Research

My research is focused on rivers and water in the US.  I am trained as a hydraulic engineer and hydrologist, but my work spans from basic field and lab science to policy and economics.  Most of my current basic science work is done through my very capable team of graduate students and post-docs, and through collaborations at the Duke River Center. I also work on water infrastructure finance (municipal and federal), and through my work with the Nicholas Institute, the creation of an Internet of Water. 

I typically publish my research in technical/scientific peer-reviewed journal outlets, a (mostly) full list of which is available through my Google scholar page or through my Duke page. What I consider to be my key academic/scholarly contributions are listed below. I have also advised a number of stellar PhD students and post-docs (along with a large number of masters students, who are not listed here).

• Peter Wasswa (PhD, Duke, Environment, 2024-present) 
• Erik Patton (PhD, Duke, Environment, 2022-2024; Goodpaster Scholar, US Army); 
• Nicholas Bruns (PhD, Duke, Ecology, 2022, river science, post-doc, VIMS);
• Erika Smull (PhD, Duke, 2022, water infrastructure finance, Breckinridge Capital Advisors) 
• Katy Hansen (PhD, Duke, Megan Mullin primary advisor; water infrastructure, Environmental Policy Innovation Center);
• John Gardner (PhD, Duke, 2018, river science, Assistant Prof, Univ of Pittsburgh);
• Matt Fuller (PhD, Duke, 2017; river ecology, Scientist, EPA);
• Matt Ross (PhD, Duke, Ecology, 2011-; E. Bernhardt primary advisory; water biogeochemistry, Assistant Prof, Colorado State Univ); 
• Chuck Podolak (post-doc, 2012-2014; water markets, Director, Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of AZ);  
• Autumn Thoyre (PhD, UNC, Geography, 2014; environmental policy and social theory, San Francisco State Univ), 
• Jeff Muehlbauer (PhD, UNC, Ecology, 2013; river ecology, Assistant Unit Leader-Fisheries, USGS Assistant Professor, University of Alaska-Fairbanks), 
• Brian Lutz (post-doc, 2011-2013; biogeochemistry; VP Agricultural Solutions, Corteva Agriscience); 
• Kimberly Meitzen (post-doc joint with TNC, 2013; Assoc. Prof, Texas State Univ); 
• Lauren Patterson (MS and PhD, Geography, 2012; water and data science; ICE Data); 
• Tim Baird (PhD, Geography, 2012; political ecology in Africa; Assoc Prof, Virginia Tech); 
• Scott Ensign (PhD, Ecology, 2011, river ecology; Assistant Director; Stroud Water Center); 
• JR Rigby (post-doc, 2010-2011; hydrology, research hydrologist, Natl Sedimentation Laboratory); 
• Erich Hester (PhD, Ecology, 2008, hydrology; Assoc Prof, Virginia Tech Univ, Civil Engineering); 
• Jason Julian (PhD, Geography, 2007, geomorphology, Prof, Texas State Univ); 
• Adam Riggsbee (PhD, Env Sci and Engin. 2006, UNC, river ecology; Principal/Owner: Riverbank Ecosystems, Austin TX); 
• Cailin Orr (Post-doc, 2005-2006, UNC, biogeochemistry, Science Education Research Center, Carleton College). 

SOME KEY PUBLICATIONS:

• Doyle et al. (2020). Growing options for shrinking cities. Journal of American Water Works Association 112: 56-66. 
• Doyle et al. (2015). Morphology of streams restored for market and non-market purposes: Insights from a mixed natural-social science approach. Water Resources Research 51(7); 5603-5622.
• Doyle and VonWindheim (2015). Environmental management strategy: Four forces analysis. Environmental Management 55: 6-18.
• Doyle et al. (2014). The optimal scale of markets for water quality trading. Water Resources Research 50(9): 7231-7244.
• Doyle (2012). America’s rivers and the American experiment. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 1-18: doi: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2012.00652.x.
• Doyle and Ensign (2009). Alternative reference frames in river systems science. BioScience 59: 499-510.
• Doyle et al. (2008). Aging infrastructure and ecosystem restoration. Science 319(5861): 286-287.
• Doyle et al. (2005). Effective discharge analysis of ecological processes in streams. Water Resources Research, 41, W1141, doi: 10.1029/2005WR004222.
• Doyle et al. (2003), Channel adjustments following two dam removals in Wisconsin.  Water Resources Research.  39(1), 1011, doi: 10.1029/2002WR001714.