My central research theme is exploring how groundwater discharges influence surface water systems. Much of my focus revolves around locating and quantifying groundwater discharge zones and understanding their ecological significance. I focus on using the "right tools for the job", and considering layering method approaches ranging from advanced geophysical, isotopic, and thermal methods to core hydrologic methodology.
A major focus of my work is on how temperature patterns in streams are shaped by hydrogeological processes. I developed the PASTA tool (Paired Air and Stream Temperature Analysis) to analyze annual temperature signals and assess groundwater contributions to streamflow across scales.
I use a range of groundwater models to support a more comprehensive understanding of local and regional flowpaths, particularly as they intersect with societal concerns. For example, active projects include evaluating the impact of increasing groundwater levels on infrastructure, large-scale lithium mining, and the influence of septic systems on aquaculture policy.
My doctoral work and ongoing collaborations examine how warming temperatures affect the transformation and fluxes of organic carbon in stream networks. Within this work, I focus on the phenology of aquatic systems and how the dynamism of freshwater environments shapes the seasonal patterns and processes.