Brian Benham joined Virginia Tech's Biological Systems Engineering department in August 2001. His integrated research and extension program strives to develop and disseminate knowledge that promotes effective water resources management to improve water quality. Dr. Benham works with state agencies and citizens to develop local watershed management plans that, when implemented, reduce the level of pollution in lakes, streams, and rivers. He also works to educate home owners reliant on private water supplies about how to better care for and maintain their private water supply systems to improve the quality of their drinking water. Before joining Virginia Tech, Dr. Benham was on the faculty at the University of Nebraska and a Hydrologist for the US Geological Survey.