Dr. Mary Engels is the lead scientist and principal investigator for the group. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and Society at the University of Idaho. Prior to her time at the University of Idaho, she sailed for many years with the Sea Education Association and guided rafting trips throughout the western US. Both these professions broadened and deepened her interest in water resource issues. Dr. Engels joined the University of Idaho faculty in 2019 where her current research interests span ecohydrology, human and restoration ecology, and pedagogy. She uses a combination of carefully designed fieldwork, remote sensing, and quantitative modeling work to assess change across ecosystems. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado College, a master’s degree in geology and geophysics from the University of Hawaii, and a PhD in water resources from the University of Idaho.
