Research Experience

My PhD research was focused on investigating triploid (sterile) Walleye Stizostedion vitreum growth, population dynamics, and ecology, and how they differ from normal, diploid Walleye. Walleye is a widely distributed and economically important fish species throughout North America but is not native to the western United States. Walleyes can be invasive and negatively impact native species in their introduced range. Stocking of Walleyes is prohibited in many parts of the West, yet illegal introductions and natural dispersal are common. Managers need a means to limit the impact of introduced Walleyes. Some agencies, including Colorado, Montana and Utah, have begun stocking triploid Walleyes, which are functionally sterile and could help prevent the establishment of new Walleye populations in sensitive areas. My duties included: conducting field research in northeastern and southwestern Colorado reservoirs, managing field and lab crews of up to six people, managing a database for field and lab data, conducting data analysis, and communicating findings at conferences and through scientific publications.

At the MADMF Age and Growth Lab, we were tasked with determining the age of 15,000+ individuals annually from a variety of marine species found in the Gulf of Maine and Mid-Atlantic. I am proficient in extracting, preparing and ageing a variety of age structures including otoliths, statoliths, scales, opercula, and spines. I have experience with examining otoliths for OTC marks, microstructural analysis, and measuring growth increments. I have spent 40+ days at sea involved with state, federal, and industry-based bottom trawl surveys; inshore rod and reel surveys; and gear deployment/recovery.

As a member of the CBFS Great Lakes Ecology Lab, I was part of a team investigating temporal trends in abundance, fecundity, and life history traits of Mysis diluviana across the Laurentian Great Lakes. I enumerated, measured, and identified sex and maturity status of 10,000+ Mysis diluviana from 100s of samples following standard Environmental Protection Agency protocols. In addition, I identified and enumerated Limnocalanus macrurus, Cercopagis pengoi, and Bythotrephes cederstroemi found in each sample.

I conducted 3,000+ interviews of Oneida Lake recreational anglers at access points and from a self-operated vessel to estimate recreational fishing effort, catch, and harvest. I assisted with the long-term ecological monitoring of Oneida Lake. I supported standardized sampling efforts including: bottom trawling, acoustics, fyke and trap net sampling, seining, benthic, boat electroshocking. I trained undergraduate research assistants on proper field sampling and safety protocols and supervised field surveys.

Using the Wisconsin Bioenergetics model, I analyzed the aggregate predation impacts that Walleye Stizostedion vitreum, Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu, and Largemouth Bass M. salmoides exhibited on a shared prey item, Yellow Perch Perca flavescens. I prepared, aged, and measured annuli on 800+ black bass scale samples to estimate back-calculated length-at-age to inform the model with localized growth data. I authored a report on this research that resulted in multiple presentations and a publication in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.

I assisted with studies of Brown Trout Salmo trutta behavior and physiology in response to hypolimnetic releases of diverted water into Esopus Creek, NY. I was responsible for monitoring habitat use and daily movement patterns of 30+ Brown Trout using radio telemetry. I also assisted with stream habitat, body condition, and population surveys.