Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network (UREx-SRN)
Current research focused on quantifying water source contributions to urban flooding across a range of climate scenarios and infrastructural modifications. Our team employs a combined biogeochemical and geographic modeling approach to determine how urban density and structural complexity (i.e. road and canal networks) influence flood generation and downstream nutrient loading. As part of the UREx SRN team, my research contributes to an interdisciplinary framework that identifies more resilient approaches to urban infrastructure development.
Current research focused on quantifying water source contributions to urban flooding across a range of climate scenarios and infrastructural modifications. Our team employs a combined biogeochemical and geographic modeling approach to determine how urban density and structural complexity (i.e. road and canal networks) influence flood generation and downstream nutrient loading. As part of the UREx SRN team, my research contributes to an interdisciplinary framework that identifies more resilient approaches to urban infrastructure development.
The urban flood pulse concept: quantifying spatiotemporal variability in low- and high-flow patterns in urban versus non-urban streams and rivers
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Seasonal rainfall and tidal dynamics control dissolved organic matter and carbon bioavailability in coastal urban canal systems
Identifying Socio-Environmental Watershed Typologies Based on Stormwater Pollution Using Machine Learning (link)
National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) Graduate Pursuit Urban stormwater pollution poses a major and growing threat to local waterbodies, yet its study and management has consistently ignored the human activities and behaviors that release pollution. In this project, we combine high resolution data on socio-demographic status, environmental structure, and urban form infrastructure to model high level social, environmental, and technological system "SETS" interactions in urban systems contributing to stormwater pollution. These interactions and associated typologies can be used to identify primary drivers of change in water quality and highlight regions of a city in need of stormwater quality mitigation and alternative management. Results will suggest where public outreach may be needed to influence human behavior and will have implications for local urban planning policy. Overall, this project advances socio-environmental research, especially for urban areas, with its conceptual framework and methods that capture interactions between social and physical factors— with a high level of spatial detail— that together are determinants of environmental outcomes. |
Previous Research
In collaboration with Texas A&M AgriLife, several research projects were focused on investigating the effects of biophysical drivers on nutrient cycling at the ecosystem level. A suite of biogeochemical indicators, including stable isotopes and greenhouse gas emissions, were used to evaluate climatic change on a spatial and temporal scale. Recent projects included:
- Hydrologic influences on soil organic carbon loss using stable isotopes
- Gene expression and trait syndrome drought responses in Pinus taeda L. (loblolly pine)
- Influence of forest management on greenhouse gas emissions in southern pine forests (PINEMAP project)
- Spatial Evaluation of Trace Element Signatures Attributed to Local Physical and Oceanographic Processes.