Bio
Dr. Natalie A. Griffiths is a Senior Research Staff Member in the Environmental Sciences Division at ORNL. Dr. Griffiths received her BSc in Zoology and Physiology from the University of Toronto in 2005 and her PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Notre Dame in 2011. Her research program at ORNL focuses on understanding biogeochemical and hydrological dynamics at terrestrial-aquatic interfaces, and she is currently working on the following projects: (1) Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Changing Environments (SPRUCE); (2) Watershed Dynamics and Evolution (WaDE); (3) Reducing uncertainty in greenhouse gas emission estimates from hydropower reservoirs (reservoir GHGs); (4) Next-Generation Ecosystem Experiments-Arctic (NGEE-Arctic); (5) ORNL's Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (BMAP). Previous projects included: (1) Examining the environmental sustainability (water quality and quantity) of short rotation pine as a bioenergy feedstock in the southeastern U.S.; (2) Evaluating the long-term aquatic ecological responses to riparian ecosystem restoration at the Fort Benning, GA military installation; 3) Spatially resolved measurements of water quality indicators within a bioenergy landscape using an uncrewed surface vehicle-water quality sensor platform.
Professional Experience
2010-2013: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Awards
2017: Stanley I. Auerbach Award for Excellence in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
2011: Eli J. and Helen Shaheen Graduate School Award to the Top Ph.D. Graduate in Science, University of Notre Dame.
Education
2011: Ph.D. in Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame.
2005: Honors B.Sc. with High Distinction in Zoology and Physiology, University of Toronto.
Professional Service
2024-present: Incoming Vice President of the Society for Freshwater Science.
2022-present: Member of the Governing Board and the Technical Committee for the Low-Impact Hydropower Institute.
2020-present: Subject Matter Editor under the “Freshwater Ecology” subject track for Ecosphere.