Stephanie Shepherd headshot
Stephanie Shepherd
Department of Geosciences
Associate Professor and Associate Chair

Research Areas: Geomorphology, fluvial geomorphology, landscape evolution, anthropogenic impacts on river systems, GIS applications in geomorphology

Office: 2046C Haley Center

Address: 2050 Beard Eaves Coliseum
Auburn, AL 36849

Phone: (334) 844-4926

Lab Phone: (334) 844-5791

Fax: (334) 844-4295

Email: slshepherd@auburn.edu


Education
Ph.D., University of Arkansas
2010 - 2011
M.S., Geology, University of Arkansas
2001
B.A., English, University of the South
1996


Professional Employment
Assistant Professor, Auburn University
2014 - Present
Assistant Professor, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
2012 - 2014
Visiting Assistant Professor, Franklin and Marshall College
2011 - 2012
Instructor, University of Arkansas
2010 - 2011


Research and Teaching Interests

My research program is focused on processes in fluvial geomorphology and anthropogenic or environmental impacts on riverine landscapes.  I use a combination of field observation, topographic analysis, quantitative techniques and GIS to investigate rivers at a range of scales from individual cross-sections to entire watersheds. I have a long-term research project in the Buffalo National Scenic River, Arkansas.  In collaboration with colleagues at Desert Research Institute, US Geological Survey, and National Park Service, we are investigating the impact of heterogeneous lithology on fluvial processes and terrace formation. Locally I am using geomorphic and geophysical methods to document African American cemeteries so that we can preserve and protect these historic sites. I also have students conducting research that supports watershed conservation and management in the south eastern United States.


Selected Publications

  1. Malisch, J.L., Harris, B.N., Sherrer, S.M., Lewis, K.A., Shepherd, S.L., McCarthy, P.C., Spott, J.L., Karam, E.P., Moustaid-Moussa, N., McCrory Calarco, J., Ramalingam, L., Talley, A.E., Canas-Carrell, J.E., Ardon-Dryer, K., Weiser, D.A., Bernal, X.E., Deitloff, J. 2020. Opinion: In the wake of COVID-19, academia needs new solutiosn to ensure gender equity. in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2010636117. 
  2. Harris, B.; McCarthy, P.; Wright, A.; Schutz, H.; Boersma, K.: Shepherd, S.; Manning, L.; Malisch, J.; Ellington, R. 2020. From panic to pedagogy: Using online active learning to promote inclusive instruction in ecology and evolutionary biology courses. in Ecology and Evolution. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.6915
  3. Keen-Zebert, A., Hudson, M., Shepherd, S.L., Thaler, E., 2017, The effect of lithology on valley width, terrace distribution, and bedload provenance in a tectonically stable catchment with flat lying stratigraphy. in Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. Vol. 42, pp. 1573-1587. DOI: 10.1002/esp.4116.
  4. Shepherd, S., Dixon, J.C., Davis, R., Feinstein, R. 2011. The effect of land use on channel morphology and sediment distribution in gravel mantled bedrock streams. in River Research and Applications. Vol. 27, pp. 857-866. DOI: 10.1002/rra.1401.
  5. Guccione, M.J., Mueller, K., Champion, J., Shepherd, S., Carlson, S.D., Odhiambo, B., Tate, A. 2002. Stream response to repeated coseismic folding, Tiptonville dome,New Madrid seismic zone in Geomorphology. Vol. 43, pp. 313- 349. DOl:10.1016/S0169-555x(01)00145-3.






Last updated: 10/01/2024