People

I've been fortunate to work with the following people on formal projects and many others informally.

Current colleagues

Elizabeth Nelson, National Park Service, 2019-present

Gracie Mertes, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2022. Fish use of native mussel shells as nurseries or refugia. 2021 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Maggie McQuown, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2021. Assessing the acute toxicity of winter road salt on the Fatmucket freshwater mussel, Lampsilis siliquoidea. 2021 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1770.

Eva Neira, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2021. Determining the natural glochidial hosts for the Fatmucket mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea). 2021 Recipient of University of Minnesota, CFANS Unpaid Internship Grant scholarship, $200.

Christiana Wilke, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2021. Early life history of the Fatmucket mussel: host attracting behaviors and larval hosts. 2021 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1730.

Past collaborators

Katrina Carrow, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2020. Identification of suitable Wabash Pigtoe mussel (Fusconaia flava) hosts. 2020. Volunteer intern.

Sam Taylor, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2020. Improving Threehorn mussel (Obliquaria reflexa) conservation through early life history research: conducting laboratory studies to identify suitable host fishes. 2019 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Chris Rounds, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2019. Robot-assisted conservation research on two federally endangered mussels: observational data needed to reveal life history requirements. 2019 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Alex Franzen, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2018. Improving conservation of the federally endangered spectaclecase mussel with natural history research and host management recommendations. 2018 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Avery Sampson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2017. Determining best food source for captive reared Actinonaias ligamentina. 2017 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Cameron Swanson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2017. Effects of Land Use on a Threatened Mussel (Ligumia subrostrata) and its Host Fishes in the Rock River. 2017 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Alex Franzen, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2017. Determining hosts for the federally endangered spectaclecase mussel (Cumberlandia monodonta). 2017 Recipient of University of Minnesota, College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resource Sciences Internship Grant, $1000.

Kirsten Vacura, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2016. St. Croix River walleye and sauger fisheries: generating statistics to improve sustainable harvest. 2016 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Briana Burke, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2016. Brooding behavior of the federally endangered winged mapleleaf. 2016 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Trurisa Pathoumthong, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2016. Determining cylindrical papershell life history needs. 2016 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Dan Larson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2015. Improving creek heelsplitter conservation efforts through improved understanding of life history requirements. 2015 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Xe Khang, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2015. Habitat improvement and improvement assessment to increase stream trout habitat in Eagle Creek. 2015 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Andy Reisgraf, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2015. Movement of invasive carp species into Minnesota waters and their impact on native planktivorous fishes. 2015 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Erin Haws, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2015. Conservation of the freshwater mussel creek heel splitter (Lasmigona compressa) through life history research. 2015 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Elizabeth Rasmussen, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2014. Improving creek heelsplitter (Lasmigona compressa (Mollusca: Bivalvia)) conservation through life history research: host fish identification and glochidia identification key. 2014 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

John Douglas, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2014. Improving creek heelsplitter (Lasmigona compressa (Mollusca: Bivalvia)) conservation through life history research: identification of naturally infested juvenile mussels and description of female brooding behavior. 2014 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Grace Van Susteren, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2014. Determining life history requirements of a threatened freshwater mussel, the spike (Elliptio dilatata). 2014 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Peter Leonard, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2014. Researching life history requirements of the flutedshell (Lasmigona costata) to improve conservation efforts. 2014 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Ben Davis, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2013. Improving flutedshell conservation through improved understanding of life history requirements. 2013 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Sean Keogh, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2013. Population dynamics of round pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia) and Wabash pigtoe (Fusconaia flava) and their host fishes in the Yellow River, WI. 2013 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Libby Wanner, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2013. Conserving endangered species through identifying life history requirements of federally endangered mussels. 2013 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Iman Pakzad, Breck High School student, 2012. Mechanisms of host infection among Pleurobemini species.

Alex Fulton, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2011. Determining early life history requirements of the rock pocketbook (Arcidens confragosus) or round pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia) mussels. 2011 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Kiru Wolf, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2011. Identifying the host of the wartyback mussel. 2011 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Lindsay Cregar, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2009. Identification of rare mussel species naturally infesting freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens). 2009 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Erika Guenther, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2009. Determining life history traits of sheepnose (Bivalvia: Unionoida: Plethobasus cyphyus) to improve conservation of a rare species. 2009 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Sonya Sturgis, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2008. Determining suitable fish hosts and brooding behavior for the endangered sheepnose mussel (Plethobasus cyphyus). 2008 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Andres Morantes, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2006. Determination of fish species naturally infested with elktoe (Alasmidonta marginata) glochidia. 2006 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Nissa Rudh, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2006. Determining suitable fish hosts and brooding behavior of Minnesota threatened butterfly, Ellipsaria lineolata (Mollusca: Bivalvia). 2006 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Jennifer Stevenson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2006. Identification of suitable hosts for elktoe (Alasmidonta marginata) glochidia. 2006 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Jennifer Bury, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2005. A key to glochidia of St. Croix River native mussels (Mollusca: Bivalvia: Unionidae) that produce small glochidia. Senior thesis, College of Biological Sciences, University of Minnesota.

Luke Kusilek, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2005. Identification of Anodontine glochidia from naturally infested fishes caught from the St. Croix River. 2005 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Jonathan Wagner, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2005. Identification of host fish(es) for the elktoe (Alasmidonta marginata). 2005 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Vikash Kanodia, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2004. Dermination of host fishes for pistolgrip glochidia and development of interactive data entry web page. 2004 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Meggie Marzec, Breck High School, high school student. 2004. Analysis of superior round pigtoe glochidia hosts.

Kaia Yngve, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2004. Identification of select glochidia from naturally infested fishes caught from the St. Croix River. 2004 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Mark Ledford, Breck High School, high school student. 2003. ­ Snuffbox host suitability analysis. American Fisheries Society Hutton Scholarship recipient, $3000.

Meggie Marzec, Breck High School, high school student. 2003. ­ Round pigtoe host suitability analysis.

Erick Simonsen, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2003. ­ Dermination of host fishes for round pigtoe glochidia. 2003 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Ben Bloemke, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2002. ­ Description of creek heelsplitter and purple wartyback glochidia. 2002 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Nick Dillon, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2002. Food selectivity of juvenile mapleleaf reared in St. Croix River water. 2002 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Vikash Kanodia, Breck High School, high school student. 2002. ­Food selectivity of juvenile mapleleaf reared in Mississippi River water. 2002 Intel Student Research Program.

Dan Schriever, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2002. Comparison of growth and survivorship of juvenile mapleleaf reared in three substrates. 2021 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Mike Schwebach, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2002. Identification of suitable host fishes for mapleleaf (Quadrula quadrula) glochidia. 2002 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Tessa Diedrich, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2001. Identification suitable host fishes for Higgins eye (Lampsilis higginsii) glochidia. 2001 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1700.

Marissa McGill, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2001. Identification of suitable host fishes for creek heelsplitter (Lasmigona compressa) glochidia. 2001 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Carrie Nelson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2001. Determination of optimal rearing temperature for propagating federally endangered Higgins eye (Lampsilis higginsii) juveniles. 2001 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1500.

Whitney Taylor, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2001. Identification of juvenile mussels naturally infesting St. Croix River fishes.  2001 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Pat Cliff, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2000. Identification of suitable host fishes for winged mapleleaf glochidia. 2000 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Matthew Hass, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 2000. Determination of natural host fish use by winged mapleleaf glochidia. 2000 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1800.

Jessica Lynch, University of Minnesota, visiting undergraduate student. 2000. Description of host attracting behavior of the freshwater mussel monkeyface (Quadrula metanevra). 2000 recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $5000.

Emily Peters, visiting undergraduate student. 2000. Determination of olfactant host attractant use in the freshwater mussel monkeyface (Quadrula metanevra). 2000 recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $5000.

Maureen Bayer, visiting undergraduate student. 1999. Aquatic bioassessment of impacts of various landuse practices in the Oak Savanna Region of southern Minnesota. 1999 recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $5000.

Lefric Enwall, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1998. Determination of lipid levels in juvenile black sandshell. 1998 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300.

Jodi Gustafson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1998. Relationship between fish and mussels in the Big Fork River.  1998 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300.

Jennifer L. Sieracki, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1998. Identification of chemical cues used by freshwater mussels to attract host fishes. 1998 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunites Program scholarship, $1300. Assisted with research on identification of suitable hosts for winged mapleleaf, assession of mussels at the Bell Museum of Natural Resources, and survey of the Little Fork River.

Melissa M. Tenpas, visiting undergraduate student. 1998. Identification of chemical cues used by freshwater mussels to attract host fishes. 1998 recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $5000. Also assisted with Little Fork River mussel survey project.

Jennifer E. Kurth, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1997-99. Project (1) Identification of suitable hosts for pistolgrip. 1997 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200. Project (2) Culture of juvenile freshwater mussels. 1998 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300. Assisted with research on identification of suitable hosts for purple wartyback, ellipse, and winged mapleleaf, and survey of the Little Fork River.

Cynthia Lee, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1997-99. Project (1) Identification of suitable hosts for pistolgrip. 1997 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200. Project (2) Culture of juvenile freshwater mussels.  1998 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300. Research assistant, 1998.

Parnell A. Mahoney, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1997-98. Project (1) Identification of juvenile mussels collected from naturally infested St. Croix River fishes. 1997 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300.  Project (2) Identification of juvenile mussels collected from naturally infested St. Croix River drum. 1998 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300.

Mike Bomier, visiting undergraduate student. 1997. Bioassessment of the Big Sandy River watershed. recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $4800.

Amy Jacobson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1997. Qualitative survey for mussels in the Big Fork River. 1997 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300.

Kris Kuda, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1997. Bioassessment of the Phalen Chain of Lakes Watershed. 1997 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300.

Johanna Schussler, visiting undergraduate student. 1997. Biomonitoring of drainages in the Phalen Chain of Lakes of Watershed. 1997 recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $5000. Also assisted with Big Fork River mussel survey project.

Shawn Strong, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1997. Quantitative survey for mussels in the Big Fork River. 1997 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1300.

Katie R. Hillegass, University of Minnesota, volunteer. 1996-97.  Identification of suitable hosts for ellipse and species-specific molecular marker for rare St. Croix River mussels.

Vanessa E. Pepi, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1996-97. Project (1) Identification of suitable hosts for pistolgrip. 1996 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200. Project (2) Identification of suitable hosts for pistolgrip. 1997 Recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200.

Collette Buchenwaltz, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1996. Assessment of water quality and fishes of Sarita Wetland. 1996 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200.

Jess Gourley, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1996. Bioassessment of aquatic invertebrates of Sarita Wetland. 1996 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200.

Kristian A. Knudsen, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1996. Identification of suitable hosts for spectaclecase. 1996 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200.

Katrina Simon, visiting undergraduate student. 1996. Bioassessment of the Big Sandy River watershed. 1996 recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $4800.

Tom W. Anderson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1995-96. Project (1) Identification of suitable hosts for ellipse. 1995 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200. Project (2) Biomonitoring subdrainages in the Phalen Chain of Lakes Watershed. 1996 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1200.

Elaine R. Evers, University of Minnesota, volunteer. 1994. Identification of suitable hosts for the purple wartyback and black sandshell.

Laurie A. Sovell, University of Minnesota, undergraduate volunteer. 1994. Identification of suitable hosts for the purple wartyback, black sandshell, and fluted shell.

Giana Vargas, visiting undergraduate student. 1994. Assessment of feeding habits and cannibalism in young walleye. 1994 recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $4500.

Eric M. Peterson, University of Minnesota, undergraduate student. 1993-94. Identification of suitable hosts for Utterbackia imbecillis.  1994 recipient of University of Minnesota, Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program scholarship, $1100. Also volunteered with projects to identify suitable hosts for the purple wartyback, black sandshell, cylindrical papershell, and flutedshell.

Erin M. Long, visiting undergraduate student. 1992. Identification of suitable hosts for purple wartyback. 1992 recipient of University of Minnesota, Biological Sciences Summer Internship Program scholarship, $4500. Also volunteered with projects to identify suitable hosts for the purple wartyback, black sandshell, and flutedshell.

Margaret Peteler, University of Minnesota, volunteer. 1991-93. Identification of suitable hosts for the purple wartyback, black sandshell, cylindrical papershell, paper pondshell, creek heelsplitter, ellipse, and flutedshell.

Robin Engelking, University of Minnesota, volunteer. 1991-95. Identification of suitable hosts for the purple wartyback, black sandshell, cylindrical papershell, paper pondshell, creek heelsplitter, ellipse, and flutedshell, and mussel survey of the Prairie River.

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