Interdisciplinary Programs
Water Science and Policy
A Message from the Founding Director
Water is a valuable resource that is critical for the health, vitality, and long-term sustainability of all natural ecosystems. For humans, water plays an essential role in food and energy production, transportation, and recreation.
Worldwide, however, water resources are at a risk. Unsustainable population growth, land-use changes, pollution, and global climate change all threaten the distribution, quantity, and quality of the water on which all life depends.
Protecting and preserving our water resources requires that we take a “big picture” approach that addresses where water comes from, where it goes, how it travels, how it is used by living things, what’s in it, and how to remediate problems and develop policies to protect water.
The interdisciplinary program in Water Science & Policy educates students to address the complex challenges that we face today; to develop solutions that are socially acceptable, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable; and to be true stewards of our environment.
We invite you to join us in our endeavors to ensure that all of Earth’s inhabitants, now and into the future, have adequate supplies of clean, healthy water.
Dr. Shreeram Inamdar
Professor of Watershed Hydrology and Biogeochemistry
By choosing to study Water Science & Policy at the University of Delaware, you will be embarking on an exciting intellectual journey that will challenge you to synthesize knowledge from a number of different fields. No matter what aspect of water you choose as your research focus, you’ll be encouraged to look at how it intertwines with other natural and human aspects of water quality and quantity.
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Qingwu (William) Meng honored by American Society for Horticultural Science
October 29, 2024 | Written by Molly SchaferThe University of Delaware’s Qingwu (William) Meng won second place in the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) early career competition. Meng’s research and teaching focus on the production of high-value specialty crops, including edible crops and flowers, in highly controlled environmental systems like greenhouses and indoor farming spaces. He says controlled-environment horticulture is a sustainable solution to feeding the world while protecting the planet. Meng’s new class, “Growing Plants in Space,” capitalizes on student interest in space exploration to teach plant science. Nicole Donofrio, professor of plant pathology, says Meng cares deeply about increasing the efficiency of hydroponically grown plants. -
The ecological and practical benefits of planting native species
October 24, 2024 | Written by: Gene Fox, Washington Daily NewsPlanting native species not only supports local wildlife but also helps create sustainable, low-maintenance landscapes. Gene Fox 'Dishes the Dirt' on how you can use native plants to your advantage. -
Rodrigo Vargas appointed to Department of Energy advisory committee
October 21, 2024 | Story and photo by Katie PeikesUniversity of Delaware Department of Plant and Soil Sciences’ Rodrigo Vargas was appointed to be a part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Biological and Environmental Research Advisory Committee. The federal committee advises the Department of Energy’s Director of the Office of Science on scientific and technical issues related to the Department’s biological and environmental research program.
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