Bureau hydrologist and senior research scientist Bridget Scanlon has been elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional honors accorded to engineers and scientists. Scanlon leads the Bureau’s Sustainable Water Resources Program, a research group that combines a variety of analysis methods—from local field measurements to data from NASA’s GRACE satellite—to provide insight on water in the environment at a variety of scales. Recently, Scanlon led the most comprehensive study to date on the water supply of the Colorado River Basin, a water source for over 40 million people. Her work has improved the understanding of groundwater depletion worldwide and has played an important part in informing U.S. water policy, particularly water management in California’s Central Valley.
Scanlon has also studied water use in energy production. In 2014, she led research that determined hydraulic fracturing uses no more water than conventional reservoir extraction techniques. And in 2012, she led a study that found using natural gas for electricity production resulted in overall water savings when compared to electricity generated by coal-steam power plants.
“I still have difficulty believing that I was elected,” Scanlon said. “I wish the process would recognize collaborative efforts because I would like to acknowledge my coworkers, particularly Bob Reedy and J.-P. Nicot. I am very grateful to Scott Tinker for supporting my career at the Bureau, to Dean Mosher for support from the Jackson School, and to Dr. William Fisher and many others who made the Jackson School a reality. I also appreciate support from the Mitchell Foundation and Sloan Foundation for our current research related to water and energy issues.”
“Scanlon is an ideal example of someone excelling in the role of a research scientist," said Bureau director Scott Tinker. "Bridget works on very practical things and bridges nicely between fundamental data, basic breakthroughs, and practical applications of science. She is also extremely humble, unassuming, and a terrific team player, and she leads by example. She is one of the most diligent and hardworking scientists I have ever had the pleasure to work with." To read the full Jackson School of Geosciences press release, click here.
