My research integrates both high quality hydraulic and geologic information to develop new insights into how geology shapes groundwater flow and contaminant transport in heterogeneous geologic materials. I then use these insights to create improved approaches for delineating hydrostratigraphic units. Hydrostratigraphic units serve as the foundation for most groundwater models, guide the design of monitoring wells, and inform pumping well construction and water withdraw regulations. My approach prioritizes collection of multiple high-resolution field data sets from continuous cores, temporarily sealed boreholes, and multilevel systems to be most representative of flow system conditions away from the altered conditions of the borehole. One long term research theme where I’ve applied this approach focuses on using high-resolution head profiles as a diagnostic tool for delineating hydrostratigraphic units. I am also investigating hydrostratigraphic controls on exchanges between groundwater and surface water to improve our understanding of element and nutrient cycling and attenuation of complex contaminant mixtures.

I teach introductory environmental science courses and upper division hydrogeology courses. I also developed a comprehensive network of teaching wells and multilevel systems at the Ashton Prairie Living Laboratory (APLL) on the U Iowa campus. These wells and the long term monitoring data sets collected from them are used to support experiential learning in my own courses and a variety of other environmental science and engineering courses across campus.

Research Interests

• Hydrostratigraphy

• Groundwater contamination

• Groundwater flow systems

• Groundwater/surface water interactions

Research areas

• Water, soil, & surface processes

• Natural resources & sustainability

• Human environment interactions