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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

Fundamental spatial and temporal disconnections in the hydrology of an intermittent prairie headwater network

Costigan, K.H., M.D. Daniels, W.K. Dodds. 2015. Journal of Hydrology 522:305–316.

Disturbance legacies of historic tie-drives persistently alter geomorphology and large wood characteristics in headwater streams, southeast Wyoming

Ruffing, C., M. Daniels, and K.A. Dwire. 2015. Geomorphology 231:1–14.

The Stream Biome Gradient Concept: controlling factors of streams across broad biogeographic scales

Walter, K.D., K. Gido, M.R.While, M.D. Daniels, and B.P. Grudzinski. 2015. Freshwater Science 34(1):1–19.

Rapid response of a sand-dominated river to installation and removal of a temporary run-of-the-river dam

Costigan, K.H., C.M. Ruffing, M.D. Daniels, and J.S. Perkin. 2014. River Research and Applications 32(1):110–124.

Fragmentation and drying ratchet down Great Plains stream fish diversity

Perkin, J.S., K.B. Gido, K.H. Costigan, M.D. Daniels, and E.R. Johnson. 2014. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 25(5):639–655.

See all publications by Stroud Center authors

Related News

UpStream Newsletter, December 2013

Low Levels of Fracking Wastewater Highly Toxic to Mayflies: Stroud Center scientists find mayflies, whose presence indicates good water quality, are significantly affected by low levels of produced water.

Stroud Center Scientist to Advise U.S. Army Corps on Environmental Impacts

Melinda Daniels, Ph.D., has been appointed by Secretary of Defense Hagel to serve on the Environmental Advisory Board to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

UpStream Newsletter, July 2013

Where the Wells Run Dry: To predict the potential impact of climate variability, climate change, land use, and human activity on water resources in the Central Great Plains, Melinda Daniels, Ph.D., is leading a three-year research project recently funded by the National Science Foundation.

UpStream Newsletter, April 2013

Building New Ideas on Old Foundations: “The River Continuum Concept” remains the most-often cited paper in its field. So, when Melinda Daniels, Ph.D., wrote “The River Discontinuum,” people noticed.
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