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John Jackson, Ph.D.

500 500 Stroud Water Research Center
John Jackson, Ph.D.

Senior Research Scientist

  • Principal investigator, Entomology Group.
  • Adjunct professor of entomology and wildlife ecology, University of Delaware.
  • Adjunct professor of biology, University of Pennsylvania.

Contact

jkjackson@stroudcenter.org
tel. 610-268-2153, ext. 1226
970 Spencer Road, Avondale, PA 19311

Interests and Expertise

John Jackson’s research interests span a variety of applied and basic subjects, including population and evolutionary ecology of stream insects, the role of abiotic and biotic processes in determining the structure and function of stream assemblages, energy and nutrient exchange within streams and between streams and their surrounding watersheds, and benthic monitoring and water quality assessment. Specific projects that address these research interests include studies of growth and development of aquatic insects, the influence of dispersal, population dynamics, and environmental variation on genetic structure of stream organisms, the evolutionary and ecological significance of disturbance in aquatic insect ecology, spatial and temporal variation in the distribution and abundance of stream insects, and organic matter dynamics and secondary production. These studies have been located in temperate and/or tropical streams.

Education

  • Ph.D., entomology, University of California, Berkeley, California.
  • M.S., zoology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona.
  • B.S., biology (Honors), University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana.

Professional Experience

  • Senior research scientist, Stroud Water Research Center, 2007–present.
  • Adjunct professor, biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2001–present.
  • Adjunct Professor, entomology and wildlife ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, 1992–present.
  • Associate research scientist, Stroud Water Research Center, 1999–2007.
  • Fulbright senior scholar at Institut für Zoologie und Limnologie, Universität Innsbruck, Austria, 1998.
  • Postdoctoral research associate, assistant curator, and associate curator, Division of Environmental Research, Stroud Water Research Center, The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, 1990–1999.

Publications

Advancing freshwater science with sensor data collected by community scientists

Oviedo-Vargas, D., M. Peipoch, S.H. Ensign, D. Bressler, D.B. Arscott, and J.K. Jackson. 2024. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 22(6): e2748.

To achieve the Clean Water Act’s goals, prioritize upstream ecology

Ensign, S.H., D.B. Arscott, M. Daniels, C. Dow, J.K. Jackson, D. Oviedo-Vargas, and M. Peipoch. 2024. Water Resources IMPACT 26(3): 19–21.

Atlantic Coast rivers of the northeastern United States

Jackson, J.K., S.A. Entrekin, H.S. Greig, A.H. Roy. 2023. Pages 21–67 in M. Delong, T. Jardine, A. Benke, C. Cushing (editors), Rivers of North America. 2nd Ed. Elsevier, New York.

Oxygen limitation fails to explain upper chronic thermal limits and the temperature size rule in mayflies

Funk, D.H., B.W. Sweeney, and J.K. Jackson. 2021. Journal of Experimental Biology 224:jeb.233338.

Transcriptomic and life history responses of the mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer to chronic diel thermal challenge

Hsuan C., D.D. Jima, D.H. Funk, J.K. Jackson, B.W. Sweeney, and D.B. Buchwalter. 2020. Nature Scientific Reports 10:19119.

See publications by all Stroud Center authors

Too Hot to Handle: How Rising Temperature Impacts Streams

Human activities are increasing stream temperatures and harming habitat quality for freshwater fish and species like mayflies.

The Stream Restoration Puzzle

Stroud Water Research Center examines why freshwater ecosystem restoration often fails to meet water quality objectives.

Road Salt in Streams

Senior Research Scientist John Jackson recently spoke with WHYY's Studio 2 hosts about how road salt is contaminating waterways.

Scientist Weighs in on New Federal Rule to Protect Delaware River’s Endangered Fish

Stroud Water Research Center’s John Jackson, Ph.D., offers insights into the Delaware River’s history and possibilities for the future.

Stroud Center Collaborations Amplify Impact on Fresh Water

Scientists, educators, and watershed restoration professionals are working together to create long-lasting and positive impacts on waterways.

Sharing Our Knowledge of Watershed Restoration

The Stroud Center partnered with volunteers for two tree plantings, spread the word about agroforestry, and helped water professionals learn about soil health and water quality.