Keith Musselman

Keith Musselman serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and a Fellow at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado Boulder. His work bridges hydrology, climate change, and ecosystem services, focusing on snow-dominated regions and their critical role in global water security.

• Education:
  • PhD in Civil Engineering, University of California Los Angeles (2012)
  • MS in Hydrology, University of Arizona (2006)
  • BS in Geology, University of Vermont (2003)

Research Focus: Dr. Musselman evaluates freshwater availability in seasonally snow-covered environments, examining how water resources respond to climate and land-use changes. His work integrates field measurements, remote sensing, and computational modeling, with an emphasis on collaborative research involving Indigenous communities. Key areas include snow hydrology, climate change impacts on mountain systems, and ecohydrologic processes across water-energy gradients.

Scientific Contributions: Recent articles highlight his leadership in Arctic hydrology, snowmelt modeling, and snowpack-climate interactions. His 2023 study in Nature Climate Change on deforestation impacts in cold regions and 2022 PNAS paper on ecosystem function alterations underscore his high-impact work. Collaborations span climate scientists, ecologists, and Indigenous leaders.

Awards:

• Outstanding Mentor Award (2021)
• Best Conference Presentation (2019, 2010)
• Graduate Fellowships (2005-2006)
• Undergraduate Research Scholarship (2003)

Students & Collaborations: Mentors graduate students Sydney Carr, Colin Gilbert, Diamond Ebanks, and Elizabeth Woolner. Leads the Arctic Rivers Project, integrating Indigenous advisory councils into climate research frameworks. His NSF-funded work supports over 10 undergraduate researchers and a postdoctoral fellow.