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Melinda Daniels, Ph.D.

500 500 Stroud Water Research Center
Melinda Daniels, Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist

  • Principal investigator, Fluvial Geomorphology Group.
  • Adjunct professor, Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Pennsylvania.
  • Adjunct faculty, Department of Geography, Kansas State University.
  • Affiliate faculty, Department of Geography, University of Delaware.
  • Affiliate faculty, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Delaware.

Contact

mdaniels@stroudcenter.org
tel. 610-910-0044
970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311

Interests and Expertise

Melinda Daniels’ research program focuses broadly on the fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, and stream ecosystem ecology of both natural and human-modified river systems, from reach to watershed scales. Her interests include river restoration, watershed management, and stream ecosystem science. Though much of it is theoretically based, all of her research is placed within the context of better understanding our impact on rivers, improving river management, and enabling successful river restoration.

Daniels’ work includes examining how people perceive river environments and the process of communicating science to river managers and stakeholders. Essentially, her research perspective examines rivers as coupled human and natural systems.

Education

  • Ph.D., physical geography, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, Illinois.
  • Master of Research in environmental science, University College London, London, United Kingdom.
  • B.S., natural resources and environmental science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York.

Professional Experience

  • Senior research scientist, Stroud Water Research Center, 2023–present.
  • Associate research scientist, Stroud Water Research Center, 2013–2022.
  • Associate professor, Department of Geography, Physical and Environmental Geography, Kansas State University, 2010–2013.
  • Assistant professor, Department of Geography, Physical and Environmental Geography, Kansas State University, 2008–2010.
  • Assistant professor, Department of Geography, Physical and Environmental Geography, University of Connecticut, 2002–2008.
  • Instructor, University of Illinois, 2001–2002.
  • Research assistant and fellow, stream confluence dynamics, river restoration science, University of Illinois, 1998–2001.

Publications

Agricultural practices influence soil microbiome assembly and interactions at different depths identified by machine learning

Mo, Y., R. Bier, X. Li, M. Daniels, A. Smith, L. Yu, and J. Kan. 2024. Communications Biology 7, 1349.

Agricultural soil microbiomes differentiate in soil profiles with fertility source, tillage, and cover crops

Bier, R.L., M. Daniels, D. Oviedo-Vargas, M. Peipoch, J.R. Price, E. Omondi, A. Smith, and J. Kan. 2024. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 368: 109002.

To achieve the Clean Water Act’s goals, prioritize upstream ecology

Ensign, S.H., D.B. Arscott, M. Daniels, C. Dow, J.K. Jackson, D. Oviedo-Vargas, and M. Peipoch. 2024. Water Resources IMPACT 26(3): 19–21.

Agricultural practices influence soil microbiome assembly and interactions at different depths identified by machine learning

Mo, Y., R. Bier, X. Li, M. Daniels, A. Smith, and J. Kan. 2024. Microbiome, early online access.

Achieving success with RISE: A widely implementable, iterative, structured process for mastering interdisciplinary team science collaborations

Mather, M.E., G. Granco, J.S. Bergtold, M.M. Caldas, J.L. Heier Stamm, A.Y. Sheshukov, M.R. Sanderson, and M.D. Daniels. 2023. BioScience 73(12): 891–905.

See all publications by Stroud Center authors

Related News

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In the season six premiere of the Kindred Podcast, we talk about watersheds, their importance to humans and wildlife, and how people can both harm and restore them.

Make It Rain, Make It Rain

Why do scientists simulate rainfall for stormwater sampling? Find out from Senior Research Scientist Melinda Daniels, Ph.D.

Stroud Center Presents New Research to World’s Largest Group of Earth and Space Scientists

We shared our work with the broader scientific community, were inspired by the work of others, and mentored the next generation of freshwater scientists.

Stroud Center’s Melinda Daniels Advances to Senior Research Scientist

Daniels’ fluvial geomorphology research has yielded meaningful discoveries across diverse human–environment interactions.

Sharing Our Science at the National Monitoring Conference

Along with networking and learning state-of-the-art water quality monitoring techniques, we presented our research to hundreds of water quality specialists.

A Fresh Look at River Algae in the Delaware River Basin

A novel method to evaluate how algal concentration changes during river floods may be key to more accurately predicting how to keep algae under control. 
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