Dr Jose Rodriguez

Biography

One of my main contributions to the research field of ecohydraulics, geomorphology and water resources restoration is the design of in-channel structures of the pool-riffle type to naturalize low-gradient urban streams. Pools and riffles are fundamental elements of natural river systems responsible for providing the geomorphological-ecological variability necessary for a healthy habitat, and are typically absent in channelized urban floodways. As part of my PhD, I carried out a comprehensive three-dimensional analysis of the hydraulics of pool-riffle structures in order to maximize their ecological functionality.

During the last four years at the University of Newcastle I have developed a strong research group (two PhD students and one postdoc) in ecohydraulics and restoration of estuarine and riverine environments. This research has produced 12 conference publications and a number of journal papers that are currently in preparation. I am either team leader or first named CI in two grants from ARC (LP in estuarine wetland ecohydraulics and LP in riparian restoration). I am also a CI in the eWater CRC, working in urban ecohydraulics. Being an Early Career Researcher (PhD Sept. 2003) and starting a new research group has resulted in a relatively low productivity in terms of journal papers, which are in the process of preparation or submission.

Qualifications

• PhD, University of Illinois, 2003
• Master of Science, University of Illinois, 1998
• Ingeniero Civil (Equivalant UG Dip), University of Rosario - Argentina, 1992

Research

Research keywords

• Ecogeomorphology
• Ecohydraulics
• Fluvial Hydraulics
• Sediment Transport

Research expertise

Application of the fundamental techniques of physics to the solution of environmental problems in aquatic environments, using a combination of analytical, experimental and numerical tools.

a)Ecohydraulics and aquatic habitat restoration:

Habitat hydraulics, physical-biological coupling in aquatic environments, ecohydraulic design and restoration.

b)Sediment transport, fluvial hydraulics and geomorphology:

Sediment entrainment, bed and bank erosion, channel evolution, vegetation effects.

c)Hydraulics: Unsteady open-channel flows, turbulent boundary layers over rough bed, flow over complex geometries, urban streams.

Languages

• Spanish

Fields of Research

Centres and Groups

Centre

Memberships

Committee/Associations (relevant to research).

• Member - Fluvial Hydraulics Committee of the International Association for Hydraulic Engineering and Research

Appointments

Visiting Assistant Professor University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (United States)

01/07/2006 - 01/12/2006

Awards

Research Award.

2000	Stout Water Resources Research Award University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (United States) Stout Water Resources Research Award for Academic Excellence, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
1993	Research Fellowship National Council of Scientific and Technological Research (Argentina) Higly Competitive Research Fellowship awarded by the National Council of Scientific and Technological Research, Argentina, 1993, 1995.

Invitations

31st IAHR Congress International Association for Hydraulic Engineering and Research, Korea, Republic of (Session Chair )

2005

---

Teaching

Teaching keywords

• Environmental Design
• Fluid Mechanics
• Hydrobiological Modelling
• Open Chanel Hydraulics