University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Bio

Dr. Chin is a fluvial geomorphologist working to understand the dynamics, morphology and evolution of river systems. Her research focuses on the energetics of mountain, dryland, and urban rivers, particularly as they interact with human activities. Her work is interdisciplinary and includes linkages to ecological processes within river channels, with societal implications and applications for environmental management and policy. Dr. Chin joined the Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences in the summer of 2010, after serving on the faculty at Texas A&M University for 13 years. In 2006-2007, she was Director of the Geography and Spatial Sciences Program at the National Science Foundation. She is also (since 2008) a courtesy professor at the University of Oregon and a fellow (since 2009) of the Leopold Leadership Program of Stanford University. She serves on numerous scientific advisory panels and recently completed service on the Committee on Challenges and Opportunities in Earth Surface Processes of the National Research Council. At the University of Colorado Denver, she is enthusiastic to contribute her experiences and perspectives toward strengths in physical geography, environmental science, urban-environmental studies, human-environmental interaction and science policy.

Select Publications

Chin, A., Gelwick, F., Laurencio, D.E., Laurencio, L.R, Byars, M.S., Scoggins, M., 2010. "Linking eomorphological and ecological responses in restored urban pool-riffle streams." Ecological Restoration 28(4):460-474.

Wohl, E., Chin, A., Haltiner, J., Kondolf, M., 2010. "Managing stream morphology with check dams." Chapeter 7 in: Check Dams, Morphological Adjustment and Erosional Control in Torrential Streams, C. Conesa Garcia and M.A. Lenzi, eds., Nova Science Publishers, p. 135-149.

Chin, A., Purcell, A.H., Quan, J.W, Resh, V.H., 2009. "Assessing geomorphological and ecological responses in restored step-pool systems." Geological Society of America Special Paper 451:197-214.

Chin, A., Gregory, K.J., 2009. "From research to application: management implications from studies of urban river channels." Geography Compass 3(1):297-328.

Chin, A., Anderson, S., Collison, A., Ellis-Sugai, B., Haltiner, J., Hogervorst, J., Kondolf, G.M., O'Hirok, L.S., Purcell, A.H., Riley, A.L., Wohl, E., 2009. "Linking theory and practice for restoration of step-pool streams." Environmental Management 43(4):645-661.

Florsheim, J.L., Mount, J.F., and Chin, A., 2008. "Bank erosion as a desirable attribute of rivers." BioScience 58(6):519-529.

Chin, A., Daniels, M.D., Urban, M.A., Piegay, H., Gregory, K.J., Bigler, W., Butt, A., Grable, J., Gregory, S.V., Lafrenz, M., Laurencio, L., Wohl, E., 2008. "Perceptions of wood in rivers and challenges for stream restoration in the United States." Environmental Management 41: 893-903.

Chin, A. and Phillips, J.D., 2007. "The self-organization of step-pools in mountain streams." Geomorphology 83:346-358.

Chin, A., 2006. "Urban transformation of river landscapes in a global context." Geomorphology 79:460-487.

Chin, A., 2002. "The periodic nature of step-pool mountain streams." American Journal of Science 302(2):144-167.

Courses Taught

Introduction to Physical Geography
Environmental Hydrology
Fluvial Geomorphology
Earth Environments and Human Impacts