Our People
Browse the Department of Soil and Water Systems faculty and staff profiles by highlighting or scrolling through each portrait. Learn more about current research interests, projects and course information.
Faculty
Kendra Kaiser
Director, Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, Assistant Research Faculty
View ProfileRobert Heinse
Acting Department Head and Professor
Ag Science, Room 242
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
Soil and environmental physics with an emphasis on hydraulic properties of soils and porous media as well as their characterization using near-surface geophysics.
- Ph.D., Utah State University, 2009
- Dipl. Geophys., Universitaet Leipzig, Germany, 2004
Courses
- SOIL 205: The Soil Ecosystem
- SOIL 415/515: Soil and Environmental Physics
- SOIL 514: Environmental Geophysics
- WR 501: Water Resource Seminar
- WR 507: Integrated Water Resources Projects
Spoken Languages Other Than English
- German
Erin Brooks
Professor — Agricultural Engineer
James Martin Building, Room 78
208-885-6562
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive, MS 2060
Moscow, Idaho 83844-2060
Ph.D., University of Idaho, 2003 M.S., University of Minnesota, 1997 B.S., Washington State University, 1993
Courses
- ASM 305: GPS and Precision Agriculture
- ASM 315: Irrigation Systems and Water Management
- ENVS/SOIL 450: Environmental Hydrology
- SOIL 452/552: Environmental Water Quality
Lide Chen
Professor — Waste Management Engineer
Room B47
208-736-3615
Twin Falls Research and Extension Center
University of Idaho
315 Fall Avenue, Evergreen Bldg.
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Chen’s focus is on value-added products from waste, mitigation of environmental impacts caused by waste, and dissemination of science-based information to help stakeholders make informed decisions, leading to positive changes.
Ph.D., Iowa State University, 2008
M.S., China Agricultural University, 1993
B. S., China Agricultural University, 1989
Languages other than English spoken
- Chinese
Courtney Cosdon
Soil Health Extension Instructor
Suite 120
208-364-4692
Idaho Water Center
University of Idaho
322 E Front St.
Boise, ID 83702
Courtney fosters collaboration between farmers/producers and soil health professionals. She also creates and fills the gaps in regionally relevant soil health resources.
M.S., University of Idaho, 2020
B.S., University of Idaho, 2016
Mariana Dobre
Assistant Professor
James Martin Lab, Room 81B
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2060
Moscow, ID 83844-2060
I have broad interests in hydrology and water resources. I strive to better understand how human and natural disturbances of the environment alter both the availability and the quality of water resources.
Ph.D., Washington State University, 2013
M.S., University of Bologna, Italy, 2009
M.S., University of Bucharest, Romania, 2007
B.S., University of Bucharest, Romania, 2006
Languages other than English spoken
- Romanian
Marvin Heimgartner
Assistant Professor
James Martin Lab, Room 67A
208-885-6025
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2060
Moscow, Idaho 83844-2060
Heimgartner teaches courses in agricultural mechanics and skills such as beginning welding, shop practices and advanced welding. Students mastering the theoretical and technical knowledge as well as the tactile or motor skill.
- M.S., University of Idaho, 2011
- B.S., University of Idaho, 1998, 2003
Courses
- ASM 107: Beginning Welding
- ASM 200: Seminar
- ASM 202: Agriculture Shop Practices
Kendra Kaiser
Director, Idaho Water Resources Research Institute, Assistant Research Faculty
Idaho Water Center, Boise
University of Idaho Boise
Idaho Water Center
322 E Front St. Suite 440E
Boise, ID 83702
Ph.D., Duke University, 2017
B.S., Montana State University, 2011
Zachary Kayler
Associate Professor
Ag Science, Room 114
208-885-5616
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Dr. MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
My projects focus on the understanding of ecosystem biogeochemical cycles within natural and managed ecosystems with an emphasis on ecosystem sustainability, resilience, diversity and adaptation.
Ph.D., Oregon State University
M.S., University of California, Berkeley
B.S., University of California, Berkeley
Courses
- SOIL 504/404: Landscape Nutrient Management
- NRS 506: Fundamentals of Research Methods in Natural Resources
Meetpal Kukal
Assistant Professor — Hydrologic Science & Water Management
Suite 440J
402-219-3969
University of Idaho Boise
Idaho Water Center
322 E Front St, Suite 440J
Boise ID 83702
Meetpal’s research is on hydrology of agricultural and natural landscapes; how global change stressors impact water resources, and solutions for sustaining and improving agricultural profitability and water security.
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2019
M.S., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2015
B.Tech., Punjab Agricultural University, 2013
Courses
- WR 604: CUAHSI Virtual University
- ASM 315: Irrigation Systems and Water Management
Languages other than English spoken
- Punjabi
Johnny (Liujun) Li
Assistant Professor — Precision Agriculture & Intelligent Robotics
James Martin Building, Room 81A
208-885-1015
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2060
Moscow, ID 83844-2060
Johnny’s research is focused on robotics sensing, control and computing and their interfacing with artificial intelligence and decision support systems for climate-smart agriculture, sustainable manufacturing and infrastructural management.
Ph.D., Central South University, 2012
M.S., Central South University, 2005
B.S., Hunan Agricultural University, 2002
Courses
- ASM 112: Introduction to Agricultural Systems Management
- ASM 240: Computer Applications in Biological Systems
- ASM 305: Introduction to Precision Agriculture
- ASM 475: Drones for Remote Sensing Applications
Languages other than English spoken
- Chinese
Laurel Lynch
Assistant Professor
Ag Science, Room 118
208-885-4661
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
- Ph.D., Colorado State University, 2017
- B.A., St. Olaf College, 2012
Courses
- SOIL 205: The Soil Ecosystem
Robert Mahler
Professor — Soil, Water & Environmental Sciences
Boise Water Center, Suite 120L
208-885-7025
University of Idaho Boise
Idaho Water Center
322 E. Front St, Suite 120
Boise, ID 83702
Robert conducts research on water quality and water quantity water resource issues in Idaho. In addition to public perceptions, priorities and actions taken to address water resource issues in the Pacific Northwest.
Ph.D., North Carolina State University
M.S., Washington State University
B.S., Washington State University
Courses
- Soils 446: Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
- EnvSci 446/546: Drinking Water and Human Health
- Soils 448: Water Quality in the Western USA
Greg Moller
Professor
FRC, Room 204a
208-885-2567
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Dr. MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
Greg’s focus is to advance sustainability by developing new knowledge and innovations in the area of sustainable solutions for water resources impacting individuals, communities and environmental quality globally.
Ph.D., University of California-Davis, 1985
Courses
- FS/EnvS 436/536: Principles of Sustainability
- FS 409/509: Principles of Environmental Toxicology
- FS 464/564: Food Toxicology
Jae Hyeon Ryu
Professor
Idaho Water Center, Suite 242
208-332-4402
University of Idaho Boise
322 E Front Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
My research is on drought monitoring and forecasting, hydrological modeling, and water resources planning and management in a changing global environment associated with urbanization and climate variability. Continue in biography.
Ph.D., University of Washington, 2006
M.S., University of Washington, 2002
B.S., Konkuk University, 1996
Courses
- WR518: System Modeling for Water Management
- WR519: Hydrological Modeling and Applications in a Changing Climate
Languages other than English spoken
- Korean
Linda Schott
Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist — Nutrient & Waste Management
Room B50
208-736-3629
Twin Falls Research and Extension Center
University of Idaho
315 Falls Avenue, Evergreen Bldg.
Twin Falls, Idaho 83301
Linda addresses the needs of stakeholders in southern Idaho related to the impacts of nutrient and livestock waste management and other land management practices on soil health and water quality.
Ph.D., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2018
M.S., Iowa State University, 2015
B.S., Iowa State University, 2013
Languages other than English spoken
- Spanish
Daniel Strawn
Professor — Environmental Soil Chemistry
Ag Science, Room 117
208-885-2713
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
My program is focused on gaining a better understanding of reaction processes in the environment to gain new insights into contaminant and nutrient speciation, reaction pathways and mineralogy.
Ph.D., University of Delaware, 1999
B.S., University of California, Davis, 1994
Courses
- SOIL 422: Environmental Soil Chemistry
- SOIL 501: Seminar
Soil Chemistry, 5th edition (pdf)
- Keywords (xlsx) for each chapter. Students may find this helpful for studying.
- Erratum (pdf) contains corrections to errors, please notify me if you find additional errors.
Michael S. Strickland
Research Associate Professor
Ag Science, Room 109
208-885-0960
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Dr. MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
My research interests are the interface between soil, microbial and ecosystem ecology. Soils, as well as the microbial communities and ecosystem processes supported by soils, are some of the most imperiled systems on the planet.
Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2009
B.A., William Jewell College, 2005
Courses
- SOILS 425/525: Microbial Ecology
Heather Ireton
Administrative Specialist III
Ag Science, Room 242H
208-885-0111
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
B.S., Washington State University, 2006
Hamed Arfania
Postdoctoral Fellow
Ag Science, Room 330
208-596-5633
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 3330
Moscow, ID 83844-3330
Cycling and transformation of phosphorus in tile drainage under conservation tillage systems. Intercropping and cover crops for increasing soil health in north and south of Idaho.
Ph.D., Urmia University, 2018
M.S., Bu-Ali Sina University, 2008
B.S., Urmia University, 2006
Languages other than English spoken
- Persian
- Turkish
Abdulbaset Alayat
Research Associate
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2340
Moscow ID 83844-2340
Ph.D., University of Idaho, 2018
M.S., Academy of Graduate Studies, Tripoli, Libya, 2006
B.Sc., Al Fateh University, Tripoli, Libya, 2008
Martin Baker
Research Scientist
FRC, Room 208
509-553-2251
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Dr. MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
Safdar Bashir
Research Scholar
Ag Science, Room 240
208-997-1784
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive, MS 2060
Moscow, Idaho 83844-2060
Safdar monitors and measures greenhouse gas emissions from climate-smart agriculture practices in Idaho, works to validate climate models by integrating field data to enhance sustainable land management and environmental stewardship.
Ph.D., University of Tübingen, Germany, 2014
M.S., University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 2008
B.S., University of Agriculture Faisalabad, 2006
Alex Crump
Research Specialist
208-885-9239
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
I support ongoing research efforts, with a primary focus on soil and environmental inorganic chemistry; provide analytical assistance to collaborators; support graduate students; laboratory and field studies.
M.S., Washington State University, 2014
B.S., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2007
Benjamin Harlow
Deep Soil Ecotron Senior Technical Engineer
JML 71B
208-885-1173
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2340
Moscow ID 83844-2340
Onsite lead for DSE daily operations, planning and commissioning. Assists with all aspects of the project. Provides operation, support and integration of complex instrumentation to meet research needs.
M.S., University of Idaho, 2005
B.S., University of Idaho, 2002
Vanessa Otero Jiménez
Postdoctoral Fellow
IRIC, Room 228
208-997-1421
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
Vanessa evaluates how different soil management strategies (crop diversity, intercropping, compost addition, livestock-crop integration) can influence an agroecosystem through holistic approach (microbial community diversity, function, soil enzyme activities, etc.).
Ph.D., Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2022
M.S., Universidad Nacional de Colombia, 2011
B.S., Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca, 2001
Languages other than English spoken
- Spanish native
Kendall Kahl
Research Specialist
Ag Science, Room 132
208-885-7505
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Dr. MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
Kahl manages the Soil and Water Resources Lab where much of the research is focused around carbon and nitrogen cycling, earthworm ecology and soil health monitoring in regional conservation agriculture soils and native ecosystems.
M.S., University of Idaho, 2014
B.S., University of Vermont, 2005
Clarence Robison
Research Support Scientist
Annex 222
208-423-6610
Kimberly Research and Extension Center
University of Idaho
3793 N 3600 E
Kimberly, ID 83341
My research include surface water quality, water use by crops/vegetation, instrumentation of non-agricultural areas collecting meteorological data Also supervise the laboratory technicians and maintain the databases and equipment.
M.S., University of Idaho, 1984
B.S., University of Idaho, 1978
Brianna Slothower
Research Specialist
JW Martin Lab, Room 81B
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive, MS 2060
Moscow, Idaho 83844-2060
Brianna is a research supervisor overseeing field and lab operations. She provides support on projects involving soil health and water quality.
M.S., Texas A&M University–Kingsville, 2022
B.S., University of Idaho, 2019
Anurag Srivastava
Research Scholar
Department of Soil and Water Systems
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Dr. MS 2340
Moscow, ID 83844-2340
- Richard Allen, professor and water resources engineer
- Howard Neibling, Extension specialist, water management engineer
- Matt Morra, soil biochemistry
- Paul McDaniel and former head of the Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences