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Topics for the classroom:
- Water Quality/Bioassessment
- Invasive Species
- Density/Salinity
- Nitrogen
Education:
- Ph.D. candidate Ecology, University of Wyoming
- M.S. Biology, University of Central Missouri 2004.
- B.S. Biology, University of Central Missouri 2002.
Current Research:
My research focuses on streams located in Grand Teton National Park. Some streams have very low concentrations of nitrogen and would not support life without the help of nitrogen fixing cyanobacteria. I examine the contribution of these nitrogen fixers to the nitrogen budget in streams. Although my dissertation primarily focuses on nutrient cycling, my research interests span a broad range of topics within aquatic ecology. Didymosphenia geminata, aka "Didymo" or "rock snot", is an alga that can produce nuisance blooms of stalk material. I am currently examining some blooms here in Wyoming.
Background:
I grew up in Wisconsin, and I was very involved in a canoe club. I went backcountry canoeing every year around northern WI, MN, MI, and Canada. When canoeing, I fell in love with moose. That is when I decided I wanted to become a veterinarian or study moose in college. During my 1st college biology class, we dissected pigs. Dissection was an informative experience, but I decided neither studying mammals nor veterinary work would be the path for me. Then, I thought back to what I enjoyed earlier in my life and being out on the water made me very happy. Studying water allows me to be out on the water, and I can be around the mammals that I love. For my masters, I examined water quality and restoration of four ponds. Now I examine streams & rivers.
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