Xue Feng is a McKnight Land-Grant Associate Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geo- Engineering (CEGE) at the University of Minnesota. Xue received her PhD degree from Duke University in 2015 and, following a two-year postdoc at UC Berkeley, joined the CEGE faculty in 2017. Xue’s research interest centers on the role of plants in controlling the water cycle. Her work is highlighted by the multiple space and time scales she considers and the mathematical and mechanistic sophistication with which she couples plant physiology to hydrological outcomes.
Two projects in Xue's research portfolio closely mirror the combination of fundamental science and strong societal impact that were a hallmark of Professor Swackhamer's work. In the first, Xue’s field-based research in the peatlands of Northern Minnesota is providing critical information on how climate change will affect the State’s and the country's future water cycle. In the second, Xue's research within the UMN-based NSF urban LTER, focuses on how to best control and manage the water cycle in urban environments to ensure the safety and well-being of our society.
Xue is also a leader in the scientific community. Of note, is her role in promoting women in the hydrological sciences, editing a special issue in the Journal of Hydrology entitled "Women in hydrology: celebrating the contributions of mentors, researchers, and leaders."
Xue Feng is the recipient of the 2024 Deborah L. Swackhamer Award at the Minnesota Water Resources Conference.