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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

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.

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.

See all publications by Stroud Center authors

Related News

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.

Going to Extremes

The Stroud Center is engaged in research aimed at creating and testing new land-management practices to address issues raised by increased weather extremes.

Most-Used Pesticides Pose Unknown Threat to Waterways, Subject of New Study

Approximately 95 percent of a neonicotinoid application washes into soil, streams, lakes, and elsewhere into the surrounding environment.

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.

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.

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.
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