Daniel Bain

Dr. Daniel Bain is a Professor in the Department of Geology and Environmental Science at the University of Pittsburgh, affiliated with the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. He holds the role of Faculty Fellow in Sustainability, emphasizing research on human-driven environmental changes. His education includes a PhD in Geography and Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University (2004), followed by postdoctoral research at the US Geological Survey.

Dr. Bain’s research integrates hydrology, geomorphology, biogeochemistry, and spatial analysis to study urban and fluvial systems, with a focus on environmental contamination, climate impacts, and urban critical zone processes. Key projects include analyzing road salt effects on ecosystems, geochemical tracing in urban streams, and historical lake sediment records.

His work spans interdisciplinary collaborations, including community-engaged research on environmental justice and green infrastructure performance. Dr. Bain’s lab, part of the University’s facilities, supports field and laboratory studies, with active grants addressing water quality, urbanization, and health equity.

Recent projects include studies on legacy pollution in Pittsburgh’s urban soils, radioactive material exposure from oil/gas waste, and the hydrological benefits of green roofs. He maintains a research group with ongoing projects documented in over 60 peer-reviewed articles.