Our research focuses on how humans impact nutrient and carbon cycling in aquatic and wetland ecosystems. We use ecological engineering principles to understand how restoration improves water quality and ecosystem health. We integrate field-based research with quantitative approaches to develop solutions that advance the science and application of nature-based solutions. Some of our current research projects include:
  • Hydrodynamic and environmental drivers of restoring ecosystem function of wetlands and floodplains in agricultural landscapes.
  • Factors that control rates of biogeochemical transformations in restored and created wetlands, particularly focusing on tradeoffs in nitrogen removal and phosphorus release.
  • Data-driven and process-based approaches that combine social and biophysical factors to better understand the complex interactions in coupled natural and human systems.

Lab news

After 8 wonderful years at Purdue with some of the smartest people I know, I'm moving back to my home state of Iowa to join the ABE Dept at Iowa State! Looking forward to strengthening ties between these two amazing places.

We have a new lab member! Ian Chesla just joined us from MSU to study wetland biogeochemistry. Welcome Ian!


Contact:
Sara Winnike McMillan
Professor, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering
Iowa State University
4350 Elings Hall
swmcmill at iastate dot edu
https://saramcmillan.weebly.com