Shannon Speir

Shannon Speir is an Assistant Professor of Water Quality in the Department of Crop, Soil, and Environmental Sciences at the University of Arkansas. She directs the Speir Lab, which investigates stream biogeochemistry and nutrient transformations in human-impacted freshwater systems. Research combines field studies, high-frequency sensing, and translational ecology.

Focus areas include climate impacts on nutrient cycling, microplastic transport, and intermittent stream dynamics. Projects address conservation policy through empirical analysis of agricultural runoff and urban hydrological disturbances.

Publications emphasize watershed-scale processes, with recent work in Environmental Science & Technology and Journal of Environmental Quality. Leads the AIMS Project for big-data integration in intermittent stream research.

Mentors students in ecosystem ecology techniques and collaborates on NSF-funded initiatives. Lab facilities support water chemistry analysis and sensor networks.