In that role he will work with stakeholders to identify water issues in North Dakota, provide assistance to graduate student researchers via the request for water proposals in water resources and develop local workforce in the technical areas of water engineering. Le has served as an NDWRRI Faculty Fellow and, as NDWRRI interim director, will report to 线上赌博app interim vice president for research and creative activity Heidi Grunwald.

Le’s specialty is water resources, and he has spent two decades working on hydrological and hydraulic issues with a focus on examining ways to predict ice jams on rivers and improving ways to estimate flow, erosion and flooding in ice-covered rivers. Le continues his research under a National Science Foundation CAREER Award in 2023.

NDWRRI is one of the 54 institutes known collectively as the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR). Founded in 1965 by authority of Congress through various Water Resources Research Acts, the NIWR is administered through the United States Geological Survey.

“I am happy to have the opportunity to use my expertise to serve the State of North Dakota,” Le said. “I have two immediate goals: to increase the visibility of the Institute to all the stakeholders via the dissemination of our research results with outreach activities; and to bring NDWRRI’s expertise to serve the immediate needs of the state in terms of planning and monitoring water resources.”

"We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Dr. Le as our new Interim Director. His deep expertise in hydrology is matched only by his proactive willingness to take the helm at this pivotal time,” Grunwald said. “We are confident that his leadership will propel the NDWRRI toward opportunities to increase partnerships and new areas of research that will serve the Red River Valley Region and the state of North Dakota. Dr. Le’s energy is characterized by his willingness to leverage his scientific expertise and national network to lead efforts to support the state’s water resource needs today and into the future."

Le’s appointment comes at a time when water demand has dramatically increased in North Dakota from agriculture and various industries in recent years. “I have traveled across the state to learn about the condition of the state’s water resources,” he said. “I have been fascinated by the geological history and the formation of the state’s water resources and I would like to contribute to sustainable water use to support North Dakota’s growth.”

He added that identifying water issues early and proposing potential solutions across the state is critical to helping sustain North Dakota economy's growth. “The challenge of NDWRRI is to create an open environment where water experts in North Dakota can share their perspectives and collaborate to find appropriate solutions. This is also an opportunity to build a strong NDWRRI community that could provide consultations to policymakers in times of need.”

Le was named an assistant professor at 线上赌博app in 2018 and was subsequently promoted to associate professor in 2024. He earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota in 2011.

Learn more about NDWRRI at the NDWRRI website.