Dan Childers

Dan Childers is a Professor in the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University (ASU). He serves as Director of the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long Term Ecological Research (CAP LTER) Program and previously co-directed the Urban Sustainability Research Coordination Network. His research focuses on ecosystem ecology, urban sustainability, and wetland dynamics, with over 125 peer-reviewed publications and $30M in grants. He holds a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University (1990), M.S. from the University of South Carolina (1985), and B.A. from the University of Virginia (1983).

Education: Ph.D., Louisiana State University (1990); M.S., University of South Carolina (1985); B.A., University of Virginia (1983).

Research Interests: Ecosystem ecology, wetland ecology, urban ecology, and sustainability science. His work spans freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, urban sustainability, and the ecology-design nexus. He directs the CAP LTER and Florida Coastal Everglades LTER programs.

Publications: Over 125 articles, including studies on wetland nutrient dynamics, urban ecosystem resilience, and phosphorus sustainability. Recent work addresses urban ecological infrastructure and climate change impacts on dryland systems.

Awards/Grants: Secured over $30 million in grants, including NSF funding for LTER projects. No explicit awards listed, but recognized for leadership in urban sustainability research.

Advising/Grants: Advised over 30 Ph.D./M.S. students. Active in grant coordination for large-scale ecological research initiatives.

Labs/Teams: Lead the CAP LTER Program and collaborates with the Florida Coastal Everglades LTER. Engaged in interdisciplinary teams addressing urban ecological design and sustainability challenges.