Welcome

My specialty area in civil engineering is water resources engineering. I have studied water resources by field observation, mathematical modeling, and laboratory physical modeling. My interest in water resources stems from my undergraduate introduction to engineering and some crazy idea of wanting to design zoos. I enjoy water resources engineering because of its interdisciplinary connection to many things, such as social history and policy, ecosystem health, and environmental sustainability.

 

EDUCATION

B.S. Civil Engineering, Bucknell University, 1998

M.S. Civil Engineering, University of California, Davis, 2001

Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Penn State University, 2007

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Fluvial processes and geomorphology of rivers and streams

• Effects of hydraulic structures on stream channel response

• Management and mitigation of stream channels near bridge crossings

• Groundwater and surface-water interactions with respect to rivers, streams, and wetlands

• Management of water resources to support the natural environment and society

 

OTHER WORK AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

As a master's student, I was an intern at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Center (HEC). In between my studies, I have had a wide range of other work and research experience. I was a consulting water resources staff engineer with Dewberry and Davis, LLC (now Dewberry) where I worked on floodplain analysis, and hydrologic and hydraulic modeling for bridges and stormwater management. I also worked at the U.S. Geological Survey in Reston, VA with the National Research Program. My supervisor was Dr. Judson Harvey, and I gained valuable experience in field research while studying groundwater and surface water interactions with an interdisciplinary team of scientists.  I have been quite fortunate to have opportunities to be trained by outstanding experts in the hydrology, geology, and water resources fields (see my "family tree" image).