Individuals

Jordan Clark
Earth Science/ Environmental Studies

Professor Clark’s research focuses on topics in the field of aqueous geochemistry. By analyzing anthropogenic and natural tracers in bodies of water, Professor Clark is able to study how flow patterns affect the quality of water, the transfer of water, and gas exchange across the air-water interface. His current research projects include the chemical evolution of shallow groundwater, groundwater flow near managed aquifer recharge sites, and stream/ground water interactions in alpine watershed. In the past, he has also examined the fate of methane near shallow hydrocarbon seeps.

Scott Cooper
Ecology Evolution & Marine Biology

Dr. Cooper’s research has been centered on the factors that determine the abundances and distributions of aquatic organisms. Past research foci have included the impacts of acid deposition, livestock grazing, pollution, climate change, exotic species, and native species loss on freshwater ecosystems. Currently, much of his work revolves around the effects of land use changes, fire, and forestry practices on streams in California.

Marine Science Institute
Santa Barbara Channel Long-term Ecological Restoration Program

Thomas Dunne
Bren

Dr. Dunne’s research has focused on issues related to natural hazards and resource management. His current research interests include hydrology, sediment transport, and river channel change in lowland floodplains in California and the Amazon basin. Related activities include studies of how physical and biological processes interact to create and maintain habitat for fish and their food sources in the Merced River, CA, and how flow regulation in the San Joaquin River, CA, interacts with natural environmental conditions to affect water temperatures and spawning habitat.

Arturo Keller
Bren

Dr. Keller’s research focuses on the sustainable use of chemicals and materials in our modern society by understanding and quantifying their potential impacts and by seeking ways to minimize impacts while achieving the benefits. He is particularly interested in emerging materials such as nanoparticles and biochemicals, for which little information is available. He also does work at large scales to design better management strategies for common chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides.

American Chemical Society
American Geophysical Union
Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professor;
Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
Institute for Multi-scale Materials Studies

Edward Keller
Earth Science

Dr. Keller’s research is divided into the study of stream processes and tectonic activities. More specifically, he focuses on river restoration management, environmental effects of channelization, and the impact of large debris on river systems. Dr. Keller recently started a long-term research project that looks at the hydrology and ecology of small coastal lagoons in southern California.

Fellow, Geological Society of America

Hugo Loaiciga
Geography

Professor Loaiciga’s research focuses on planning, designing, and analyzing water resource systems, as well as on the computational aspects of surface and groundwater hydrology. He is currently looking at groundwater and earthquake hazards, as well as sea level rise and its effect on coastal freshwater aquifers. He is also working on the development of sustainable water and energy use through seawater desalination with solar energy.

Christina Tague
Bren

Dr. Tague studies ecohydrology. Her work examines climate and land use change impacts in the terrestrial environment by combining observed data with computer-based spatial models. She is currently investigating the impacts of climate change on ecosystem services and water resources in mountain regions, including the Western US, the European Alps, the Pyrenees, and select locations in China. Her work also examines how forest management practices and land development or urbanization alters biogeochemical cycling and water availability for watersheds throughout the US.

Association of American Geographers; American Geophysical Union; Ecological Society of America

Robert Wilkinson
Environmental Studies/ Bren

Dr. Wilkinson’s research is focused on water and energy policy with regards to climate change. He has analyzed US freshwater management policies, California water supply management, and climate change adaptation strategies.

Joan Florsheim
Earth Research Institute

Dr. Florsheim’s research focuses on sediment dynamics in fluvial systems and emphasizes interactions between geomorphic processes, climate, humans, and ecosystems. Current investigations include a field study to understand long and short-term recovery of chaparral environments in southern California following wildfire and quantification of a sediment budget in a coastal watershed in central California. Recent work focuses on channel incision and bank erosion (northern California), travertine morphology (China), and effects of climate variation and change (Central Valley).

Elisa Stratton
Earth Research Institute

Lisa Stratton has been the Director of Ecosystem Management for UCSB’s Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) since 2005. As the manager of the campus lagoon and other open space areas on campus, she has been active in pursuing opportunities to improve water quality and provide habitat through bioswales and treatment wetlands. In conjunction with students, Lisa and CCBER conduct research on water quality, hydrology, and biological diversity which provide evidence for the benefits of these features. Interpretive signs throughout campus and web site material make their work available to a broader audience.

Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration

Craig Nelson
Marine Science Institute

Craig Nelson’s research includes projects studying the microbiomes of humans and other animals and studying bacterial pathogens in natural water in the context of water quality.