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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

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.

Occupied and abandoned structures from ecosystem engineering differentially facilitate stream community colonization

Tumolo, B.B., L.K. Albertson, W.F. Cross, M.D. Daniels, and L.S. Sklar, 2019. Ecosphere 10(5):e02734.

Understanding freshwater resource problems

Daniels, M., M. Caldas, J.H. Stamm, M. Sanderson, J. Bergtold, G. Granco, M. Mather, J. Alstrup, and D. Haukos. 2019. Open Access Government 2:320–321.

See all publications by Stroud Center authors

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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.

Mitigating the Effects of Extreme Rain Events

Fluvial Geomorphologist Melinda Daniels, Ph.D., was interviewed by NBC10 Philadelphia about how climate change is impacting flooding in our region and our research to combat it.

Sharing Our Science in Salt Lake City

Stroud Center scientists shared their work at the weeklong annual meeting of this premier international organization of aquatic scientists.
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