Dr. Ye Zhang

Professor
Subsurface Hydrology
University of Wyoming

What we do

We develop and apply computational, statistical, and field methods to investigate subsurface fluid flow and solute transport in soils, aquifers, and geological reservoirs as well as their interaction with land-surface processes. While we work on techniques such as scaling theory, inverse methods, HPC, and AI, we also collaborate with geophysicists, geochemists, ecologists, and engineers to derive hydrological insights from multiple perspectives. 

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Research

Since 2014, we have been drilling, testing, and monitoring wells in the headwaters of southeastern Wyoming with the goal of understanding mountain hydrology, basin recharge, and dependent human and ecological processes. 

Teaching

My teaching approach is one of thorough preparation, student participation, and individual mentoring. I set high expectations. All my courses emphasize the understanding of fundamental principles and their assumptions. The emphasis is on the understanding of concepts, theorems, and approaches

Publications

Our research has been supported by the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, American Chemical Society, Wyoming Water Development Commission, and the University of Wyoming's School of Energy Resources and School of Computing.

Meet The Team

Dr. ye zhang

Professor
Subsurface Hydrology

mahathee hossain

M.S. Candidate

Christopher Akurugu

Ph.D. Candidate

Hannah carney

Ph.D. Candidate

UG Researchers:
Sam Gregg
Sam coker
Pat Neu
Korrin sutherberg 

Alumni Degree/Position Year Current Position Current Employment
Paul Liu Research Associate Sept 2010- Aug 2011 Reservoir Engineer Conoco Phillips
Shuiquan Li Postdoctoral Scholar Sept 2008- May 2011 Research Scientist Wyoming Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute
Guang Yang M.S. Sept 2009- May 2012 - -
Juraj Irsa Postdoctoral Scholar Sept 2011- Aug 2012 Reservoir Engineer Schlumberger, Inc. (Houston)
Ye Li Ph.D. Sept 2009- Jan 2014 Reservoir Engineer Chevron (Houston)
Dongdong Wang M.S. Sept 2012- May 2014 Ph.D. Candidate Duke University
Yifan Zhang M.S. Sept 2012- Dec 2014 Production Geologist Shell (Houston)
Mingkan Zhang Postdoctoral Scholar Sept 2012- Sept 2015 Staff Scientist Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Dan Zhou Visiting Ph.D. Candidate June 2016- Aug 2016 Assistant Professor Chengdu University of Technology, P.R. China
Shuangpo Ren Visiting Ph.D. Candidate Aug 2016 - May 2018 Assistant Professor China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, P.R. China
Minh Nguyen Ph.D. Aug 2015 - May 2021 Research Scientist University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources
Jianying Jiao Ph.D. Aug 2018 - May 2022 Associate Professor Three Gorges University, China
Nikki Li Ph.D. Aug 2018 - December 2022 Engineer Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Chanqing Oilfield Company

Research Focus Areas

01

Mountain Hydrology & Mountain Front Recharge

Sustainable water supply is critical to the semiarid western U.S. In Wyoming, mountainous watersheds receive approximately 60% of annual precipitation. Our aim is to improve water balance estimation for both headwater and downstream regions facing climate change and hydrological variability.

02

Carbon Sequestration

Carbon sequestration and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) have been proposed at many geological storage sites in the state's sedimentary basins. Our objective is to understand and reduce model uncertainty in simulating CO2 flow in geological formations characterized by sparse field and laboratory data.

03

Regional Hydrogeology & Petroleum Geology

Sedimentary basins are host to important natural resources (oil, gas, water). In the arid west, increasing attention focuses on the availability of freshwater and how to protect this limited resource. In the Rocky Mountain region, a significant problem is the salinization of rivers and groundwaters.

04

Heterogeneity & Effective Properties

Uncertainties in modeling subsurface fluid flow and solute transport can be significantly reduced if the hydraulic conductivity (or permeability) heterogeneity is fully resolved. 

05

Parallel Computing

Parallel computing has entered many science and engineering fields where large-scale problems can no longer be solved efficiently with serial computers/algorithms.

Contact Information

Email: yzhang9@uwyo.edu
Office: GE 220
Lab: GE315

Phone: 307-223-2292
Lab Phone: 307-766-9895
Fax: 307-766-6679

Department of Geology and Geophysics
Dept. 3006
1000 E. University Ave.
University of Wyoming
Laramie, WY 82071

Graduate Student Opportunities

Please check my CV, under funded projects, for current research. Please read [Admission Information] and contact me if you have questions. Students with quantitative background, programming skills, and strong curiosity are encouraged to apply. Though GRE scores are not required by the Department, I will meet candidates on Zoom and administer my own exam to test math, logical thinking, and writing. After admission, graduate students are expected to excel in all courses I teach (under Teaching) and solve bonus, extra difficult problems. They are also expected to be resourceful and self-reliant.

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