ANNOUNCEMENTS
White selected as Fulbright Specialist for river vegetation study in Chile
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
Assistant Professor Danny White has been awarded a Fulbright Specialist position and will travel to Chile in October 2025 to study the impact of non-native vegetation on river systems. White will specifically research the Lircay and Bíobío Rivers, where invasive plants have narrowed channels, trapped sediment, and increased flood risks.
The project will integrate field surveys with aerial and satellite imagery to study how invasive species influence river morphology, flow capacity, and infrastructure vulnerability. This research will inform strategies for restoring natural river processes and reducing flood hazards.
“This Fulbright opportunity is a wonderful chance to share ideas and learn about how rivers evolve under changing conditions. Our work on the Lircay River will provide insights for improving river management and flood resilience both in Chile and worldwide,” said White.
This collaboration with the Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC) in Chile came about after a chance meeting. In 2024, UCSC Professor Diego Caamaño visited the University of Idaho where White was working as a postdoctoral fellow.
“Our conversations revealed shared interests in fluvial hydraulics and the role of vegetation in shaping river processes,” said White. “We quickly recognized striking parallels between Central Chile and the Southwestern United States, as both regions are facing prolonged drought and the spread of invasive riparian vegetation. These common challenges led to the development of a collaborative Fulbright project based at UCSC in Chile.”
“This partnership to study changes in alluvial rivers driven by non-native vegetation advances our understanding of fluvial processes while fostering meaningful international collaboration that enriches both institutions,” said Caamaño.
“The Fulbright Specialist Program, part of the larger Fulbright Program, was established in 2001 by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The program pairs highly qualified U.S. academics and professionals with host institutions abroad to share their expertise, strengthen institutional linkages, hone their skills, gain international experience, and learn about other cultures while building capacity at their overseas host institutions.
Specialists, who represent a wide range of professional and academic disciplines, are competitively selected to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster based on their knowledge, skill sets, and ability to make a significant contribution to projects overseas. Those individuals that have been approved to join the Fulbright Specialist Roster are then eligible to be matched with approved projects designed by foreign host institutions from over 150 countries and other areas. Once abroad, Specialists partner with their host institution to conduct project activities in support of the host institution’s priorities and goals.
The Fulbright Specialist Program aims to provide a short-term, on-demand resource to international host institutions, giving them greater flexibility in how they participate with Fulbright. Specialists are strongly encouraged to continue to work with host institutions in the years following their initial exchange, creating opportunities for ongoing cooperation and consultancies.”