Meet Our Lab | Kaushal Lab

Sujay Kaushal

Professor, University of Maryland - College Park
Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center & Geology
skaushal@umd.edu

Research Focus:

The ecology and biogeochemistry of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems, primarily through long-term studies in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Current Students

Joe Galella

Geology Ph.D

University of Maryland - College Park

Research Focus: Freshwater salinization has been shown to affect much of temperate North America and Europe. Positive trends in freshwater specific conductance, base cations and pH have been observed in datasets spanning the past 50 years. However, little is known about the effects of salinization at smaller temporal timescales. Preliminary results indicate that salinization induces both base cation exchange and increased metal mobility during and after winter precipitation events. Salts may also be accumulating in groundwater and soils surrounding road networks, never being fully flushed out of the system during the summer and fall.

Carol Morel

Kelsey Wood

Research Associate

Dr. Shuiwang Duan

University of Maryland - College Park Research Associate

sduan@umd.com

Research Focus: 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.

Faculty Assistant

Jenna Reimer

Faculty Assistant

University of Maryland, College Park

jreimer@umd.edu

B.S. Geology from University of Maryland, College Park

Alumni and Past Personnel

Former Graduate Students

SH

Shahan Haq

Ph.D. Geology 2018: "Effects of Salinization on Base Cation, Nutrient, Carbon, and Trace Metal Biogeochemistry in Human-Impacted Rivers in the Eastern US"

Currently: RMS Consulting, San Francisco, CA

TD

Tom Doody

Ph.D. Geology 2017: "Hydrological, Biological, and Geochemical Relationships among Carbon, Nitrogen, and Base Cations in Restored and Unrestored Urban Streams"

Currently: USGS, Reston, Va

Rose Smith

Ph.D. Geology 2016: "Dissolved and

Gaseous Fluxes of Carbon and Nitrogen from Urban Watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay"

Currently: Research Assistant Professor, Biology at the University of Utah

Michael Pennino

Ph.D. MEES 2016: "Sources and Transformations of Nitrogen and Carbon in Urban Watersheds"

Currently: Princeton University, NJ; U.S. EPA

Tammy Newcomer-Johnson

Ph.D. MEES 2015: “Nitrogen Uptake and Denitrification in Restored and Degraded-Urban Streams: Impacts of Organic Carbon and Integrated Stormwater Management”

Currently: Ecologist with US Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development in Cincinnati, OH.

Gwen Sivirichi

M.S. MEES 2009: "Longitudinal Patterns in Streamwater Chemistry and Carbon and Nitrogen Mass Balances in Restored and Degraded Stream Networks."

Currently: AKRF Environmental Consulting, MD

Katie Delaney

M.S. MEES 2009: "Organic Nitrogen and Carbon Transformations in a Stream Network of Chesapeake Bay Watershed."

Currently: US Forest Service, OR

Carolyn Klocker

M.S. MEES 2007: "Whole Stream Nitrogen Uptake and Denitrification in a Restored Stream of the Chesapeake Bay."

Currently: Cornell University Cooperative Education, NY

Kristy Hopfensperger

Ph.D. MEES 2007: "Effects of Annual and Perennial Community Dynamics on Tidal Freshwater Marsh Ecosystem Functioning." (co-advised)

Currently: Associate Professor, Northern Kentucky University; Director, Environmental Science Program