From cicada emergence to how to preserve and honor ancient civilizations, state scientists are a critical part of research efforts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign – as well as helping to inform state policy, working with industry and educating the public on issues of scientific importance. Praveen Kumar, the executive director of the Prairie Research Institute, discusses the importance of Illinois state scientists and the roles they play as experts for the state with News Bureau staff writer Maeve Reilly.
National Public Radio recently reported that only 16 states in the U.S. have a state entomologist. The state of Illinois has seven state scientists and all of them are based at the U. of I. Why is it important for the state to have scientists that are working on its behalf?
State scientists help in supporting science-based policies and ensuring that decisions are informed by the latest research.
Having state scientists is critical for addressing local and regional environmental, agricultural, economic and public health challenges. These scientists conduct essential research on species that affect crop production, disease transmission, resource mapping and management and ecosystem health.
In a state like Illinois, where agriculture plays a significant role, understanding and managing pest populations can have profound economic and environmental implications.
How are the state scientific surveys incorporated into the university?
The Prairie Research Institute was established at the U. of I. to provide a home to develop synergies across the efforts of five scientific surveys: the Illinois Natural History Survey, the State Geological Survey, the State Water Survey, the Sustainable Technology Center, and the State Archaeological Survey. The seven state scientists at PRI were established by state law.
This consolidation aimed to enhance interdisciplinary research, optimize resource use and better serve the state’s needs by providing a centralized institution that is well-integrated with the research of the university. The integration of these surveys under PRI ensures a coordinated approach to addressing Illinois’ most pressing scientific, socioeconomic and environmental challenges.
As executive director of the Prairie Research Institute, one of your responsibilities is to appoint state scientists from the Illinois scientific surveys. How do you make those designations, and what prepares a scientist to become a state scientist?
In appointing state scientists, the executive director considers a combination of factors including academic credentials, research expertise and a demonstrated ability to address issues critical to Illinois’ well-being. Candidates are typically well-established in their fields, with a strong record of scientific research and publications and expertise in public engagement. The process involves assessing how well a scientist’s expertise aligns with the state’s needs and PRI’s mission, ensuring that appointed scientists can contribute effectively to the state’s priorities.
What are some of the important issues that each of the state scientists are working on right now?
The state scientists at PRI are actively engaged in research addressing a wide range of critical issues. These scientists offer a balanced approach based on unbiased and peer-reviewed scientific work by state surveys and serve as trusted sources of information relying solely on the data, and telling us about the “state of our State.”
For example, state climatologist Trent Ford focuses on climate change and its implications for Illinois, providing vital information for agriculture, infrastructure and natural resource management. The state geologist, Dick Berg, focuses on Illinois’ energy, mineral and groundwater resources, balancing resource protection with economic development. State pollution prevention scientist Kishore Rajagopalan has over 30 years of experience in plant operations, green process development, separation technologies and pollution prevention research.
State hydrologist Laura Keefer serves as technical or science advisor on dozens of committees, ranging from watershed planning to state and federal interagency task forces, to resolve hydrologic, sediment and nutrient watershed issues. State archaeologist Tim Pauketat leads efforts in preserving Illinois’ archaeological sites and cultural landscapes, advocating for their public significance, and managing important archaeological data.
State entomologist Chris Dietrich is a world authority on leafhoppers and treehoppers, which include many important agricultural pests, invasive species and vectors of plant pathogens. State entomology studies are particularly important considering challenges such as the rise of mosquito- and tick-borne viruses, where understanding environmental factors can aid in prevention and response strategies, and cicada emergences and their impacts on ecosystems.
The state biologist is integral in guiding decisions that affect the state’s natural resources and ecological health. A search to fill this position will open soon.
State scientists are expected to work with industry. What does that mean in practice?
Working with industry means that state scientists engage in partnerships and collaborations that translate scientific research into practical applications. This involves consulting on environmental impact assessments, developing sustainable technologies and providing expertise to help industries comply with regulations and adopt best practices for environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.
For example, the state archaeologist alerts homebuilders and developers of the likelihood of significant cultural and historical sites across the state, as well as contracts with them, in specific instances, to mitigate the effects of their developments. These collaborations ensure that economic development proceeds in a manner that is equitable, environmentally sustainable and informed by cutting-edge science.
How do the state scientists work in the community? Are there examples of them working in tandem to educate the public on important issues?
State scientists play a vital role in community education and outreach. They participate in public lectures, school programs and community events to disseminate scientific knowledge and raise awareness about environmental issues. For example, scientists might collaborate with local communities on water conservation projects or lead informational sessions on tick-borne disease prevention.
Other recent examples include collaboration on the Rockford Mass Transit District Climate Action Plan and ongoing work on the Town of Normal’s sustainability plan. These projects usually involve detailed climate and climate change assessment, data services and community resident engagement to help develop climate planning.
These activities help bridge the gap between scientific research and the public, empowering communities with knowledge to make informed decisions about their environment.