Current Students

Jason Fischer - Underdgraduate Student

I am a Fisheries and Wildlife student and a research assistant in Dr. Peacor's lab. I am also doing a Senior Research Project on fish induction of Bythotrephes spine length.

Andrea Jaeger Miehls- PhD student

https://www.msu.edu/~jaegeran/

Aquatic ecosystems worldwide are in the midst of large-scale ecological alteration owing to exotic species invasion, fisheries collapse, trophic uncoupling from global climate change, and rapid loss of native biodiversity, amongst others. The ability of species, communities, and ecosystems to respond to and recover from these stressors is of paramount importance. My research aims to understand the processes by which ecosystems adapt to perturbation; in particular, I am interested in the evolutionary effects that exotic species have on their invaded ecosystems.

I recently (spring 2006) completed a Masters degree under the supervision of Dr. Doran Mason in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (FW) and Michigan State University (MSU). My Masters research focused on quantifying the food web effects of exotic species (Dreissena polymorpha - the zebra mussel) invasion on the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario, and Oneida Lake, New York. Currently, I am a PhD student in the FW Department at MSU working with Drs. Andrew McAdam and Scott Peacor. My PhD research examines rapid evolutionary change in Great Lakes ecosystems subsequent to exotic species (Bythotrephes longimanus - the spiny water flea) invasion.

Keali Chambers: Research Assistant

I am senior at Michigan State University. I am a double major in Fisheries and Wildlife and Lyman Briggs. I will graduate in the Spring of 2010 with B.S. in Environmental Sciences and Management from Lyman Briggs and a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife. My Main interests are limnology and aquaculture, but I am interested in all facets of water issues. I plan to go on for a Master's program once I graduate.

Dianna Miller

As a Michigan native, I grew up around the water, and spent much of my childhood exploring nearby lakes and wetlands. This natural curiosity lead me to pursue academic interests in aquatic sciences. I attended Michigan State University (MSU), where I participated in a study abroad program in San Salvador, Bahamas, interned at the Belle Isle Aquarium, and worked as an assistant in several research labs. Following graduation from MSU in 2005 with a BS in Zoology, I went on to pursue a Masters degree at Auburn University in the Department of Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures. My Masters research focused on production of epibenthic and fish assemblages on artificial reefs and I recently graduated in spring 2008. Living and working on the Gulf Coast was a wonderful experience, but Im now happy to be back in my home state. I am currently a PhD student under the supervision of Dr. Scott Peacor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at MSU. My future research will examine the effects of multiple stressors in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. I am specifically interested in the effects of invasive Dreissena mussels on the recent proliferation of dead Cladophora algae or muckwashing up on Great Lakes shorelines.

Kevin Pangle - PhD Student + Kevin's web site

I am a graduate student pursuing a PhD degree in Michigan State University's Fisheries and Wildlife department and the Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Behavior program. I enjoy conducting ecological research in which I apply recently developed, basic knowledge to current, relevant problems. I am currently focused on the effects of an invasive invertebrate predator, Bythotrephes longimanus , on the Great Lakes pelagic food web. Using field observations and laboratory experiments, colleagues and I have found that Bythotrephes induce native zooplankton prey to migrate vertically to deep, cool regions of the water column. Vertical migration reduces prey vulnerability to Bythotrephes but comes at a large cost to prey birth rate. In fact, we have shown that these "nonlethal" effects of Bythotrephes on native prey populations due to vertical migration can be as strong as or even stronger than the effects of Bythotrephes due to direct consumption of prey. My future research plans include examining how Bythotrephes' nonlethal effects indirectly affect other members of the Great Lakes food web, including age-0 fish, and evaluating the prey's response to Bythotrephes from a more evolutionary perspective.

Jennifer Pellegrini: Research Assistant

I graduated from MSU in May 2008 with a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife. I have an interest in aquatic ecosystems and invasive species. I plan to continue my education by earning a Master's degree and PhD in aquatic ecosystems.

Kim Peters: Master's Student

My undergraduate work focused on Environmental Policy with a specialization in Mathematics and Economics at Bowling Green State University. This prior training and a passion for research guided my ambition to pursue a Master's in the Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University. Specifically, I will be involved in the Saginaw Bay Multiple Stressors project developing and testing models associated with harmful algal blooms and "muck" (decaying algal matter washed up on shore that impedes aesthetics and may be a source of E. coli growth).

Beyond my upcoming research, my interests encompass Great Lakes issues and the interaction of scientists and policymakers in this area. After my Master's program, I have full intention of continuing my studies toward a PhD with my principle goal of teaching at the collegiate level.

Peacor Lab Alumni

Kurt Anderson - Research Assistant

Katrina Button - Master's Student

Brittany Gunther - Undergraduate Student

Sri Kakulavarapu - Research Assistant

Katrina Krieger - Undergraduate Student

Andria Salas - Research Assistant

Jingjie Zhang - Post Doc