Menu

Watershed Biogeochemistry Group

960 720 Stroud Water Research Center

The main focus of the Watershed Biogeochemistry Group is to investigate major elemental cycles in streams and their watersheds, particularly carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus pools and fluxes. We are especially interested in quantifying and characterizing the rich array of organic molecules that exist in stream ecosystems, and serve as the main food source to microorganisms and consequently to all biological communities. Throughout the watershed, water is found in many places beyond stream channels, including aquifers, soils, and sediments. Our biogeochemistry laboratory has the capabilities to perform a wide range of chemistry analyses in water samples from all these places.

Watershed Biogeochemistry Staff

Sara Geleskie Damiano

Sara Damiano

Staff Scientist
Headshot of Michael Gentile.

Michael Gentile

Staff Scientist
Daniel Myers

Daniel Myers, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Associate
Diana Oviedo-Vargas, Ph.D.

Diana Oviedo Vargas, Ph.D.

Assistant Research Scientist
Sherman Roberts

Sherman Roberts

Staff Scientist

Watershed Biogeochemistry News

Publication title with image of a mayfly
Elucidating stream bacteria utilizing terrestrial dissolved organic matter
Akinwole, P., L. Kaplan, and R. Findlay. 2021. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology 37, article 32.
Diana Oviedo-Vargas downloading data from a sensor located in White Clay Creek to a field laptop.
Oviedo Vargas Shares Her STEM Career Journey
The Stroud Center biogeochemist was featured in a women-in-STEM webinar series hosted by EarthEcho International.
Publication title with image of a mayfly
Effect of decreasing biological lability on dissolved organic matter dynamics in streams
Li, A., J.D. Drummond, J.C. Bowen, R.M. Cory, L.A. Kaplan, and A.I. Packman. 2020. Water Resources Research 57(2): e2020WR027918.
Photo of a farm with a large muddy area with cattle.
A Small Farm Offers Big Opportunities for Measuring Watershed Restoration Success
Stream restorations rarely get monitored rigorously enough to determine if the “patient” has fully recovered.
Aerial photographs of a recovering forest along White Clay Creek in Pennsylvania.
Patience is the Mother of Science: Long-Term Responses of a Stream to Reforestation
We're studying how White Clay Creek can recover from deforestation and agricultural expansion and to what extent restoration practices can acclerate that recovery.
Diana Oviedo Vargas and Melinda Daniels in a Costa Rican forest.
Stream Reach: Building Communities from White Clay Creek to the Yangtze Basin
To truly make a difference requires, not only understanding freshwater systems, but working with all kinds of communities to protect them.