Paul Kinder

Dr. Paul Kinder is the Director of the West Virginia Water Research Institute (WVWRI) at West Virginia University, where he leads statewide efforts to advance water science, policy, and community resilience. A proud West Virginia native, Dr. Kinder has devoted his career to the stewardship, restoration, and sustainable management of the state’s environmental and water resources. His work reflects both a professional commitment and a lifelong personal passion for protecting the rivers, streams, and watersheds that define West Virginia’s landscape and communities. Dr. Kinder received degrees from both West Virginia University and Ohio State University and has over 30 years’ experience working in the private and public sectors. He began his career working for the WV Division of Natural Resources in the 1990s as a biometric supervisor and GIS analyst. He moved on to become the Director of Science and Technology for the Canaan Valley Institute for over a decade. Dr. Kinder arrived at WVU in 2009 and served as a research scientist, until his appointment as Natural Resource Analysis Center director from 2017 to 2026. With a background in geospatial science, remote sensing, and water resources management, Dr. Kinder integrates cutting-edge technologies—including GIS, drone-based data collection, and spatial analytics—into applied research that directly supports decision-making. His work spans stream habitat restoration, watershed assessment, nonpoint source pollution analysis, and the application of GeoAI tools to better understand environmental change and infrastructure vulnerability. Through this interdisciplinary approach, he advances data-driven solutions that strengthen ecological integrity while supporting economic and community development. As Director of WVWRI, Dr. Kinder leads the Institute’s role in implementing the U.S. Geological Survey’s Water Resources Research Act program in West Virginia. He prioritizes collaboration across state and federal agencies, academic researchers, watershed groups, industry partners, and local communities to ensure that research investments translate into practical benefits for the people of West Virginia. His leadership is grounded in responsiveness to stakeholder needs, transparent science communication, and the cultivation of partnerships that enhance the state’s water security and resilience. Throughout his career, Dr. Kinder has remained deeply committed to education and workforce development. He has mentored students in applied research projects focused on watershed/landscape assessment, stream restoration, remote sensing, and geospatial analysis, preparing the next generation of environmental resource professionals to serve West Virginia and beyond. Dr. Kinder’s vision for WVWRI centers on strengthening science-to-practice pathways, expanding collaborative research capacity, and ensuring that sound water science informs policy, planning, and community action across the Mountain State.

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