Opportunities

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SCHOLAR EXCHANGE IN KARST GROUNDWATER STUDIES

Lee Anne Bledsoe, Crawford Hydrology Lab, Western Kentucky University

Patricia Kambesis, Cave Research Foundation, International Programs

Rick Toomey, Mammoth Cave National Park

In Fall 2019 the Crawford Hydrology Lab at WKU (CHL) and Cave Research Foundation-International Programs (CRF-IP) hosted an international research scholar exchange with University of Belgrade faculty member, Dr. Nenad (Sean) Marić. The exchange and associated research is funded by the Trust for Mutual Understanding, WKU Ogden College of Science and Engineering, the NSS International Participant Grant, Geologic Society of America, and in-kind support of CRF members and Crawford Hydrology Lab staff. 

This exchange allowed CRF-IP and CHL to share our expertise and experience using methodologies that can be applied to groundwater investigations in vulnerable karst aquifers for water supply and/or water quality projects while offering Dr. Marić direct hands-on training and participation in on-going research. 

Dr. Marić has recently returned to WKU as a Fulbright Scholar working with Dr. Jason Polk. At home, he is a professor and hydrologist working on several groundwater contaminant transport and remediation projects in Serbia that could benefit from groundwater tracing and monitoring efforts. CHL staff will attend the UNESCO Characterization of Karst Aquifers and Engineering Field Course hosted by the University of Belgrade in 2022 to continue the exchange and cooperative research.

We regularly host international research scholars from karst areas across the globe, contact us about a potential exchange or in-country training opportunity.