Organization profile
Organization profile
The institute focuses on water resources and water-related environmental issues important to the state of Kentucky. In keeping with its statewide mission, the KWRI works to foster research collaborations between faculty and research staff at UK, as well as faculty and research staff affiliated with the various regional universities across the state. With a mission that encompasses research, education, training and technology transfer, the institute works with federal and state agencies.
The Kentucky Water Research Institute (KWRI) is part of a nationwide association of 54 federally authorized water resource institutes and centers located at land grant universities throughout the United States and its territories. KWRI has over 50 years of involvement in water resources issues and has established itself as an important link between water-related personnel at academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector. KWRI manages a wide variety of research projects, provides technical support to its stakeholders, and educates and trains the next generation of water resource experts.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Our work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 14 Life Below Water -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
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Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D.
- Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering - Professor
- Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment - Senior Associate Dean
- Kentucky Water Research Institute - Affiliate
Person
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Christopher Barton, Ph.D.
- Forestry and Natural Resources - Professor
- Energy Research Priority Area
- Kentucky Water Research Institute - Affiliate
Person
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Scott Berry, Ph.D.
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering - Associate Professor
- Biomedical Engineering - Joint Appointment
- Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences (UK-CARES)
- Center for Computational Sciences - Member
- Markey Cancer Center / Cancer Research Priority Initiative - Member
- Substance Use Priority Research Area
- Translational Oncology Research Program - Member
- Kentucky Water Research Institute - Affiliate
Person
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The Effects of PFAS Loading on Biogeochemical Cycling, Fate, and Transport in Wetlands
Unrine, J. (PI), Crofcheck, C. (CoI), Messer, T. (CoI) & Rodriguez Lopez, C. (CoI)
1/16/25 → 1/15/28
Project: Research project
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Watershed Management Services FY 2025-2026 Within the Kentucky River Basin
Evans, S. (PI)
7/1/24 → 6/30/26
Project: Research project
Research output
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Advancing ecology and evolution through continental scientific drilling
Spanbauer, T. L., Beck, C. C., Cantner, K., Currano, E. D., Fritz, S. C., Gill, J. L., Ivory, S. J., Mcglue, M. M., Boush, L. P., Williams, J. W. & Yost, C. L., Feb 2026, In: Trends in Ecology and Evolution. 41, 2, p. 120-129 10 p., PMID 8805125.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Anuran occupancy of created wetlands within reforested legacy surface mines in Kentucky and West Virginia
Newman, J. C., Price, S. J., Guzy, J. C., Castle, J., Cox, J. J., Larkin, J. L. & Barton, C. D., Apr 2026, In: Journal of Wildlife Management. 90, 3, e70156.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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A socio-technical framework for analyzing crop advisors' preferences for AI-based decision support systems
Gardezi, M., Dharmasiri, I., Zia, A., Rizzo, D. M., Merrill, S. C., Ryan, B. E. K., Abuayyash, H., Carcamo, P., Joshi, B., Clay, D. & McMaine, J., May 2026, In: Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 226, 124601.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Prizes
Activities
- 1 Oral presentation
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Crossing boundaries into communities: How professional and technical communicators can contribute to interpretive planning processes
Cagle, L. (Speaker)
Oct 6 2019 → Oct 8 2019Activity: Talk or presentation › Oral presentation