Bio

Susan is a hydrologist and geomorphologist with experience that ranges from applied research in watershed hydrology, to co-creating climate adaptation strategies with community partners, and strategic organizational leadership. She earned a PhD in Hydrology at the University of Washington and is currently an affiliate assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, maintaining several collaborations across the Colleges of Engineering and of the Environment.

Susan comes to Climate Impacts Group from her role as Principal Hydrologist at Natural Systems Design, a Washington-based environmental consulting firm. For the last 8+ years, Susan has worked with Tribes, NGOs, agencies, and municipalities and led teams of scientists and engineers to develop and design restoration projects and resilience strategies for the benefit of communities and ecosystems. Susan’s broad background includes degrees in Geology from the College of William and Mary and Western Washington University, teaching at the college and K-12 levels, and directing outdoor programs at YMCA Camp Seymour, in Pierce County. Susan’s research interests focus on leveraging field observations, geospatial data, and numerical models to characterize the interactions between climate, land management, and hydrologic and geomorphic processes. Susan’s portfolio of leadership experience includes strategic planning, organizational structure development, and convening numerous collaborations with stakeholders across sectors.