Dr. Mindy Armstead, professor and chair of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences in the College of Science at Marshall University, was honored today at the Marshall University Board of Governors meeting for her ongoing research contributions. Her work on improving flood monitoring and prediction in Appalachian headwater streams was recently featured in Environmental Monitor, highlighting collaborations through the FLASH and CLIMBS research initiatives.
Armstead’s research focuses on advances in flood prediction for small, often understudied watersheds by integrating traditional hydrologic models with real-time remote sensing and field data. Her team’s work in the Fourpole Creek watershed of Eastern Kentucky, a region prone to frequent and severe flooding, helps scientists and communities better understand flood dynamics and improve early warning systems.
The featured article highlights the collaborative FLASH project, The Flooding in Appalachian Streams and Headwaters Initiative, funded through an NSF RII Track-2 FEC award and led by the University of Louisville. FLASH aims to improve understanding of flash flooding in small Appalachian streams and supports the development of new monitoring strategies that can enhance community resilience.
The CLIMBS project, Climate Resilience through Multidisciplinary Big Data Learning, Prediction and Building Response Systems, complements FLASH by strengthening flood and climate disaster monitoring and prediction across Kentucky through big data, advanced modeling, and interdisciplinary research. Together, these initiatives link university researchers, students, and community partners to address pressing environmental challenges in Appalachia.
Dr. Armstead’s work continues to elevate Marshall’s role in applied environmental science, advancing knowledge that could lead to more accurate flood forecasts and safer communities in regions vulnerable to extreme weather and climate variability.