Curtis D. Holder, PhD

• Ecohydrology
• Biogeography
• Human-Environment Interactions
• Latin America

• PhD, Geography, Clark University, 2000
• MA, Geography, University of Georgia, 1992
• BA, Geography, Clark University, 1988

• Environmental Systems: Climate and Vegetation
• Hydrology
• Water Resources and Water Problems
• Topics in Water Resource Management
• Biogeography

• Holder, Curtis D. and Leal K. Lauderbaugh, 2023. Progression toward maximum leaf surface storage during the rainfall interception process. Hydrological Processes 37(9): e25959. doi.org/10.1002/hyp.14959
• Lauderbaugh, Leal K. and Curtis D. Holder, 2022. The biomechanics of leaf oscillations during rainfall events. Journal of Experimental Botany 73(4): 1139-1154. doi.org/10.1093/jxb/erab492.
• Holder, Curtis D., Leal K. Lauderbaugh, Roser M. Ginebra-Solanellas, and Rebecca Webb, 2020. Changes in leaf inclination angle as an indicator of progression toward leaf surface storage during the rainfall interception process. Journal of Hydrology 588, 125070. doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2020.125070.
• Holder, Curtis D. and Cerian Gibbes. 2017. Influence of leaf and canopy characteristics on rainfall interception and urban hydrology. Hydrological Sciences Journal 62(10): 182-190.
• Holder, Curtis D. 2017. Coping with class in science. Science 355(6325): 658.
• Holder, Curtis D. 2012. The relationship between leaf hydrophobicity, water droplet retention, and leaf angle of common species in a semi-arid region of the western United States. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 152: 11-16. doi:10.1016/j.agrformet.2011.08.005.
• Holder, Curtis D. 2007. Leaf water repellency of species in Guatemala and Colorado (USA) and its significance to forest hydrology studies. Journal of Hydrology 336(1/2): 147-154.
• Holder, Curtis D. 2004. Rainfall interception and fog precipitation in a tropical montane cloud forest of Guatemala. Forest Ecology and Management190(2/3): 373-384.
• Holder, Curtis D. 2003. Fog precipitation in a cloud forest of the Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala. Hydrological Processes 17(10): 2001-2010.

• President's Volunteer Service Award (2015) from the Corporation for National & Community Service
• Outstanding Graduate Teaching Award (1992) awarded by the University of Georgia
• Citizen Activist Award (1988) awarded by the Citizen Action Network, Worcester, MA

• Editorial Advisory Board, International Journal of Biometeorology
• Vice Chancellor Review Committee
• Lead Volunteer, Care & Share Food Bank of Southern Colorado
• Peace Corps Virtual Service Pilot Participant - Mexico (2022)
• Peace Corps Response Volunteer - El Salvador (2014)
• Peace Corps Volunteer-Guatemala (1988-1990)

What do you value and care about outside of your professional duties?

Three issues outside of my professional duties I value and care about are 1) the persistence of hunger, 2) educational opportunities for first-generation college students, and 3) the rise of loneliness. For the first issue, I volunteer at Care & Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado. This food bank partners with multiple food pantries in several counties of southern Colorado to provide food for people who need it. For the second issue, my partner and I are working with our alma maters to provide need-based scholarships to first-generation college students as part of our legacy. For the third issue, I volunteer with Porchlight Friends, an organization that helps battle loneliness and isolation among many older people in the community. I am a companion for elderly members of our community to provide assistance driving to medical appointments, shopping, etc. and to share in conversation to overcome loneliness.

What encouraged you to go into (and stay in) higher education?

The primary reason was because I love science. Anyone can participate in the scientific method, and I love to make discoveries to understand our engagement with the environment in order to create a better world. Being a university professor enables me to participate in ecohydrological research with students and colleagues from around the world.

What are your own professional goals and aspirations?

My goals and aspirations are to be as centered, grounded, and introspective as I am able. I hope to leave as few environmental footprints on this planet as possible. I hope to live a life with kindness and compassion to the environment and to others around me. To achieve this goal, I need to have integrity and to be honorable. Also, I need to display and demonstrate grit and honesty.

What is your favorite place? 

I am very lucky and privileged to have an exceptional partner in life. My favorite place is at home doing the most mundane household tasks and activities with her, such as sitting side by side on the couch reading a book with the cat on one of our laps, preparing dinner in the kitchen, working in the vegetable garden in the backyard, or zillions of other menial tasks at home, as long as we are together. My partner (home) provides security, comfort, and restorative energy.