David Watkins

Dr. David Watkins is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering at Michigan Technological University (MTU), affiliated with the Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC). He holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, as well as dual BS degrees in Civil Engineering and Engineering and Public Policy from Washington University in St. Louis. His research focuses on water resources planning, hydrologic modeling, climate change adaptation, and the Food-Energy-Water Nexus.

Dr. Watkins teaches courses on hydrologic engineering, environmental systems analysis, and international service learning. He directs the Peace Corps Coverdell Fellows and AmeriCorps/VISTA master’s programs at MTU and advises the Michigan Tech chapter of Engineers Without Borders-USA. His work integrates interdisciplinary approaches, particularly in flood risk management and sustainable development.

His research projects include analyzing household resource consumption, flood forecasting in ungauged basins, and climate adaptation strategies for rural communities. He is active in professional organizations like the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), having previously served as chief editor of the ASCE Journal of Water Resources Planning and Management.

Key research themes include:

• Hydrologic modeling under climate change
• Systems analysis of plastic supply chains
• Food-Energy-Water Nexus dynamics
• Climate resilience in rural infrastructure

His recent work emphasizes transdisciplinary solutions, such as leveraging geospatial tools for urban equity and optimizing biogas facilities through GIS integration.