Robert R. Holmes, Jr., PhD, P.E.

Director

US Geological Survey

Illinois Water Science Center

A native of Harrisburg, Illinois, Robert Holmes has served as Director, of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Illinois Water Science Center (http://il.water.usgs.gov/) since January 1999. In this capacity, he manages and directs all USGS Water Resources Discipline field operations and research in Illinois. Dr. Holmes began his career with the USGS, Missouri District in 1987 and has conducted research and investigations of flood hydrology, river hydraulics, and sediment transport. He has authored numerous papers and reports on these topics. Before becoming Director, he served as a staff hydrologist in the USGS Missouri District office, as the Illinois District Surface-Water Specialist, and as the Chief of the Illinois District Hydrologic Data and Analysis Section. Dr. Holmes has BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla, and a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a registered professional engineer in Illinois and Missouri. Dr. Holmes is a member of Sigma Xi Research Society, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the American Geophysical Union, Illinois Association of Floodplain and Stormwater Managers, and Past-President of the Mid-Missouri Section of ASCE.