Current lab members
Arden Burrell
Research Associate
Personal web-page
Arden uses remote sensing to evaluate post-disturbance land-cover trajectory. We are currently working on a NASA-funded project to evaluate the trajectory of vegetation re-establishment post-disturbance in Arctic and Boreal land scapes across the NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability domain.
Research Associate
Personal web-page
Arden uses remote sensing to evaluate post-disturbance land-cover trajectory. We are currently working on a NASA-funded project to evaluate the trajectory of vegetation re-establishment post-disturbance in Arctic and Boreal land scapes across the NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability domain.
Hannah Richardson
PhD student
MS Boise State
Research topic: Forest hydrology, carbon cycling, and stream metabolism (under development)
PhD student
MS Boise State
Research topic: Forest hydrology, carbon cycling, and stream metabolism (under development)
Lauren Kremer
PhD student
MS New Mexico State University
Research topic: Mapping and modeling the role of forest disturbance in watershed hydrology and carbon cycling
PhD student
MS New Mexico State University
Research topic: Mapping and modeling the role of forest disturbance in watershed hydrology and carbon cycling
Madeline (Maddie) Roberts
MS Student
Research topic: Erosional consequences of steep slope logging
MS Student
Research topic: Erosional consequences of steep slope logging
Lab alumni
Libby Mohr
MS Fall 2023
Research topic: The effect of net-spinning caddisflies on nitrate uptake in stream mesocosms
MS Fall 2023
Research topic: The effect of net-spinning caddisflies on nitrate uptake in stream mesocosms
Allie Rhea
PhD Watershed Science 2022
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow
Research topic: Long-term impacts of forest fires on nutrient retention and cycling in headwater systems
PhD Watershed Science 2022
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow
Research topic: Long-term impacts of forest fires on nutrient retention and cycling in headwater systems
Alex Brooks
PhD Watershed Science, December 2021
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow
MEM Duke University
Research topic: Land use and river-floodplain connectivity implications to streamflow dynamics
PhD Watershed Science, December 2021
NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow
MEM Duke University
Research topic: Land use and river-floodplain connectivity implications to streamflow dynamics
Garrett Dickson
Professional MS
Watershed Science - Working on various forest disturbance hydrology projects that are collaborative with USFS
Professional MS
Watershed Science - Working on various forest disturbance hydrology projects that are collaborative with USFS
Marin MacDonald
Undergraduate Researcher
BS Watershed Science
Research topic: Evaluating the role of forest land cover and carbon character and respiration
Undergraduate Researcher
BS Watershed Science
Research topic: Evaluating the role of forest land cover and carbon character and respiration
Karin Emanuelson
MS Watershed Science, May 2021
Research topic: Stoichiometric and transport controls on stream nutrient uptake
MS Watershed Science, May 2021
Research topic: Stoichiometric and transport controls on stream nutrient uptake
Andy Rohlf
Undergraduate Researcher
BS Watershed Science
Research Topic: Assisting Karin Emanuelson with Stoichiometric and transport controls on stream nutrient uptake.
Undergraduate Researcher
BS Watershed Science
Research Topic: Assisting Karin Emanuelson with Stoichiometric and transport controls on stream nutrient uptake.
Julia Young
Undergraduate Researcher
BS Watershed Science
Research topic: Evaluating the influence on sediment-phosphate sorption interactions on estimates of in-stream phosphate uptake; And, Quantifying denitrification potentials in hyporheic sediments of forested and agricultural streams
Undergraduate Researcher
BS Watershed Science
Research topic: Evaluating the influence on sediment-phosphate sorption interactions on estimates of in-stream phosphate uptake; And, Quantifying denitrification potentials in hyporheic sediments of forested and agricultural streams
Devin Hunt
Undergraduate Researcher
BS Watershed Science
Research topic: Forest land cover controls on hillslope processes
Undergraduate Researcher
BS Watershed Science
Research topic: Forest land cover controls on hillslope processes
Aaron Birkemeir
Professional MS Watershed Science
Watershed Science - USFS forest change hydrology
Professional MS Watershed Science
Watershed Science - USFS forest change hydrology
Megan Moore
MS Watershed Science, December 2018
Research topic: Acid mine drainage impacts in the upper Arkansas River Basin: A study of water quality, treatment efficiency, and predicted longevity
MS Watershed Science, December 2018
Research topic: Acid mine drainage impacts in the upper Arkansas River Basin: A study of water quality, treatment efficiency, and predicted longevity
Tom Smrdel
MS Watershed Science, December 2018
Research topic: Monitoring channel morphology using airborne LiDAR and hydraulic modeling on the central Platte River
MS Watershed Science, December 2018
Research topic: Monitoring channel morphology using airborne LiDAR and hydraulic modeling on the central Platte River
Tristan Weiss
MS Watershed Science, May 2018
Research topic: Exploring seasonal trends in the transformation and flux of DOC in a beaver-influenced mountain meadow
MS Watershed Science, May 2018
Research topic: Exploring seasonal trends in the transformation and flux of DOC in a beaver-influenced mountain meadow
Pam Wegener
MS Watershed Science, May 2016
Research topic: Combined influences of hydrologic connectivity and nutrient uptake on system-scale retention
MS Watershed Science, May 2016
Research topic: Combined influences of hydrologic connectivity and nutrient uptake on system-scale retention
Dani Palm
Undergraduate REU researcher
BS Watershed Science, May 2019
Research topic: Exploring Diel Fluxes in Hydrologic and Chemical Signals along the North Saint Vrain
Undergraduate REU researcher
BS Watershed Science, May 2019
Research topic: Exploring Diel Fluxes in Hydrologic and Chemical Signals along the North Saint Vrain
Jess Jackman
Undergraduate honors student researcher
BS Watershed Science, May 2019
Research topic: Analyzing nitrogen retention in post-flood riparian restoration projects after application of soil amendments
Undergraduate honors student researcher
BS Watershed Science, May 2019
Research topic: Analyzing nitrogen retention in post-flood riparian restoration projects after application of soil amendments
Val Doebley
Undergraduate honors student researcher
BS Watershed Science, May 2017
Research topic: Understanding Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in River-floodplain Meadows of Rocky Mountain National Park
Undergraduate honors student researcher
BS Watershed Science, May 2017
Research topic: Understanding Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities in River-floodplain Meadows of Rocky Mountain National Park
Melissa Miller
Undergraduate honors student researcher
BS Watershed Science, May 2016
Research topic: Differences in soil physical and biogeochemical properties in wet vs. dry valley meadows
Undergraduate honors student researcher
BS Watershed Science, May 2016
Research topic: Differences in soil physical and biogeochemical properties in wet vs. dry valley meadows
Joe DiMaria
Undergraduate honors student researcher; NSF S-STEM Fellow
BS Watershed Science, May 2016
Research topic: Hydrologic Exchange In A River-Fed Active Beaver Meadow
Now research technician with USFS
Undergraduate honors student researcher; NSF S-STEM Fellow
BS Watershed Science, May 2016
Research topic: Hydrologic Exchange In A River-Fed Active Beaver Meadow
Now research technician with USFS
Information on joining our group:
You can find information about applying to graduate school at MSU here.
Some modest advice on graduate school.
Some thoughts on your initial approach:
It is strongly recommended that you identify a faculty mentor prior to applying to graduate school. Once you have identified a faculty member with whom you feel your research interests align you should contact them to see if they are indeed accepting students and (if they are) to initiate a dialogue about the possibility of pursuing your graduate degree(s) in their lab. When you contact a potential faculty advisor you should be familiar with some of their work (i.e., read their papers) and should present them with a cogent letter of intent and a current CV (resume). You should clearly articulate why you want to go to graduate school and why you wish to join their lab group.
What to expect if you join the Watershed Analysis Research Group:
The research in our group combines both field and modeling perspectives. All students will be expected to spend considerable time in the field and develop that skill set. My personal background is largely in field-based hydrology and I believe in the importance of the field experience. However, quantitative capabilities are a must and those who will excel will be able to blend the two. Don't worry - you need not be able to do so yet - that is what graduate school is for - but you should have a strong desire to pursue that path. Academic backgrounds from earth science, environmental science, ecology, and engineering (among others) are all encouraged - we are open to all sorts of backgrounds and future ambitions. I encourage all interested students to contact me about potential projects.
Here are some graduate and postdoctoral fellowship opportunities. These fellowships provide stipend, tuition, and (in some cases) funds to help with research expenses. I would be happy to help interested students in developing a research fellowship proposal - so please contact me if you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities (see the 'Links' tab for information on the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) at MSU).
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships - EAR and DEB
NASA FINESST
Ernest F. Holland Undergraduate Scholarship
You can find information about applying to graduate school at MSU here.
Some modest advice on graduate school.
Some thoughts on your initial approach:
It is strongly recommended that you identify a faculty mentor prior to applying to graduate school. Once you have identified a faculty member with whom you feel your research interests align you should contact them to see if they are indeed accepting students and (if they are) to initiate a dialogue about the possibility of pursuing your graduate degree(s) in their lab. When you contact a potential faculty advisor you should be familiar with some of their work (i.e., read their papers) and should present them with a cogent letter of intent and a current CV (resume). You should clearly articulate why you want to go to graduate school and why you wish to join their lab group.
What to expect if you join the Watershed Analysis Research Group:
The research in our group combines both field and modeling perspectives. All students will be expected to spend considerable time in the field and develop that skill set. My personal background is largely in field-based hydrology and I believe in the importance of the field experience. However, quantitative capabilities are a must and those who will excel will be able to blend the two. Don't worry - you need not be able to do so yet - that is what graduate school is for - but you should have a strong desire to pursue that path. Academic backgrounds from earth science, environmental science, ecology, and engineering (among others) are all encouraged - we are open to all sorts of backgrounds and future ambitions. I encourage all interested students to contact me about potential projects.
Here are some graduate and postdoctoral fellowship opportunities. These fellowships provide stipend, tuition, and (in some cases) funds to help with research expenses. I would be happy to help interested students in developing a research fellowship proposal - so please contact me if you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities (see the 'Links' tab for information on the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) at MSU).
The NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program
NSF Postdoctoral Fellowships - EAR and DEB
NASA FINESST
Ernest F. Holland Undergraduate Scholarship