My dissertation research at Mississippi State was an interdisciplinary view into wetlands management wherein the management practices were primarily targeted for waterfowl feeding and overwintering habitat. I quantified harvest of native crayfish species in moist-soil wetlands throughout the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. I also quantified the economic value of the crayfish harvest as well as determine consumer acceptability of this seafood product. Finally, I quantified and compared nutrient and sediment loads delivered by moist-soil wetlands and fallow croplands during winter.
My postdoctoral and independent contract research through the West Tennessee River Basin Authority evaluates fish responses to various stream restoration practices in West Tennessee. Stream systems in this region are sand-dominated and greatly channelized which has overtime altered sediment delivery and therefore has resulted in the decline of fish habitat. Through channel recreation and installation of grade control structures, engineers hope to alleviate sediment delivery problems. Via annual sampling and integration of PIT tag technology, we are actively trying to understand benefits of these stream restoration practices. I also use remotely-sensed data to develop models of flow regime in data-poor, ungaged watersheds.
I've independently investigated microplastic ingestion by stream invertebrates in streams of the Upper Tennessee River Basin. Whereas microplastics (like pictured below) have been found in most organisms sampled, my mentee and I found that microplastics in regular tap water and de-ionized laboratory water may be further contaminating samples. This challenge will likely make identifying novel microplastics in the wild difficult. Her presentation can be found here: https://fisheries.org/2020/04/virtual-spring-conference-may-6-poster-presentations/
EDUCATION
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2014
Mississippi State University
Doctor of Philosophy, Forest Resources
2007
Mississippi State University
Master of Science, Wildlife and Fisheries Science
2000
The Ohio State University
Bachelor of Science, Zoology
2018-Present
Post-Doctoral Research Scientist
West Tennessee River Basin Authority
Evaluated fish responses to numerous stream restoration practices in Tennessee; develop models of river geometry
2016-2017
Research Coordinator
University of Tennessee
Department of Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries
Quantified use of suggested water quality BMPs by Tennessee Foresters
2012-2013
Research Associate
Louisiana State University
Louisiana Sea Grant
Quantified ghostfishing activity of derelict fishing gear in the Gulf of Mexico. Managed a Marine Debris Prevention program.
2001-2003
Research Assistant
North Carolina State University
Department of Zoology
Collected and aged larval Yellow Perch of Lake Michigan. Collected and identified eggs of migratory fishes in the Neuse River.
2000-2001
Research Technician
The Ohio State University
Aquatic Ecology Laboratory
Collected and aged all life stages of Crappies in Ohio Reservoirs