs of Illinois.”
In her new role leading ISWS, Shelton is returning to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she received a bachelor’s degree in environmental geology. She also worked closely with PRI scientists during her time at USGS.
Shelton was previously on the USGS senior leadership team and directed three national research initiatives: STATEMAP, EDMAP, and the Great Lakes Geological Mapping Coalition. She also led education, outreach, international relations, and tribal relations.
Getting reliable, peer-reviewed data and technical information into the hands of policymakers and Illinoisans is crucial to help navigate current and future water quantity and quality issues, Shelton said. With experience in data accessibility and preservation, she aims to ensure the public can easily find ISWS data in usable, relevant, modern formats.
Shelton noted that ISWS scientists are performing state-of-the-art research, developing new techniques, and using powerful digital tools to better understand water quality, water quantity, climate, water-related hazards, and water use in Illinois, and to predict water-related issues in the future.
“ISWS scientists are providing Illinoisians with the best data, science, and models to help save lives in the state and beyond,” she said. “Our scientists are ensuring citizens have safe drinking water; can avoid and better predict water-related hazards such as flooding and landslides; and have healthy rivers and lakes across the state.”
Her own research interests and past published work have advanced critical understanding on controls on microbial methanogenesis in subsurface reservoirs; understanding the relationship between CO2 source, microbial communities, and enhanced oil recovery; stable isotopes as tracers of fluid movement in the subsurface; and application of compositional data analysis and machine learning to better understand subsurface fluid source and geochemistry.
Shelton has an M.S. in hydrology and water resources from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D. in environmental engineering science from the Colorado School of Mines.
The Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides scientific expertise and transformative research to the people of Illinois and beyond. PRI is home to the five state scientific surveys: the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center.