James Meldrum
About James Meldrum
James Meldrum is a Research Economist at the U.S. Geological Survey, focusing on ecosystem services and natural hazards, particularly wildfires. He has a diverse academic and professional background, including roles at the University of Colorado and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Work at U.S. Geological Survey
James Meldrum has served as a Research Economist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) since 2016. Based in the Fort Collins, Colorado area, he focuses on the intersection of ecosystem services and natural hazards, particularly wildfires. Meldrum collaborates with the WiRē team to partner with organizations that support wildfire risk mitigation on private property. His work involves data modeling and analysis to understand risks and identify strategies for risk reduction.
Education and Expertise
James Meldrum earned a Bachelor of Science degree cum laude from Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied Physics and Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology from 2001 to 2005. He later pursued advanced studies at the University of Colorado Boulder, obtaining a Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a focus on Environmental Economics, followed by a PhD in the same field from 2007 to 2012. His educational background supports his expertise in environmental economics, risk assessment, and nonmarket valuation.
Previous Research Positions
Prior to his role at USGS, James Meldrum held several research positions. He worked as a Research Associate at the University of Colorado's Institute of Behavioral Science from 2012 to 2016. Additionally, he served as a Research Scientist at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) for 11 months in 2012. His experience also includes a Graduate Internship at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) from 2011 to 2012 and a position as an Engineering Physicist at Stereotaxis, Inc. from 2005 to 2006.
Research Focus and Methodologies
James Meldrum's research emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, incorporating behavioral economics experiments and Bayesian estimation. He explores the complexities of ecosystem services and natural hazards, particularly in relation to wildfires. His methodologies include data modeling and analysis, which are essential for understanding risks and developing effective mitigation strategies. Meldrum presents his findings to diverse audiences, focusing on conceptual frameworks and data interpretation.