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Ryan Emanuel

Associate Professor of Hydrology
Environmental Sciences and Policy
9 Circuit Dr., Durham, NC 27708

Overview


Ryan Emanuel is a hydrologist and community-engaged scholar from North Carolina. He studies ecohydrology, biogeosciences, environmental justice, and Indigenous rights. Emanuel leads a group of researchers and scholars who study water and watery places in North Carolina and beyond. His group also partners with Native American Tribes and other communities to understand environmental change through the lenses of environmental justice and Indigenous rights. Their work involves research, education, and relationship-building. Emanuel aims to amplify voices of Indigenous and other marginalized communities who shoulder disproportionate environmental burdens.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Hydrology · 2022 - Present Environmental Sciences and Policy, Nicholas School of the Environment

In the News


Published March 13, 2025
In North Carolina, Trump administration’s anti-climate deregulation agenda comes to a head
Published February 24, 2025
Can the Lumbee gain tribal recognition? Trump actions provide hope, but hurdles remain
Published February 12, 2025
‘Words matter’: Accepted ‘pocosin’ definition unsupported

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Recent Publications


Injected Tracer Reveals Differences in Water Transport Rate, Residence Times and Mixing Dynamics in Tree Species of Contrasting Water Management Strategies

Journal Article Hydrological Processes · March 1, 2025 Studies have shown that water can reside inside trees for up to several months, but how the duration of long-term stored water relates to species-specific water management strategies is not known. We studied water residence time, tracer velocity, and inter ... Full text Cite

Near-term ecological forecasting for climate change action

Journal Article Nature Climate Change · December 1, 2024 A substantial increase in predictive capacity is needed to anticipate and mitigate the widespread change in ecosystems and their services in the face of climate and biodiversity crises. In this era of accelerating change, we cannot rely on historical patte ... Full text Cite

Earth Observation Data to Support Environmental Justice: Linking Non-Permitted Poultry Operations to Social Vulnerability Indices.

Journal Article GeoHealth · December 2024 Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) apply massive amounts of untreated waste to nearby farmlands, with severe environmental health impacts of swine CAFOs and proximity to disadvantaged communities well documented in some US regions. Most studies ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Tribal Coastal Resilience Connections Phase II

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by NC Department of Environmental Quality · 2024 - 2025

THELORACS: Tree Health Evaluated using LiDAR, Optical, and Radar Applications across Coastal Systems

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Virginia - Charlottesville · 2022 - 2025

Collaborative Research: ER2 Incubation Project: A Pilot Study of Indigenous Perspectives on Ethical and Responsible Research

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2024 - 2025

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Virginia · 2007 Ph.D.