ESTHER LEE, PHD
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Ecohydrology

Given projections of a warmer climate, there has been a rapid expansion in scientific interest in how ecosystems will respond to groundwater depletion and periods of prolonged stress. My research provides a framework for understanding the resilience and vulnerability of different ecosystems to climate variability and change. I study dry land (Arizona, US) and wetland (Florida, US) ecosystems to examine the impact of climate variability on the water-use between coexisting vegetation species, linkage between the above- and below-ground ecohydrologic processes, and the connectivity between wetland and the adjacent upland. I coupled ecohydrological modeling and field experimentation that mutually inform each other to provide detailed insights at a range of scales and guide us about the place-specific and the generality of the scientific outcomes. My research, while providing deep insights for extremely dry and wet regions, also enables broader generalizations regarding the interaction between groundwater, surface water, vegetation roots, and aboveground assemblage and their roles in whole-ecosystem performance under changing climate.
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Educational Background

   Ph.D, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2016-2021)
Water Resources Engineering and Science
Advisor: Praveen Kumar
Thesis: The coupled roles of hydraulic redistribution and subsurface moisture transport in semiarid ecosystems

 

   M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2014-2016)
Water Resources Engineering and Science
Advisor: Praveen Kumar
Thesis: An experimental and modeling synthesis to determine seasonality of hydraulic redistribution in semiarid region with multispecies

 
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   B.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2010-2014)
​   Concentration: Environmental Hydrology and Hydraulic Engineering / Geotechnical Engineering
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Teaching and Mentoring Experience

Teaching Assistant at the University of Illinois
  • Hydrolimatology (CEE 550, Spring 2021)
  • Surface Hydrology (CEE 450, Fall 2017 / Fall 2019 / Fall 2020)
  • Teaching and Leadership (ENG 598 TL / Fall 2020)
  • Engineering Risk & Uncertainty (CEE 202, Fall 2018)

Research Mentor at the University Illinois
  • Guidance for independent study research (Spring 2020-Summer 2021)
  • Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program (Fall 2019)
  • Promoting Undergraduate Research in Engineering (PURE) program (Spring 2019)
  • Research Graduate Mentor (Summer 2018)

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