Curriculum Vitae
Michael T. Talbot
PhD Candidate, Hydrologic Science & Engineering · Colorado State University · Fort Collins, CO
mtalbot@colostate.eduEducation
Ph.D., Civil & Environmental Engineering
Expected 2027Colorado State University
Program: Hydrologic Science & Engineering
Dissertation: Advancing Streamflow Estimation in Colorado Using Mixture Distributions and Deep Learning
Advisor: Dr. Frances Davenport
Research areas:
- Flood frequency analysis and mixture distributions
- Deep learning (LSTMs) for streamflow prediction at the extremes
- Large-sample hydrology, mountain hydrology, and snow processes
- Explainable AI and uncertainty quantification
M.S., Bioproducts & Biosystems Science, Engineering, and Management
2019University of Minnesota
Advisor: Dr. Gary Sands
B.B.A.E., Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering
2009University of Minnesota
Research & Professional Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
2024 – PresentColorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
Water Resources Engineer
2013 – 2023Emmons & Olivier Resources, Inc., St. Paul, MN
Stormwater and flood modeling, climate resilience and risk analysis, watershed management planning (MN, IA, ON, AB), and web application development.
Graduate Research Assistant
2010 – 2012University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
Graduate Research Contractor
2010United States Geological Survey, Minneapolis, MN
Visiting Research Assistant
2009Czech Technical University (ČVUT), Prague, Czech Republic
Undergraduate Research Assistant
2005 – 2009University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
Teaching Experience
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Fall 2026 – PresentDepartment of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
- CIVE 520: Physical Hydrology
Graduate Teaching Assistant
2009 – 2012Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota
- BBE 2001: Mechanics and Structural Design
- BBE 4013: Transport in Biological Systems II
Physics Learning Assistant
2009Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Minnesota
Publications
Peer-reviewed
- 2016
- 2015
Developing optimum subsurface drainage design procedures
Sands GR, Canelon D, Talbot M
Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Science 65(sup1):121–127
DOI
In preparation
- 2026
Toward closing the peak-flow prediction gap in LSTM streamflow models
Talbot MT, Davenport FV
In preparation
Conference proceedings
- 2014
Evaluating and Estimating DRAINMOD's Effective Rooting Depth for Corn
Talbot MT, Sands G, Coulter J
Evapotranspiration: Challenges in Measurement and Modeling from Leaf to the Landscape Scale and Beyond. Raleigh, NC
DOI
Contributions & acknowledgements
- 2018
Agriculture — A river runs through it — The connections between agriculture and water quality
Capel PD, McCarthy KA, Coupe RH, Grey KM, Amenumey SE, Baker NT, Johnson RL
U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1433
DOI - 2013
Presentations
- PosterDec 2025New Orleans, LA
No Free Lunch? Improving LSTM Flood Predictions with Minimal Loss in Overall Skill
Talbot MT · AGU25 Annual Meeting
- TalkMay 2025Golden, CO
Toward Enhancing Neural Networks in Predicting Streamflow Extremes
Talbot MT · 2025 AWRA & CGWA Symposium
- TalkApr 2025Fort Collins, CO
Toward Improving Machine Learning Models for Predicting Streamflow Extremes
Talbot MT · 2025 Hydrology Days
- PosterDec 2024Washington, D.C.
Watershed Alchemy: Transforming Data into Hydrologic Understanding
Talbot MT · AGU24 Annual Meeting
- PosterMar 2023Virtual
Evaluation of a GIS-Based Flood Hazard Assessment in Rochester, Minnesota
Talbot MT · 56th International Conference on Water Management Modeling (ICWMM)
- TalkDec 2020Virtual
Improving Remote Collaboration while Lowering Costs: A Case Study in Prioritization and Targeting using Open Source Software
Talbot MT, Isensee M, Pynn B · Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts Annual Conference
- TalkDec 2020Virtual
Investigating the impact of ET model choice for DRAINMOD in the upper Midwest
Talbot MT · Midwest Drainage Research Forum
- TalkJun 2018Minneapolis, MN
Locating and Evaluating the Costs and Benefits of Urban LID Retrofits
Talbot MT · EWRI World Environmental & Water Resources Congress
- TalkFeb 2018Brampton, ON
What to do when your lidar is out of date: a modeling perspective
Talbot MT · 51st International Conference on Water Management Modeling (ICWMM)
- TalkFeb 2018Brampton, ON
Locating and Evaluating the Costs and Benefits of Urban LID Retrofits
Talbot MT, Perera N · 51st International Conference on Water Management Modeling (ICWMM)
- TalkOct 2016St. Paul, MN
Modeling the Influences of Riverine Hydrology on Near-Channel Nesting Habitat for State-Listed Turtle Species
Naber JN, Ulrich JS, Talbot MT · 2016 Minnesota Water Resources Conference
- TalkMay 2016Madison, WI
Searching for the Goldilocks Water Quality Model
Emmons BH, Correll C, Talbot MT, Davenport T, Vincent P · 89th Central States Water Environment Association Annual Meeting
- TalkFeb 2015Brampton, ON
Rural Stormwater Management Model (RSWMM)
Olivier C, Talbot MT · 48th International Conference on Water Management Modeling (ICWMM)
- TalkOct 2014St. Paul, MN
Assessment of Bioretention Device Performance by Use of Water Level Recordings
Talbot MT · 2014 Minnesota Water Resources Conference
Honors & Awards
Awarded for travel to the AGU25 Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Awarded for travel to the AGU24 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.
Service & Leadership
Certifications & Training
Specialized training
HPC System Administrator Workshop
January 2026University of Colorado Boulder / RMACC
- Selected for a competitive, immersive 5-day NSF-funded training (Grant #2322260) on research computing infrastructure
- Developed a deeper, hands-on understanding of HPC system architecture, image-based provisioning, and SLURM-based job scheduling in production research environments
Certifications
Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)
Since 2016Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
Credential ID: US-16-09490
Graduate Student Teaching Certificate Course (GSTCC)
In ProgressColorado State University
Professional Memberships
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE)
Member, 2007 – Present
Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM), 2016 – Present
American Geophysical Union (AGU)
Member, 2024 – Present
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Member, 2024 – Present
American Water Resources Association (AWRA)
Member, 2025 – Present