Gretchen Gettel

Gretchen Gettel is a researcher affiliated with IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, focusing on aquatic ecosystems and biogeochemical processes. Previously, she served as a Research Scientist at the University of New Hampshire’s Water Systems Analysis Group and held postdoctoral roles in natural resources research. She holds a Ph.D. in Biogeochemistry from Cornell University, alongside degrees from the University of Minnesota and Boston University.

Her research explores dissolved organic carbon quality, denitrification dynamics, and the impacts of land use on freshwater systems. She has conducted fieldwork across arctic, temperate, and tropical regions, investigating nitrogen fixation in lakes, fish distribution effects on food webs, and eutrophication’s role in marine ecosystems. Key themes include greenhouse gas emissions from tropical rivers, agricultural impacts on water quality, and the interplay between hydrology and ecosystem services.

Gettel’s publications emphasize spatial and temporal patterns of GHG fluxes, leveraging remote sensing and machine learning for upscaling data. Her work spans diverse landscapes—from German catchments to East African highlands—highlighting global biogeochemical cycles and climate mitigation strategies. She advocates for sustainable water management through interdisciplinary approaches.

Teaching expertise includes undergraduate and graduate courses on aquatic ecosystems, watershed management, and limnology. Her contributions bridge academic research with practical applications in resource governance and policy alignment for sustainable development in river basins.