Team Members

Nate Jones (Lead Instigator)

​Nate is an interdisciplinary water scientist focused on improving the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of our water resources.  His work spans gradients in hydrologic connectivity (e.g., upland wetlands, intermittent streams, and large-rivers), spatial scales (e.g., individual soil aggregates to watersheds), and disciplinary boundaries (e.g., engineering, environmental science, and the social sciences). 

​Jones CV

​Ashleigh Kirker (Postdoc)
Ashleigh is a postdoctoral scientist using hydrologic modeling and storm sampling to understand connectivity in flooded wetlands and steams. She received her Ph.D. in Geosciences from Temple University where she focused on the spatial variability of runoff pathways in urban catchments. She is especially excited the integration of field work with distributed surface-subsurface models.

Adam Siders (Postdoc)
Adam is a postdoctoral researcher studying salt marshes in Mobile Bay. Adam has a broad background in aquatic ecology and is especially interested in the role of animals in ecosystem function, resource subsidies, and food webs. He received his PhD from the University of Florida where he studied the effects of migrating manatees on spring-fed ecosystems during their annual winter migrations from the ocean to freshwater springs.

​Delaney Peterson (PhD Candidate)
Delaney is a PhD candidate interested in understanding the connections between groundwater and surface water across systems and scales. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a BS in water resources (as well as a BA in religion & culture and a minor in Appalachian studies), and studied the impacts of soil morphology on water chemistry. Her research at UA is focused on using physiography to understand and predict streamflow and drying across the Southeastern US, and is interested in integrating empirical data across dimensions and scales with publicly available data to better understand how non-perennial streams influence watershed water quantity and quality.  
Lidia Molina Serpas (PhD Student)
Lidia is a PhD student in both the Biogeochemistry and Ecohydrology lab where she is investigating the effects of flooding on biogeochemical function in wetland systems. She graduated from Gettysburg College with a BS in Environmental Studies and a minor in Biology. She received her MS in Geography from Auburn University where she investigated the effects of prescribed fire on soil properties and nutrient dynamics in a forested wetland watershed.​

Alisha Webb (PhD Student)
​Alisha is interested in examining the use of hydrologic and remote sensing data to better understand water resources. She received a bachelor’s degree in geological science with a minor in GIS from Salem State University, and a master’s degree in geoscience with a concentration in water science from Georgia State University. Her current thesis work involves the development of methods to more accurately map and predict private well water contamination in North Carolina.

Shelbie Kellum (PhD Student)
​Shelbie is a PhD student studying the changes in plant species composition and topography over time in coastal ecosystems. She’s interested in research involving reconstructing histories and developing future strategies to mitigate environmental degradation in the Southeast. She obtained her bachelor’s in biology from the Mississippi University for Women and is currently working on her master’s in geography at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her thesis work concerns identifying potential pond breeding sites for the critically endangered dusky gopher frog using remote sensing and field observations. 

Jasmine Morejon (MS Student)
​Jasmine is a M.S. student studying the relationship between wetland connectivity and concentration-discharge relationships.  She received her B.S. in Environmental Geology from Florida Gulf Coast University and her undergrad research focused on saltwater intrusion in groundwater and its relation to vegetation change on barrier islands.  
New Lab Member [Maybe You?]
We are always looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our lab.  See opportunities page for more info!


​Team Alumni


Kaci Zarek (MS Student, 2022-2024)
​Kaci's MS thesis focused on on hydrologic connectivity and nitrogen biogeochemistry in headwater systems. She is now pursing a PhD at Cornell studying pond biogeochemistry!

Zachary Foley (MS Student, 2022-224)
​Zachary's MS thesis focused on drivers of Bald Cypress cambium cell development!  He is now a PhD student at the University of Idaho studying climate change using wood dendrochronology and wood anatomy techniques!

Ania Gruchala (Wundergrad, 2021-2024)

​Ania was one of our long-term undergrad researchers. She helped us with everything from water isotope analyses, to stream surveys, and spatial analysis. She was awarded the Fulbright Fellowship in 2024, and is currently studying floodplain biogeochemistry in Pland!

Dr Corianne Tatariw (Visiting Scientist, Summer 2023)

Dr Tatariw is an ecosystem biogeochemist who specializes in nitrogen transformations in variably inundated ecosystems and their response to global change. She has worked across the terrestrial-marine continuum, from headwater watersheds to coastal salt marshes. She is now an assistant professor in the Department of Environmental Science at Rowan University and CO-PI on the Floodpulse Project. 

Matt Shockey, MS (2020-2022)
Matt's MS thesis focused on how hydrologic connectivity impacted the spatial distribution of tree species and ecosystem function in bottomland hardwood forests. 

Matt is now a high school biology teacher in Hueytown, AL!