Maddy Meadows-McDonnell (she/her) is a postdoctoral scholar with the Society of Fellows at Dartmouth College, working at the intersection of forest carbon science and policy with Joseph Tumber-Dávila and Michael Cox in the Environmental Studies Department. Maddy is broadly interested in applied ecosystem research, primarily focused on carbon dynamics, policy, and nature-based solutions. Through her research, she seeks to bridge science and policy by identifying pathways to strengthen wetland protections and climate mitigation strategies.

Before joining Dartmouth, Maddy received her PhD from the University of Connecticut in Natural Resources and her BA in Biology and Environmental Science and Policy from Smith College. For her doctoral work, Maddy investigated the effects of plant species and human activities on salt marsh carbon dynamics, using observational and experimental approaches in mesocosms, large scale field experiments, and manipulative greenhouse studies. After finishing her doctorate, she spent a year working in the US Senate as a NOAA Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, where she co-led the oceans, wildlife, and plastics policy portfolio for Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on his Environment and Public Works Committee staff. 

When not working on her research, you can find Maddy swimming in the nearest body of water, hiking, gardening, or finding her new favorite restaurant.