Sujay Kaushal
University of Maryland - College ParkAssistant Professor
Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center & Geology
skaushal@umd.edu
Research Interests: Research focuses on the ecology and biogeochemistry of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems, primarily through long-term studies in the Chesapeake Bay region. Research interests include: land use and climate impacts on water resources, urban watershed restoration, long-term trends in stream chemistry, human-impacted biogeochemical cycles, and applications of geochemical tracers to ecosystem ecology.
STUDENTS
Tammy Newcomer
University of Maryland - College Park
MEES Ph.D.Student
EPA NNEMS Fellowship, SEA Grant Fellowship, NSF G6-12 Fellowship
newcomer@umd.edu
Research Interests: I have previously investigated denitrification associated with natural and anthropogenic carbon sources as potential indicators of stream restoration success. I’m now using 15N stable isotope techniques to investigate the effects of ecosystem restoration on in situ rates of denitrification in BMPs and floodplain areas. I am also working with a team from EPA and UMD on a meta-analysis of the effectiveness of stream restoration.
Michael Pennino
University of Maryland - College Park/UMBC
MEES Ph.D.Student
NSF Doctoral Fellowship, NSF IGERT Fellowship, EPA NNEMS Fellowship
michael.pennino@gmail.edu
Research Interests: I am interested in studying the impact of stream restoration on biogeochemical cycling. I specifically want to know how stream restoration strategies can improve the stability and resilience of denitrification hotspots - areas of high nitrogen uptake and removal. I hope to correlate the location and persistence of denitrification hotspots with certain stream hydrogeomorphic features, and the availability of organic matter and nutrients.
Rose Smith
University of Maryland - College Park
Geology Ph.D.Student
SEA Grant Fellowship
rsmith24@umd.edu
Research Interests: I am interested in hydrological and biogeochemical interactions in watersheds, and the ways that land use, ecosystem restoration and climate change, impact water quality. My research will focus on determining how these different drivers alter the sources of carbon and nitrogen, biogeochemical processes such as denitrification and trace gas emissions, and watershed scale carbon and nitrogen budgets. These questions can be addressed through a combination of field sample collection, stable isotope tracers, and watershed modeling. My research sites are located at the NSF supported Baltimore long-term ecological research site and Anacostia watershed of the NSF Washington D.C. ULTRA-EX observatory.
RESEARCH ASSOCIATES
Dr. Shuiwang Duan
Research Associate
Curriculum Vitae
sduan@umd.com
Research Interests: I am studying organic matter sources and composition, and how they affect nutrients, organic contaminants, and heavy metals in aquatic environments. I am investigating the effects of climate change and watershed landuse on water quality of streams, and using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) to predict future changes in nutrient and carbon inputs from land to the coastal ocean. I am also interested in hydrological model developments for tracking sources and in-stream processing of organic matter and nutrients.
Dr. Hong Deng
East China Normal University
Visiting Scientist
lilacdeng@gmail.com
Research Interests:I am interested in the field of phytoremediation, restoration ecology and wetland biogeochemistry. I am studying the behavior of contaminants in wetland ecosystems, especially how the oxidized rhizosphere affects metal and nutrient transportation in the water-sediment interface.
STAFF
Melissa Grese
University of Maryland - College Park
Faculty Research Assistant
mgrese1@gmail.com
ALUMNI AND PAST PERSONNEL
Gwen Stanko
M.S. MEES 2009: "Longitudinal Patterns in Streamwater Chemistry and Carbon and Nitrogen Mass Balances in Restored and Degraded Stream Networks."
Currently: AKRF, Inc., Environmental Scientist
Katie Delaney
M.S. MEES 2009: "Organic Nitrogen and Carbon Transformations in a Stream Network of Chesapeake Bay Watershed."
Currently: Presidential Management Fellow, US Forest Service, Sustainability Specialist
Currently: Presidential Management Fellow, US Forest Service, Sustainability Specialist
Carolyn Klocker
M.S. MEES 2007: "Whole stream nitrogen uptake and denitrification in a restored stream of the Chesapeake Bay."
Currently: Cooperative Extension, Cornell University
Kristy Hopfensperger
Ph.D. MEES 2007: "Effects of annual and perennial community dynamics on tidal freshwater marsh ecosystem functioning."
Currently: Assistant Professor, Northern Kentucky University