Robert Heinse | University of Idaho

Soil physics and vadose-zone hydrology — Focus on soil water retention, unsaturated flow and physical controls on water movement in soils.

Water resources science and western U.S. drought resilience — Research on soil–groundwater linkages, agricultural water use, and climate-driven water scarcity, including leadership in the Western Water Network.

Environmental and near-surface geophysics — Application of geophysical methods to characterize subsurface structure, soil moisture dynamics, and hydrologic processes.

Soil–plant–atmosphere and root–soil interactions — Study of how roots and soil physical properties regulate plant water availability and ecosystem function.

Extraterrestrial agriculture systems — Investigation of plant growth and water management in nontraditional substrates, including planetary regolith analogs.