Martin Briggs

Martin Briggs works on a wide range of hydrological issues in his position as research hydrologist with the Hydrogeophysics Branch at the U.S. Geological Survey, although his specialty is in characterizing surface water and groundwater exchange processes. The Hydrogeophysics Branch supports regional Water Science Centers when hydrogeophysical tools (e.g. “earth imaging”) and training are required, and the staff collaborates with academic institutions on pioneering water research. One of its central missions is training and method development, so Martin travels around the country giving workshops and field testing new instruments. Martin has specifically contributed advancements in the application of heat tracing methodology for locating and quantifying groundwater discharges to surface water, such as springs and seeps. His current research includes defining the physical controls on cold water aquatic habitat and various contaminant transport and water quality processes. Whether working on a remote atoll, rugged mountain stream, or in a Massachusetts cranberry bog, Martin is excited to continue to contribute to evolving body of hydrogeological understanding being generated by scientists worldwide. Martin earned a B.S. in geology from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 2002; his M.S. from the Hydrologic Sciences and Engineering Program at the Colorado School of Mines in 2009; and he was awarded his Ph.D. in 2012 from Syracuse University.