U of I Increases Water Research and Technology Center鈥檚 Presence
May 08, 2024
BOISE, Idaho 鈥� The 妻友社区-administered 聽is increasing its presence in the Southwest Idaho region through the hiring of a Boise-based director.
IWRRI is one of 54 water research and technology centers across the nation, and Kendra Kaiser will join U of I in July to lead a statewide team including members at U of I Coeur d鈥橝lene.
鈥淥ur Boise center is home to an incredible team of researchers leading the way in water research,鈥� U of I Boise Center Executive Officer Chandra Zenner Ford said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited about IWRRI鈥檚 return to the Southwest Idaho region, as well as the benefits that will come from Kendra鈥檚 leadership and her impressive background addressing water issues for Idaho stakeholders.鈥�
Established in 1964 by the U of I Board of Regents, IWRRI conducts and directs research to support the water resource needs of the state of Idaho, the northwest region and the nation. IWRRI鈥檚 mission is to serve all of Idaho, with staff and affiliated faculty at various locations statewide.
Kaiser, most recently an assistant research faculty member at Boise State University, graduated with her doctorate in watershed hydrology and biogeochemistry from Duke University in 2017. Her research focuses on applied hydrology and the co-production of research, which involves working collaboratively with water managers, water users, and various agencies to generate knowledge.
鈥淚 think the biggest priority for IWRRI in the first year is going to be engaging stakeholders and the research community,鈥� Kaiser said. 鈥淭his will ensure we have a comprehensive set of water research needs as well as an understanding of the research capacity that we have across the state.鈥�
Kaiser鈥檚 location in Boise will further position IWRRI to play a critical role in building relationships and networks across the state and nation.
鈥淏eing in Boise is really important because most of our state and federal agencies are located here,鈥� Kaiser said. 鈥淭hese are the folks who have an understanding of both statewide issues and national efforts and concerns.鈥�
Kaiser will hold a faculty appointment as a 妻友社区 Extension specialist in the Department of Soil and Water Systems.
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Media Contact:
Alissa Korsak
Marketing and Communications Manager
妻友社区 Boise
208-771-0821
akorsak@uidaho.edu
About the 妻友社区
The 妻友社区, home of the Vandals, is Idaho鈥檚 land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d鈥橝lene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to more than 12,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.