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Erkan Istanbulluoglu

Faculty Photo

Professor
Civil & Environmental Engineering

Biography

Erkan Istanbulluoglu is a faculty member at UW CEE since 2009. He studies the interactions among hydrologic, ecologic, and geomorphic processes in watersheds and how such interactions shape geohazards during climatic extremes. His research group develops and uses numerical models for landscape evolution, ecohydrology,  landslide, debris flow and flood risk. These models are developed to study research questions that span time scales from long-term geomorphic phenomena, such as the evolution of gully networks and mountainous landscapes and their vegetation patterns, to engineering time scale predictions relevant to decision-making and design. His modeling interest also aims to develop models that can be rapidly implemented for near real-time hazard forecasts. 

Before joining UW, he served on the faculty of the University of Nebraska Lincoln (2005-2009) in Geoscience, Biological Systems Engineering, and was a postdoctoral associate at MIT's Ralph Parson’s Lab for Environmental Sciences and Engineering (2003-2005). 

Erkan currently serves as an Associate Editor for Water Resources Research since 2011, and he is on the editorial board of FORESTIST. He was the past chair of the AGU Ecohydrology Technical Committee, and served on the CUAHSI's board of directors. 

Education

  • Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 2003
  • M.S. in Agricultural Engineering, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey, 1998
  • B.S. in Agricultural Engineering, Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey, 1996

Previous appointments

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Research Statement

Erkan Istanbulluoglu is interested in understanding and modeling interactions among hydrologic, ecologic, and geomorphic processes in watersheds; their connections to society; and the impact of climate change on watershed response.

Current projects

Landlab modeling toolkit

http://landlab.github.io/#/

Prediction of Regional Landslides


Woody plant encroachment in Western US


Climate change impacts on Pacific North West hydrology


Role of solar radiation on landscape evolution


Honors & awards

  • 2015 Water Resources Research Editor’s Choice Award
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) Scholarship, 1995

News

Blazing a trail with wildfire research

An increase in wildfires across the nation has sparked researchers to develop new technologies and hazard prevention protocols.

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Faculty spotlight: Erkan Istanbulluoglu

Learn more about Professor Erkan Istanbulluoglu's passion for the performing arts, which led him to found a theater group in high school. He also shares what he enjoys most about his job and why CEE is unique.

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Three CEE faculty promoted

Congratulations to CEE faculty members promoted in recognition of their hard work and achievements: Erkan Istanbulluoglu, Donald MacKenzie and Jim Thomson. 

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Glacier melt to impact PNW water

For the first time, a team of researchers including CEE alumnus Chris Frans and associate professor Erkan Istanbulluoglu have evaluated the hydrological impact of receding glaciers in the region.

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