The Alabama Water Institute recently welcomed Dr. Erin White as associate director of science and research operations at CIROH, the Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology.
White will provide scientific leadership and strategic direction for CIROH’s research activities, strengthen collaboration across the consortium and support advancement of hydrologic science into operational capabilities. She’s particularly excited about the University’s commitment to advancing research excellence in rapidly evolving fields like hydroinformatics, remote sensing and artificial intelligence.
“I was drawn to this position because it brings together the strengths of an academic research setting and the federal partnerships needed to move hydrologic science into practice,” White said. “That integrated role is essential for advancing national water prediction capabilities.”
Throughout her career, White has collaborated with agencies including the U.S. Geological Survey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Federal Emergency Management Agency and Environmental Protection Agency. She sees The University of Alabama’s concentration of water research centers as an ideal environment to continue bridging research and operations.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to support the University’s mission and help shape the future of hydrologic science and research operations,” White said.
From Groundwater to Surface Water
White brings extensive experience in water resources management shaped by early consulting experience and subsequent federal service. Prior to graduate school, she worked with a local environmental consulting firm on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Natural Resource Damage Assessment, processing marsh samples to support coastal impact evaluations.
She later earned her Ph.D. in environmental engineering from the University of Florida, where she used tracer-based techniques to study contaminant transport in fractured and karst systems, with applications to improving remediation and water-quality management. As she finalized her degree, she joined the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville as a hydraulic engineer contributing to Everglades restoration and hurricane-related flood assessments. Her work during the 2017 Hurricane Maria response earned a Commander’s Award for Civilian Service and helped inform recovery efforts in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
An Unexpected Path to Yellowstone
“Working for the National Park Service wasn’t on my radar at the time, but the Yellowstone position brought together field science, resource management and public service in a way that immediately resonated,” White said. “It quickly became one of the most formative roles of my career.”
White spent four years as park hydrologist for Yellowstone National Park, where she led hydrologic monitoring programs, coordinated scientific partnerships and supported the park’s response to the historic 2022 flood event. She was later promoted to a position with the National Park Service’s Water Resources Division, where she provided technical support on water rights, hydrologic data programs and complex water-resource issues across parks nationwide.
Strengthening Interagency Ties
Most recently, White served as project planning and implementation supervisor at Everglades National Park, where she oversaw a team of engineers, hydrologists and ecologists working on major components of the multibillion-dollar Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, the world’s largest ecosystem restoration effort. Her work included significant engagement with tribal, federal and state partners. These experiences strengthened her ability to guide complex scientific efforts and support interagency collaboration, aligning closely with CIROH’s mission to coordinate and integrate applied hydrologic research.