The University of Guam has appointed Dr. Hiroshan Hettiarachchi, Dean of the School of Engineering (SENG), to concurrently serve as Director of the Water and Environmental Research Institute of the Western Pacific (WERI), effective April 16, 2025.

Dr. Hettiarachchi brings more than 25 years of experience in engineering, research, and sustainability leadership to this dual role. His appointment is a strategic move to strengthen collaboration between WERI and the School of Engineering and to advance UOG's mission of addressing critical water and environmental issues in Guam and the Pacific region.

"Dr. Hettiarachchi's extensive international background and leadership in sustainable resource management make him uniquely suited to lead WERI into a new era of innovation and community impact," said UOG President Anita Borja Enriquez.

Prior to joining UOG, Dr. Hettiarachchi served as an independent sustainability consultant in Michigan, focusing on circular economy, waste management, and geotechnical engineering. He has also held global leadership roles, including serving as Head of Waste Management at the United Nations University Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES) in Dresden, Germany, where he launched a doctoral program dedicated to integrated sustainability efforts.

Dr. Hettiarachchi holds a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, an M.S. in Soil Engineering from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka. His diverse experiences, working with Indigenous farmers and high-level policymakers alike, position him to bridge research with practical, real-world applications.

"I am honored to take on this expanded leadership role," Dr. Hettiarachchi said. "WERI and the School of Engineering have a shared commitment to sustainable development and resilience for Guam and the Pacific. I look forward to fostering greater collaboration, expanding research opportunities, and supporting our communities through innovation."

This leadership transition also includes the appointment of Dr. Ross Miller as Interim Associate Director of WERI. UOG thanks Dr. Yuming Wen for his service as Interim Director of WERI and for his ongoing contributions as a faculty member.

The dual leadership strategy reflects UOG's broader efforts to enhance interdisciplinary research, align research and academic units, and strategically consolidate leadership roles for greater efficiency and impact.

For more information about WERI, visit weri.uog.edu.