Joel Singley, Ph.D. (he/him)

Assistant Professor of Environmental Science

I am an interdisciplinary critical zone scientist and educator who works on:

• interactions between hydrologic variability and the biogeochemical function of ecosystems

• factors governing ecosystem resilience and connectivity along terrestrial-aquatic and urban-rural gradients

• improving science and data literacy, especially quantitative systems thinking and coding

Since 2022, I have been an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Roger Williams University. I completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Colorado School of Mines with the Singha Lab and the Bedrock Critical Zone Network. Before that, I earned an MS and PhD from the University of Colorado Boulder working with the Gooseff Lab and the Environmental Biogeochemistry Group studying surface water-groundwater interactions and nitrogen cycling in Antarctic streams with the McMurdo Dry Valleys LTER project.

Email Me | Curriculum Vitae | Google Scholar | ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7906-8491

Mandi Greenhalgh

B.S. Environmental Science, Roger Williams University

Mandi joined the lab in 2023 through an internship supported by the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program to study the water quality and ecohydrologic consequences of a coastal dam removal motivated by rising sea levels. She is involved in field instrument installation, maintenance, and data analysis.

Alex Smith

B.A. Environmental Science, Roger Williams University

Alex joined the lab to investigate the temporal dynamics of water quality in a multi-impoundment reservoir experiencing salinization due to sea level rise. His work makes use of both citizen-collected, low-frequency water quality observations and high-frequency sensor data. In his free time, Alex enjoys rock climbing and hiking.

Sean Costello

B.A. Environmental Science, Roger Williams University

Sean joined our team to gain field research experience as we launch a new project using tree cores and near-surface geophysical techniques to assess the response of various tree species to hydroclimatic events along a topographic gradient. Outside of classes, Sean enjoys hiking, geography, and just being in nature.

Elsie Siris

B.A. Environmental Science, Roger Williams University

Elsie joined our lab as a SURF student for Summer 2024 and is continuing with funding from a NASA seed grant. Her research combines fieldwork and numerical modeling to assess the impacts of climate change on thermal dynamics in relatively shallow lakes and ponds. Elsie is a gardener and runner who also loves to travel.

Abbey Brenner

B.S. Marine Biology, Roger Williams University

Abbey joined the lab in Fall 2024 to study the hydrology and metabolic resilience of headwater systems. Her research will draw on sensor data and manual measurements from a catchment near campus. Outside of school Abbey loves to travel, play guitar, write music. She recently learned to surf!

Jack Bielawa

B.S. Applied Mathematics, Roger Williams University

Jack began his work with our lab during Fall 2024 in collaboration with Dr. Hum Nath Bhandari. Jack is evaluating the performance of deep learning approaches for near-term, iterative forecasting of stream temperatures using continuous, high-frequency datasets from the National Ecological Observatory Network. Beyond classes and research, Jack runs track and plays club volleyball.

Rachel Rodrigues

B.A. Environmental Science, Roger Williams University (2024)

Research: Differential impact of drought on water quality across Rhode Island

Amanda Paulhus

B.S. Environmental Science, Roger Williams University (2024)

Research: Differential impact of drought on water quality across Rhode Island
Positions After Graduation: Water Monitoring Field Intern, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management

Sophia Gioioso

B.S. Environmental Science, Roger Williams University (2024)

Research: Assessing suitability of data gap-filling among local meteorological stations
Position After Graduation: Plant Health Intern, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management