I am a new faculty member in the Department of Civil Engineering with a background in environmental and geological engineering. My expertise is in fractured rock hydrogeology, cryo-hydrogeology, and environmental/isotope tracers. The goal of my research is to support safe and sustainable groundwater resources in cold regions under climate change through field-based investigations combined with robust statistical and numerical analyses. My work aims to improve the ability of governments, industry, and First Nations to effectively respond to a rapidly warming climate. I am also an Associate Editor for Hydrogeology Journal and have been on the board of a non-profit organization focused on watershed conservation and outreach since 2017.
I was previously an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow at Wilfrid Laurier University (2021 – 2022) where I studied the impacts of permafrost thaw on groundwater and surface water integration at the Scotty Creek Research Station. I completed my PhD in Civil Engineering (2016 – 2021) and BASc in Geological Engineering (2012 – 2016) at Queen’s University, Canada.
The Problem
Rising temperatures from climate change are severely impacting the global cryosphere with direct implications for vital groundwater resources. In seasonally frozen environments, changing winter conditions affect sensitive groundwater resources that are recharged by winter precipitation. In the Circumpolar North, rapid warming is leading to unprecedented permafrost thaw, which is impacting freshwater quality and quantity, damaging critical infrastructure, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and negatively impacting northern livelihoods. These issues will likely intensify over the coming decades, highlighting the urgent need to understand the processes and trajectory of hydrologic change driven by climate change and permafrost thaw.
Our Research
The goal of our research is to support safe and sustainable groundwater resources in cold regions under climate change. We conduct process-based field and numerical modelling investigations to understand the impacts of climate change and permafrost thaw on groundwater resources. This work aims to improve predictions of hydrologic change under future climate scenarios and build the capacity of governments, First Nations, and industry to effectively mitigate and adapt to the consequences of a warming world. We take an integrated approach by investigating dynamically coupled systems and incorporate community concerns and Traditional Knowledge into the planning, collection, and interpretation of results. Our research spans cold regions across Canada from seasonally frozen bedrock aquifers in southern Canada, to the permafrost beneath peatlands, tundra, and fractured rock of the Canadian Arctic and sub-Arctic. Some examples of areas we research are highlighted below.
Our Field Sites
Nearest Community: Tamworth, Ontario
Access: Road
Thermal State: Seasonally Frozen
Ongoing Research:
Nearest Community: Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories
Access: Float plane, Snowmobile
Thermal State: Discontinuous Permafrost
Ongoing Research:
Nearest Community: Whatì, Northwest Territories
Access: All Season Road
Thermal State: Discontinuous Permafrost
Ongoing Research:
Cape Bounty Arctic Watershed Observatory
Nearest Community: Resolute Bay, Nunavut
Access: Ski Plane, Float Plane
Thermal State: Continuous Permafrost
Ongoing Research:
Click below for a complete update-to-date list of publications:
Select Publications
Graduate Student Positions
Dr. Wright is always looking to hear from talented and driven students interested in the topics related to groundwater flow and contaminant transport in cold regions. Examples of research topics include:
All projects have varying degrees of field investigation and/or numerical modelling with the possibility for bench-scale laboratory experiments for topic three. Other topics related to cold regions groundwater resources are possible, so reach out if you have a project/topic in mind!
How to Apply: Applicants should have an undergraduate degree in Civil, Environmental, or Geological Engineering, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography, or related fields. Previous related field experience is an asset, but is not essential. Additionally, applicants for Northern field projects should be eager and interested in engaging with Indigenous communities and conducting field work in remote locations for extended periods (e.g., several weeks) at a time.
For any of the projects above, please email a cover letter outlining your research interests, CV, and unofficial transcripts to Dr. Wright (stephanie.wright@queenu.ca), with the subject line “Wright Research Opportunity”.