James Heiss

James Heiss is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental, Earth, and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell), part of the Kennedy College of Sciences. His research focuses on coastal hydrogeology, groundwater-surface water interactions, and climate change impacts on coastal groundwater resources. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Delaware (2017) and has conducted extensive field and modeling studies on coastal aquifers, including projects in Delaware, North Carolina, and China. He leads the Hydrogeology Group, which integrates hydrology, coastal oceanography, and climate science to study saltwater intrusion, benthic exchange, and nutrient cycling in nearshore environments.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Geology, University of Delaware (2017)
• M.S. in Geology, University of Delaware (2011)
• B.S. in Geoenvironmental Studies, Shippensburg University (2009)

Research Interests:

• Coastal groundwater dynamics and saltwater-freshwater mixing
• Effects of climate change, sea level rise, and extreme weather on coastal aquifers
• Biogeochemical transformations in intertidal zones
• Hydrologic modeling of swash zone and tidal influences

Grants and Contracts:

• NSF CAREER Award for studying hydrodynamic controls on fluid exchanges in coastal aquifers
• Collaborative research on hydrologic dynamics during extreme coastal storms

Labs and Equipment: The Hydrogeology Group operates a field lab with advanced equipment including Geoprobe drilling systems, water quality sensors, and a high-performance computing cluster for modeling. They also maintain teaching wells on campus for student training.

Outreach: Engages in K-12 and undergraduate education through the Lowell Canal water quality sensor network and campus tree inventory projects.