Graduate spotlight: Kaleb Young
When Kaleb Young started studying at the University of Iowa, he wanted to become a doctor. And while he’ll gain that title, it will not be an MD like he originally planned but a PhD with a focus in flood mitigation.
Author Archive for: olivia.hubbard
Entries by Olivia Hubbard
Researching PCBs in Portland Harbor: A Collaborative Approach to Community Health and Environmental Remediation
The long-lasting impact of environmental pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) continues to threaten ecosystems and public health around the world. Despite cleanup efforts, PCBs environmental impact remains a significant challenge to many communities. Alexis Slade, a PhD candidate in civil and environmental engineering, is at the forefront of this critical work.
How federal layoffs and funding freezes could impact weather forecasts and flood preparation
A federal hiring freeze and layoffs at the National Weather Service are impacting the accuracy of forecasts and long-range outlooks. IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering Director Larry Weber shares how tens of millions of dollars in federal grants and contracts that were headed to the University of Iowa-housed laboratory have been put on hold.
18 staff members honored with 2025 Staff Council Awards
Eighteen University of Iowa staff members were honored with this year’s Staff Council Awards for achievements ranging from excellence in service to accomplishments that significantly benefited the university. Read more about each award and this year’s winners.
New UI patent transforms water-level measurement
A new patent developed at the University of Iowa’s Hydroinformatics Lab promises to transform how water levels are measured, offering a reliable and affordable solution for communities worldwide. The invention by Ibrahim Demir, the director of Hydroinformatics Lab, and Yusuf Sermet, associate research professor, combines cameras and standard sensors to compute liquid surface elevations of streams, rivers, and reservoirs.
Robotics Teams Dive into Ship Design at IIHR
Robotics programs continue to gain momentum in schools and communities, providing students with opportunities to explore STEM fields early on. It’s important to have the right tools, mentors, and hands-on experiences to spark curiosity and keep the enthusiasm alive.
Study: Wartime breach of Ukrainian dam triggers ‘toxic time-bomb’
George Constantinescu, civil and environmental engineering professor and IIHR faculty researcher, is part of a new study that investigates the environmental impacts of the Kakhovka Dam destruction in Ukraine targeted by warfare efforts using water as a weapon.
Spring flood risks remain low, despite Friday’s storm
Similar to its prediction made earlier this month, the Nation Weather Service’s Quad Cities bureau is anticipating below normal spring flood risks. Tim Gross, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said the risk for severe flooding on the Mississippi River this spring is currently 5 to 10 percent.
University of Iowa program housing Iowa Flood Center reports $35M on hold from feds
As part of sweeping cuts across a broad swath of U.S. departments and agencies, $35 million in federal grants and contracts headed to the University of Iowa’s 105-year-old IIHR-Hydroscience & Engineering center have been placed on hold.
Iowa Flood Center, geological survey see federal funding cuts hit programs
Amid an uncertain situation surrounding federal funding, representatives from the Iowa Flood Center and Iowa Geological Survey mingled with Iowa lawmakers Tuesday to make their case for increasing state allocations.
Modeling the Cedar River Watershed for Data-Informed Land Use Decisions
Logan Mahoney graduated this December with a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering (CEE) and has secured a position as a Graduate Water Resources Engineer at ISG, a respected […]
How Relay Crops Reduce Floods And Boost Farm Profits
Flooding and water quality degradation are significant challenges in Iowa’s agricultural watersheds, driven by intensive farming practices and increasingly extreme weather events. Relay cropping, a regenerative farming practice, offers a solution by keeping soil covered and living roots in the ground year-round to reduce runoff and improve soil health.
IIHR address every day community needs, changing climate
The Iowa Institute for Hydraulic Research’s work can be seen around the world, but its biggest impact is felt closer to home. What started as a small lab at the University of Iowa has grown into a leader in the world of hydroscience and a multidisciplinary hub that is recognized internationally. Its team of researchers and engineers are called upon for projects related to fluid mechanics, hydraulics, water, air and resource conservation.
BlueGAP: Bridging Science, Art, and Community to Combat Nitrogen Pollution
In the traditionally hard science realms of conservation and ecology, opportunities for intersection with the arts and humanities are rare. However, BlueGAP (Blue Green Action Platform) is breaking down these boundaries and achieving remarkable success by embracing this unique fusion.
Weather and Water: Improving Flash Flood Predictions
Vanessa Robledo, a second-year PhD student in civil and environmental engineering (CEE), is helping improve the Iowa Flood Center’s abilities to better forecast flash flood events. Building on her master’s studies in meteorology from Medellin, Colombia, her research focuses on improving methods for predicting weather patterns to enhance flood forecasting.
Lab to Land
owa researchers are working to solve some of our state’s most significant environmental challenges. That includes experts from the UI College of Engineering who are using a living laboratory to conduct innovative sustainability research and scientists who have deployed a vast network of climate sensors to prepare for the growing impact of extreme weather events.
Helping small towns meet wastewater needs, affordably
Craig Just at the University of Iowa has sought an affordable wastewater solution for small towns. Now, through Just’s research, partnerships, and persistence, a pilot system in Dow City appears […]
Enhancing Water Quality Through Stormwater Management
Stan Kohls, a third-year PhD candidate in civil and environmental engineering, is conducting an in-depth investigation into organic contaminants found in water systems. As a graduate research assistant at IIHR—Hydroscience […]
City officials in Spencer, Iowa met with community members to provide clarity on this past summer’s extreme flood event
Four months after record flooding damaged hundreds of homes in Spencer, Iowa, city leaders met to offer transparency about the events that led up to the flooding.
In conjunction with the Iowa Flood Center, city officials shared a full debrief of the days leading up to, and following, the flooding in June. They shared what they learned, and how they hope to prepare for future flooding.
