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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

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.

Projected climate change impacts on hydrologic flow regimes in the Great Plains of Kansas

Chatterjee, S., M.D. Daniels, A.Y. Sheshukov, and J. Gao. 2018. River Research and Applications 34(3):195–206.

Riparian and geomorphic controls on thermal habitat dynamics of pools in a temperate headwater stream

Ouellet, V., E.E. Gibson, M.D. Daniels, and N.A. Watson. 2017. Ecohydrology 10:e1891.

Conservation Reserve Program mitigates grassland loss in the lesser prairie-chicken range of Kansas

Spencer, D., D. Haukos, C. Hage, M. Daniels, and D. Goodin. 2017. Global Ecology and Conservation 9:21–38.

See all publications by Stroud Center authors

Related News

Water Science Careers: Fluvial Geomorphology

Melinda Daniels, Ph.D., describes her work as a fluvial geomorphologist at Stroud Water Research Center.

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The WikiWatershed toolkit was awarded the 2017 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

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Sharing Our Science: Winter-Spring 2016

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2015 Stroud Center Publications

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Stream-Monitoring Technology Saves Time and Keeps Scientists Safe

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