Daniel is a water researcher and writer whose work is guided by curiosity and a passion for stories that reveal the hidden connections between people, places, and systems. He is a PhD student at UC Berkeley in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management, where his research focuses on the social-ecological consequences of groundwater depletion, the role of science and information in decision-making processes, and gaps in water rights frameworks across the Western U.S. and in arid regions.

For more than a decade, Daniel worked as an environmental journalist, writing about water in the Western U.S. for The Nevada Independent and other outlets. At The Nevada Independent, his work was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, Best of the West, and the Society of Environmental Journalists. His reporting has also appeared in The New York Times, Vox, Smithsonian, and Inside Climate News. Based on this reporting, he is currently working on a book about water in the Great Basin and Nevada, the nation’s driest state (Island Press). He writes regularly on these and other topics in a Substack newsletter called Invisible Waters.

Daniel holds an M.S. in Environmental Policy When he is not working, Daniel enjoys all things rivers, oceans, hiking, coffee, and cooking! If you have ideas for stories or potential collaborations, email Daniel to get in touch.