Gabriele Villarini, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and associate faculty research engineer at IIHR--Hydroscience & Engineering, has been appointed interim director of the research institute.

Villarini takes over for Larry Weber, who has been named executive associate dean for the UI College of Engineering.

Villarini will be responsible for managing all aspects of IIHR’s operation, including research development, external relations, financial, personnel, and administrative functions.

"Gabriele is a highly accomplished scholar, with endless energy and a strong aptitude for academic administration," Weber noted. "I am fully confident that under Gabriele’s leadership, IIHR will continue to advance its standing as international leader in hydroscience and engineering research, teaching, and service."