ASCE Publications: What separates this journal from others in the field?

Bombardelli: The Journal of Hydraulic Engineering (JHE) is the premier journal covering all aspects of engineering in the water resources field. The standing of the JHE in the world is the result of ASCE Leadership and Staff since its inception; the tremendous dedication of past Chief Editors; the strong commitment and efforts of distinguished Associate Editors; and the great work by Authors, who have selected this forum for publishing their best research findings and projects.

The journal has a long-standing reputation of covering crucial topics related to: flows past hydraulic structures, basic research on sediment transport and bedforms, numerical solutions for flows in open channels, bubble-laden flows, flow in meanders, scour at in-stream structures, density currents, and pioneering computational simulations of turbulent flows, among others. Today it continues to cover important trending subjects, including water losses in pipes (of particular importance to big cities), blockage of flow in hydraulic structures due to woody debris, impact of climate change on water quality and quantity, and basic understanding of turbulence in river flows.

ASCE Publications: That flows nicely to my next question about what critical topics you want to see covered in the hydraulics journal?

Bombardelli: I would like to see more large-scale field data regarding flows in rivers, estuaries, and lakes, which could be used for the development of new interpretations on fluid flow, and to the validation of novel theories and numerical models. Relatively recent Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are changing the way we observe natural flows, by allowing multiple-point observations of diverse variables, including turbulence statistics.

Also, more experimental, and numerical evidence regarding turbulence in flows at diverse scales, as well as on the interaction of water flows with disperse phases such as bubbles and sediment particles, is needed. This knowledge will be crucial to better design hydraulic structures, harbors and ports, water supply systems, etc.

Finally, new theories addressing multi-phase flows to address critical flows in hydraulic structures.

ASCE Publications: What are the biggest challenges facing hydraulic engineers and researchers today / in the coming years?

Bombardelli: One of the most important challenges is associated with climate change. There are urgent needs to define adaptation measures to the impacts of climate change regarding water quantity and quality in different parts of the world.

A timely JHE editorial by Prof. John S. Gulliver questions whether we are prepared for climate change adaptation. As hydraulic engineers, are we ready to address the critical issues, so we are prepared to act when the time comes? JHE will become the forum where these issues are addressed. There is still a need to understand the impact of development on water bodies. In California, for instance, recent wildfires have called for innovative efforts to predict impacts on water bodies of future wildfires, which would be more frequent in the incoming years. Cycles of droughts and floods also complicate our ability to provide adequate responses to diverse problems.

As mentioned before, turbulence! While we do not fully understand the nature of turbulence yet, there is hope that experiments and field research will provide us with better predictors. A better understanding of how turbulence manifests and interacts with surfaces (like cars, airplanes, hydraulic structures, etc.), will assist engineers in finding solutions for the long term. We are not there yet, but this will be an important focus for the journal.

Finally, pandemic events may produce notable changes in water quality in rivers, estuaries, and lakes.

ASCE Publications: What inspired you to become a Civil Engineer

Bombardelli: My humble background did not afford an immediate connection with engineering. But, from a young age, I was drawn into science through mathematics and physics, and had a desire to apply them to understand the world around. Engineering offered a way to apply both (physics and math, which play a big part in what I do every day). I was born and raised close to Rio de la Plata in Argentina, and that proximity made riverine problems interesting. I recall marveling as a child at the coastal bedforms of Rio de la Plata. During my high-school years, I visited a large, famous hydraulics laboratory, and found my passion for fluid mechanics and water resources projects. Thus, I decided to follow my interests and passion by becoming a Hydraulic Engineer.

ASCE Publications: What drew to be an editor?

Bombardelli: I have known this journal since I was in college, so being able to serve as an Editor of a journal of this stature is a dream come true. It is extremely prestigious to have been selected. Not only can I coordinate the publication of papers in a top journal in the area, with the Authors and Associate Editors, but I am also able to humbly contribute to define the future of research and applications in water resources.

ASCE Publications: What key features do you look for in an article submitted to your journal?

Bombardelli: : I would like to see papers that combine experiments or field work, with numerical simulations, using all tools available to address a problem. When you look at the problem using multiple tools you learn so much more about it. I have been working on flows and processes at Lake Tahoe. When you think of the lake as a whole it seems too much to manage, but in using multiple tools to research the different flow issues, you begin to develop a three-dimensional picture of what is happening! Having multiple tools provides that bigger picture to solve the problems.

Papers should also clearly state their objectives and questions to be addressed. We carefully look at papers at the point of submission; it is critical for Authors to be clear of the papers purpose to ensure it moves through the review process. And regardless of whether the paper is experimental or numerical, a satisfactory quantification of uncertainty is needed.

ASCE Publications: What are your aspirations for future of the journal?

Bombardelli: I, of course, want to maintain (and possibly increase) the current prestige of the journal. Initially I plan to incorporate more Associate Editors (our subject matter experts). We have had a large uptick in submissions that address water losses in pipes at different cities and need more support to cover this important topic.

I would like to increase the diversity of the journal, both with more women AEs as well as a more extended, global representation (in line with my predecessor’s wishes), especially from Latin America and Africa.

Additionally, I would like to see an increase in papers from South America. I know there is high-quality research happening there, and I want to reach out to these South American authors. I encourage them to ask for help in addressing language barriers (with an English manuscript), take time to understand the peer review process and, most importantly, to not get discouraged by the criticism from reviewers. You can do it!

ASCE Publications: Any advice for new researchers starting out?

Bombardelli: A long time ago I read an interview with Francis Crick, discoverer of the double helix, who said – this is not a precise quote – “you need to be persistent, have good judgement, and a little luck.” My advice to new researchers is to apply good judgement, pick good topics that you are passionate about; but also, be prepared for disappointments. No one will be able to move forward without facing obstacles. Take the criticism, learn from it, and move forward. Apply persistence, good judgment, and hard work, and you will succeed. The good luck also does play a part. In research, many things happen in a very serendipitous way!

On a last note, I like a quote attributed to Picasso, who when asked if inspiration existed, said “Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working!”

Submit a manuscript to the Journal of Hydraulic Engineering.