I am always looking for new undergraduate and graduate (MS or PhD) students to participate on projects in the lab. Please contact me if you are interested.
Graduate Students
Jonah Jimmerson (2024-) - MS in Conservation Biology (Undergrad: University of Tampa)
Project: Comparative population genomics of bivalves in coastal estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico
Alec Smith (2023-) - Biology MS (Plan B) (Undergrad - Central Michigan University: Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology)
Aaliyah Wright (2021-) - Earth and Ecosystem Science Ph.D. Student (Undergrad: Tuskegee University). NSF Graduate Research Fellow.
Project: Population genomics and phylogeography of genus Obovaria
Undergraduate Students
Autumn Brown (2024-) - Biology EEC Sophomore
Jessie Gibbins (2024-) - Biology EEC Junior
James (Jimmy) Haugh (2022-) - Biology EEC Senior, Goldwater Scholar.
Project (CMU Summer Scholar/HON499): Morphometric analyses on genus Epioblasma
Aiden Judge (2023-24) - Biology EEC Senior
Emily Petro (2024-) - Biology EEC Senior
Kyle Reynolds (2024-) - Biology EEC Senior
Past Lab Members
Lindsey Adams (2012) - Biology Natural Resources Major. Biologist with US Fish and Wildlife Service in Louisiana.
Dan Auer (2009-12) - Environmental Studies/Biology Natural Resources. Now an Outdoor Educator.
Joe Bailey (2010-11) - Biology Natural Resources Major.
Project (BIO403): Genetic population structuring of Lasmigona costata (Flutedshell, Bivalvia: Unionoida) in a recently glaciated landscape
Amelia Baird (2012) - Biology Major
Alec Barczewski (2022-23) - Biology EEC Major
Shaughn Barnett (2013-15) - M.S. in Conservation Biology (Undergrad: Grand Valley State University).
Project: Effects of dams and dam removals on mussel assemblages (Supervised by Dr. Daelyn
Woolnough)
Kate Beauchamp (2016-2020) - Biology Major. Now in Dentistry program at University of Michigan.
Project (HON499): DNA barcoding and geometric morphometrics to assess potential hybridization in Pyganodon (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from Beaver Island lakes
Caitlin Beaver (2016-2018) - M.S. in Conservation Biology. Now a lab manager in Dr. Nathan Johnson's lab at USGS in Gainesville FL.
Project: Conservation genetics of Snuffbox mussel (Epioblasma triquetra) populations in the Great Lakes drainage
Jennifer Bergner (2009-13) - M.S. in Conservation Biology (Undergrad: Bowling Green State University). Now biology undergraduate lab coordinator at Montana State University - Great Falls College.
Project: Does scale matter? Species and genetic diversity of unionid mussels in Great Lakes drainages.
(co-supervised by Dr. Daelyn Woolnough)
Erin Bertram (2011-12) - Environmental Studies/Biology Natural Resources. Completed an MS at the University of Texas at Tyler. Now a Biologist with Michigan EGLE.
Tyler Beyett (2016-2020) - Biology Major
Project (CMU Summer Scholar/HON499): Morphometric and DNA barcoding analyses to differentiate between endangered Fawnsfoot Mussels (Truncilla donaciformis) and common Deertoe Mussels (Truncilla truncata)
Ben Boetcher (2008-09) - Biology Major (ROTC). Now in U.S. Armed Forces.
Dr. Jamie Bucholz (2017-2019) - M.S. Biology (Undergrad: University of Wisconsin - River Falls, Ph.D.: Univeristy of Alabama). Now a postdoc at Virginia Tech.
Project: Conservation genomics of the Hickorynut mussel (Obovaria olivaria)
Mandi Caldwell (2012-2014) - M.S. in Conservation Biology (Undergrad: SUNY Brockport). Now a Biologist with US Fish and Wildlife Service in New York.
Project: Host fish testing on Epioblasma triquetra (Supervised by Dr. Daelyn Woolnough)
Kandis Cazenave (2014) - BS in Wildlife and Conservation Biology (Mississippi State University)
Project (CMUBS 2014 REU Program): Environmental drivers of shell shape in a freshwater gastropod from inland lakes and coastal Lake Michigan
*Kandis' poster was Honorable Mention for best student poster at the 2015 Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society symposium in St. Charles, MO*
Amanda Chambers (2013-2015) - M.S. Candidate (Undergrad: Lake Superior State University). Now a Biologist with the Michigan EGLE.
Project: A paired longitudinal study of freshwater mussel assemblages of the Chippewa and Pine Rivers in Michigan (Supervised by Dr. Daelyn Woolnough)
Briana Collins (2010-11) - Biology Pre-grad/Pre-prof Major. Now a Physical Therapist.
Project (HON499/BIO403): Testing the Post-Glacial Origins of Plain Pocketbook, Lampsilis cardium, (Bivalvia: Unionoida) in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan Using Microsatellite DNA Markers
Katie Colaccino (2009-10) - Biomedical Sciences Major.
Project (BIO403): Genetic Population Structuring in the Ellipse Mussel (Venustaconcha ellipsiformis) as a Result of Post-Glacial History in Michigan
Chris Finch (2008-09) - Biology Pre-grad/Pre-prof Major.
Adrienne Gibson (2012-2014) - M.S. in Conservation Biology (Undergrad: Grand Valley State University)
Project: Host fish testing on Lampsilis cardium (Supervised by Dr. Daelyn Woolnough)
Traci Griffith (2011-13) - M.S. in Conservation Biology (Undergrad: U. of Wisconsin - Eau Claire). Now a program officer at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation in St. Paul MN.
Project: Relating genetic and species diversity metrics of unionid mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) across variable habitats in the coastal regions of western Lake Erie.
Andy Harris (2008-11) - Biology Natural Resources Major and McNair Scholar.
Project (BIO403): Insular lake island biogeography of freshwater mollusks on the Lake Michigan island archipelago: Using lake metrics to predict species diversity. (Outstanding Student Presentation Award at 2010 ALSO/NABS meeting in Santa Fe, NM)
Project (McNair Program): Implications of phylogeographic structure in the Ellipse mussel (Venustaconcha ellipsiformis).
Dr. Trevor Hewitt (2013-2015) - M.S. in Conservation Biology (Undergrad: Michigan State University, PhD: University of Michigan). Research Associate at BioMILab, Lansing MI.
Project: Testing postglacial invasion routes for unionid mussels into the Great Lakes
Dr. Jordan Hoffman (2014-2016) - M.S. Candidate (Undergrad: Oakland University, MS: Tulane University, PhD: CUNY).
Project: Dispersal of Mapleleaf mussels across the Niagara Peninsula
Dr. Shay Keretz (2019-2023) - Earth and Ecosystem Science Ph.D. (MS: Mississippi State U., BS: University of Northern Arizona). Currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate at NOAA CIGLR.
Project: Monitoring and habitat modeling native and invasive freshwater mussel populations in the Detroit and St. Clair rivers.
Cole Keyworth (2021) - Biology EEC
Lindsay Kolich (2011-12) - Biology Natural Resources. Completed MS Program in Entomology at Purdue. Now an Invasive Species Biologist with MI EGLE.
Project (BIO403): Effects of the Dreissena polymorpha invasion on the genetic structure of Lasmigona costata (Bivalvia: Unionoida) in the Lake St. Clair delta and surrounding tributaries
*Lindsay was awarded the Best Student Poster at the 2012 International Association for Great Lakes Research conference*
Kelsey Krupp (2015-2017) - Biology Natural Resources. Now a mussel field technician with the Minnesota DNR.
Daryl Kuipers (2009-11) - Biology Pre-grad/Pre-prof Major. Now a practicing veterinarian in Clinton Twp. MI.
Ava Laszlo (2021-2023) - Research Technician.(B.S.: Oregon State University, M.S.: University of Texas at Tyler). Now a PhD student at University of Missouri.
Project: Freshwater Mussel Assessements and Restoration in Secord, Smallwood, Wixom and Sanford Lakes (Four Lakes Task Force).
Madison Layer (2018-2021) - Biology EEC. Completed MS Western Kentucky University in Stonefly (Plecoptera) systematics.
Project (CMU Summer Scholar/HON499): Morphometric and DNA barcoding analyses to differentiate among Lampsilis and Ortmannaia mussel species in the Great Lakes region.
*2021 Best CMU Honors' Project in STEM disciplines
Kierstin Loomis (2016) - Biology Major
Emily Marlow (2012) - Biomedical Sciences Major
Phil Mathias (2009-2016) - M.S. Candidate (Undergrad: University of Toledo)
Project: Geographic genetic structure and diversity of Quadrula quadrula (Bivalvia: Unionidae): Post-glacial colonization of the Great Lakes
(now working as a malacologist for Enviroscience)
Alana Miles (2012) - Biology Major
Ethan Nederhoed (2012) - Biology Natural Resources Major
Tonya Neuman (2008-10) - Biology Pre-grad/Pre-prof Major. Now a practicing veterinarian in northern Michigan (click here for a photo of Tonya's favorite mussel: Fusconaia).
Project (HON499/BIO403): DNA-barcoding, morphometrics, and identification of Pyganodon species from insular lakes on Lake Michigan islands.
Samantha Parker (2012-2013) - Biology Major
Wendy Paterson (2011-2013) - M.S. in Conservation Biology (Undergrad: SUNY Oswego). Now a benthic ecology technician at SUNY Buffalo State.
Project: Genetic structure of native Mapleleaf mussels (Quadrula quadrula) and effects of the Dreissena invasion in the western basin of Lake Erie.
Dylan Powell (2020-2022) - MS in Conservation Biology (BS: Iowa State University). Now a PhD student at the University of Arkansas.
Project: Environmental DNA monitoring of Snuffbox (Epioblasma triquetra) populations.
Lizzie Prochaska (2008-2010) - Biology Major. Recently completed M.S. in Marine Sciences at University of New England.
Project (BIO403): Evaluation of two unionid mussel species' movement patterns following transplantation. (Advisor: Dr. Daelyn Woolnough)
Parker Reitler (2012) - Biology Major
Mason Ross (2013) - Biology: Microscopy Major
Matt Rowe (2010-2012) - M.S. in Conservation Biology. Now a Unionid Biologist for the Georgia DNR.
Project: The genetic structure of remnant Fatmucket mussel (Lampsilis siliquoidea) populations in the St. Clair River delta and surrounding tributaries following the invasion of dreissenid mussels.
Gabrielle Sanfilippo (2021-2023) - MS in Conservation Biology (BS: Michigan State University). Now a research technician at BioMILab.
Project: Assessment and population genomics of Slippershell (Alasmidonta viridis) populations in the Great Lakes drainage
Emily Schafer (2014) - Biology Major
Baleigh Schuler (2013-2016) - B.S. in Biomedical Sciences. Now in an MD-PhD program at IUPUI.
Project (CMUBS 2013 REU Program, HON499 Project): Genetic and Morphological Diversity in Pyganodon (freshwater bivalves) on Beaver Island*
*2016 Best CMU Honors' Project in STEM disciplines
Mariah Scott (2009-2017) - M.S. Conservation Biology (Undergrad: CMU).
MS Project: Population structure, genetic diversity, and colonization history of the Eastern Pondmussel, Ligumia nasuta, in the Great Lakes watershed
Undergrad Project (CMU HON499/ORSP Summer Scholarship): Testing Hypotheses of Atlantic Coastal Origin for the Endangered Eastern Pondmussel, Ligumia nasuta, (Bivalvia: Unionoida) in the Great Lakes.
Emmett Smrcka (2019-2020) - Snail surveys in inland lakes: which lake characteristics predict invasion by non-native viviparid snails? (MCNALMS Student Research Scholarship project)
Jenna Sokol (2021-2022) - Biology EEC Major
Nick Trombley (2021) - Biology Major
Aaron Vlasak (2022-23) - Biology EEC Major
Dr. Nichelle Van Tassel (2018-2023) - Earth and Ecosystem Science Ph.D. Candidate (MS and Undergrad: University of West Florida), currently a bioinformatics Research Associate at the Smithsonian National Zoo Conservation Genomics Lab.
Project: Comparison of genetic/genomic diversity between wild and captive-bred populations of freshwater mussels; phylogeography and population genomics of the freshwater genus Ptychobranchus.
Lauren Western (Summer 2023) - BS in Wildlife and Conservation Biology (University of Montana)
Project (CMUBS 2023 REU Program): Environmental drivers of shell shape in the freshwater gastorpod Campeloma decisum from inland lakes.
Julia Willsie (2018-2021) - Biology EEC Major. Completed MS at the University of Windsor (Canada)
Project (CMU Summer Scholar/HON499): Morphometric and DNA barcoding analyses to differentiate between Round Pigtoe (Pleurobema sintoxia) and Wabash Pigtoe (Fusconaia flava) in the Great Lakes draiange*
*2021 CMU Provost Award for Undergraduate Research
