Zion Klos

Zion Klos is the Department Chair and Associate Professor of Environmental Science at Marist College's School of Science. His research integrates physical, ecological, and social sciences to address water and climate issues, with a focus on ecohydrology, geology, and land management in mountain systems. Klos holds a PhD in Environmental Science from the University of Idaho and a BA in Geology from Colorado College. He has conducted postdoctoral research at UC Santa Barbara's Bren School and led projects funded by NSF and the Hudson River Foundation. His work emphasizes community-level science communication and experiential learning, mentoring over 30 undergraduate researchers in projects ranging from microplastic analysis to amphibian conservation. Awards include the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship and recognition for doctoral excellence. Klos advises student projects on topics like hyporheic exchange, beaver dam impacts, and AI-driven flood modeling. His lab, Klos Water Lab, focuses on hydrological research and innovative educational practices.

• Education: PhD Environmental Science (University of Idaho), BA Geology (Colorado College)
• Awards: NSF GRFP, University of Idaho Doctoral Excellence Awards, Colorado College Magna Cum Laude
• Key Research: Climate change impacts, ecohydrology, water resource management, environmental education
• Publications: Over 30 peer-reviewed articles in WIREs Water, Forest Ecology and Management, and Hydrology and Earth System Sciences

Research Interests: Integrated hydrological systems, interdisciplinary pedagogy, and bridging science with community action through projects like climate communication via art and music. Lab collaborations include Scenic Hudson and NOAA, with fieldwork in the Hudson River Valley and beyond.