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Melinda Daniels, Ph.D.

500 500 Stroud Water Research Center

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

Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) and Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) summer thermal habitat use in streams with sympatric populations

Ouellet, V., and M. Daniels. 2021. Journal of Thermal Biology, early online access.

Swimming through the urban heat island: can thermal mitigation practices reduce the stress?

Timm, A., V. Ouellet, and M. Daniels. 2020. River Research and Applications 36(10): 1973-1984.

Teaching Environmental Sustainability – Model My Watershed: curriculum and teacher guide

Kerlin, S., M. Daniels, C. Staudt, and N. Marcum-Dietrich. 2019. Projects at Concord Consortium’s website.

Evaluating environmental change and behavioral decision-making for sustainability policy using an agent-based model: a case study for the Smoky Hill River Watershed, Kansas

Granco, G., J.L. Heier, J. Stamm, J.S. Bergtold, M.D. Daniels, et.al. 2019. Science of The Total Environment 695:133769.

Forest restoration on floodplains mantled with legacy sediments: removing sediments appears unnecessary for successful restoration

Sweeney, B.W., A. Dunbar, C.L. Dow, and M.D. Daniels. 2019. Restoration Ecology 27(6): 1220-1230.

See all publications by Stroud Center authors

Related News

Why Is New York City Studying Pennsylvania’s Lehigh River?

Melinda Daniels, Ph.D., was interviewed as part of an NPR story about a study that’s causing concern among Pennsylvanians who depend on the river for their livelihoods.

Dam, Dam Go Away: A Wild and Scenic Vision for America’s Rivers

Learn about the policy and science of dam removal, federal protections for the free-flowing Delaware River, and the story of the Wild and Scenic Musconetcong River.

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.

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.

Mimicking Mother Nature to Protect Clean Water

Stroud Center scientists are pioneering a scientifically valid way to simulate rain to study the links between farming practices and healthy streams.

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.

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