Alison Watts smile photo

Alison Watts

Research Assistant Professor
Phone: (603) 862-0585
Office: Gregg Hall, Durham, NH 03824
Websites:
My research focuses on the interaction between humans and water resources; I am interested in the discharge, fate and treatment of contaminates released to the environment, and the impact of water quality stressor on both human and biological systems. I have a strong interest in sustainable resource management, and working with water resource managers to develop adaptive management strategies for aquatic systems. Current research is primarily focused on applying emerging methods in genomics to assess biotic communities with a focus on early detection of invasive species, biodiversity and ecosystem indicators. Past research areas include the release of PAHs from seal coated surfaces, transport and removal of contaminants in stormwater, climate change mitigation, and watershed modeling.

Courses Taught

  • CEE 722/822: Intro Marine Pollutn & Control
  • CEE 796/896: Top/Water Watersheds & Soc

Education

  • Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of New Hampshire
  • M.S., Geology/Earth Science, University of Arizona
  • B.A., Planetary Astronomy & Science, Mount Holyoke College

Selected Publications

  • Baidouri, F. E., Watts, A. W., Miller, J. T., Kelly, M., Sevigny, J. L., Gilbert, H., & Thomas, W. K. (2025). An optimized eDNA protocol for fish tracking in estuarine environments.. Sci Rep, 15(1), 1175. doi:10.1038/s41598-025-85176-y

  • Mahler, B. J., Van Metre, P. C., Crane, J. L., Watts, A. W., Scoggins, M., & Williams, E. S. (2012). Coal-Tar-Based Pavement Sealcoat and PAHs: Implications for the Environment, Human Health, and Stormwater Management. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 46(6), 3039-3045. doi:10.1021/es203699x

  • Watts, A. W., Ballestero, T. P., Roseen, R. M., & Houle, J. P. (2010). Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Stormwater Runoff from Sealcoated Pavements. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, 44(23), 8849-8854. doi:10.1021/es102059r

  • Roseen, R. M., DiGennaro, N., Watts, A., Ballestero, T. P., & Houle, J. (2010). Preliminary results of the examination of thermal impacts from stormwater BMPs. In World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010: Challenges of Change - Proceedings of the World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2010 (pp. 3424-3451). doi:10.1061/41114(371)352

  • Watts, A. W., Ballestero, T. P., & Gardner, K. H. (2008). Soil and atmospheric inputs to PAH concentrations in salt marsh plants. WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION, 189(1-4), 253-263. doi:10.1007/s11270-007-9572-0

  • Watts, A. W., Ballestero, T. P., & Gardner, K. H. (2006). Uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in salt marsh plants Spartina alterniflora grown in contaminated sediments. CHEMOSPHERE, 62(8), 1253-1260. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.07.006

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  • Most Cited Publications