Melinda Daniels, Ph.D.

Associate Research Scientist

• Principal Investigator, Fluvial Geomorphology Group
• 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. 610-268-2153, ext. 268
970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311

Interests and Expertise

My 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. These interests include fields such as river restoration, watershed management, and stream ecosystem science. Though much of it is theoretically based, all of my research is placed within the context of better understanding our impact on rivers, improving our management of rivers, and enabling our successful restoration of rivers. This includes the examination of how people perceive river environments and the process of communicating science to river managers and stakeholders. Essentially, my 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

• Associate Research Scientist, Stroud Water Research Center, 2013–present.
• 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

Bison and cattle grazing impacts on grassland stream morphology in the Flint Hills of Kansas

Grudzinski, B.P., and M.D. Daniels. 2018. Rangeland Ecology & Management 71(6):783–791.

An interdisciplinary approach to water management

Caldas, M., M. Daniels, J. Bergtold, M. Sanderson, M. Mather, J.H. Stamm, D. Haukos, A. Sheshukov, and J. Aistrup. 2018. Scientia.

Bison and cattle grazing impacts on baseflow suspended sediment concentrations within grassland streams

Grudzinski, B., C.M. Ruffing, M.D. Daniels, and M. Rawitch. 2018. Annals of the American Association of Geographers.

Our Watershed

Marcum-Dietrich, N., S. Kerlin, C. Staudt, and M. Daniels. 2018. The Science Teacher 85(2):39–48.

Impacts of stream riparian buffer land use on water temperature and food availability for fish

Albertson, L.K., V. Ouellet, and M.D. Daniels. 2018. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 33(1):195–210.

See all publications by Stroud Center authors

Related News

Videos

Stories From the Streams: Wonders of the Watershed

Nature has a perfect way of insuring that rainwater sustains the planet. Episode 7 in the “Stories from the Streams” series from WHYY TV12 ... Read More

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Stories From the Streams: Saving Soil, Saving Streams

Learn how farmers and scientists can work together to maintain the health of soil and streams. Episode 2 in the “Stories from the Streams” series from WHYY TV12 ... Read More

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Research Reveals Caddisflies are Ecosystem Engineers

Hydropsychid caddisflies spin silk mesh nets that they use to filter feed. These nets are important ecosystem engineering structures in flowing waters ... Read More

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Scientists Monitor New Wetland Designed for Flood Control and Improved Stream Habitat

Because of flooding caused by Hurricane Sandy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation provided Stroud Water Research Center with a $3 million grant to reduce flooding across the 1,800-acre White Clay Creek watershed by 40 percent ... Read More

News, Podcasts

Nature’s Engineers: Beavers Provide Benefits to Streams

“Before European colonization, beavers would have been ubiquitous across the northern United States Great Lakes region,” explains Melinda Daniels, Associate Research Scientist and Principal Investigator of the Fluvial Geomorphology Group ... Read More

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Land Use Effects on Stream Thermal Regime

In this project, we measure stream temperatures throughout a series of small watersheds with land use ranging from very urbanized to completely forested to develop a predictive model of stream temperature changes ... Read More