He started at Utah State University’s Water Research Lab 29 years ago as a junior assistant professor and July 1 Dr. David Tarboton becomes director of a lab with a national and world profile.
Dr. Tarboton said the water lab falls under the College of Engineering.
“We’re a research department,” Dr. Tarboton explained, “so, most of the faculty will teach in one of the other departments, the majority in civil and environmental engineering but also in biological engineering.”
He said he is proud of the involvement of students in the lab’s work.
“It provides an opportunity for students to help with the research as well as learn a lot and get a kick start on their careers. A lot of the people employed at the water lab are students.”
Dr. Tarboton is a veteran water resources engineer and a renowned hydrologist. He succeeds Mac McKee who retired after 20 years as lab director.
The Utah Water Research Laboratory is one of the country’s leading institutions for water resources engineering and environmental quality research.