Randy Locke is a Principal Research Scientist and Illinois Licensed Professional Geologist at the Illinois State Geological Survey at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. He has 30 years of applied research, technical review, project management, mentoring, and leadership experience. He is the head of the ISGS Geochemistry Section, a group of 8 full-time scientists and staff engaged in a range of research and analytical services relevant to Illinois' economic, energy, and environmental issues. Randy has served and chaired numerous technical panels and professional committees at regional, state, national, and international levels.
Current programs include:
Lead-PI on the Illinois Coal Ash Impoundment Assessment, a investigation from 2024-2027 to gather data and develop resources to aid prioritization of impoundments with significant potential to improve the cost, time, or efficacy of pollution mitigation or material beneficiation.
Since 2009, he has coordinated long-term environmental monitoring programs in Decatur, Illinois as part of U.S. Department of Energy funded efforts to determine the best approaches for capturing and storing carbon dioxide that might otherwise contribute to global climate change.
Since 1998, he has co-led a program funded by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to compile and interpret hydrogeological and geochemical information from Illinois nature preserves and other sites with high-quality natural communities so they can be protected and effectively managed by the State of Illinois.
Selected professional activities:
