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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

Bison and cattle grazing management, bare ground coverage, and links to suspended sediment concentrations in grassland streams

Grudzinski, B.P., M.D. Daniels, K. Anibas, and D. Spencer. 2016. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 52(1):16–30.

Baseflow physical characteristics differ at multiple spatial scales in stream networks across diverse biomes

Rüegg, J., W.K. Dodds, M.D. Daniels, et al. 2015. Landscape Ecology  31(1):119–136.

Carbon pools in stream-riparian corridors: legacy of disturbance along mountain streams of south-eastern Wyoming

Ruffing, C.M., K.A. Dwire, and M.D. Daniels. 2015. Earth Surfaces Processes and Landforms 41(2):208–223.

How big of an effect do small dams have? Using geomorphological footprints to quantify spatial impact of low-head dams and identify patterns of across-dam variation

Fencl, J.S., M.E. Mather, K.H. Costigan, and M.D. Daniels. 2015. PLoS ONE 10(11):e0141210.

Opinion: endogenizing culture in sustainability science research and policy

Caldasa, M.M., M.R. Sanderson, M. Mather, M.D. Daniels, J.S. Bergtold, J. Aistrup, J.L. Heier Stamm, D. Haukosc, K. Douglas-Mankin, A.Y. Sheshukov, and D.Lopez-Carr. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 112(27):8157–8159.

See all publications by Stroud Center authors

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