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Scott Tiegs, PhD. Aquatic Ecology Lab P.I., Professor of Biological Sciences.
Elizabeth parkinson, PhD Student. I am a PhD Student in the Aquatic Ecology Lab, and honored to be a Fellow in the National Science Foundations’ Graduate Research Fellowship Program. My research examines the effect artificial light at night has on aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate community assemblages and riparian spider predation. Additionally, I am focusing on how artificial light at night impacts cross-system resource exchange and how this is influenced by specific color spectra.
Elainarose Trenkamp, PhD StudentI am a PhD Student with a B.S. in Environmental Science and Sustainability with a minor in Political Science. I specialize in various duties around the lab including but not limited to: processing leaf litter bags, grinding and ashing leaf litter, as well as creating and processing cotton strips. With my degree I hope to pursue a career in wetland conservation research.
Adam Cannella, B.S. Student
I'm a Bachelor's student in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, with a minor in Film. I have been working in Dr. Tiegs' lab since 2024, helping PhD students with fieldwork in rivers around Michigan, applying, retrieving, and testing cotton strips. Dr. Tiegs mentors my Honors College research focusing on understanding why tropical butterflies drink the tears of Amazon river turtles. I plan to conduct field experiments on this phenomenon in Winter of 2027.Lydia Girard, B.S. StudentI'm currently a Bachelor's student majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, with a minor in Spanish. Dr. Tiegs is working with me as my mentor for my Honors College thesis, where I am assisting a graduate student with her research. This research explores the impacts of artificial light at night on stream macroinvertebrates. Research in this field will allow me to gain knowledge on aquatic systems and their surrounding environment.
Zoya Mistry, B.S. StudentI am currently a Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Major with a concentration in Pre-Clinical Professions.I have been working in Dr. Tiegs’ Lab for more than a year now. My work in the lab includes making cotton strips and also checking everyone else’s strips to make sure they are made accurately. I keep a headcount of the total number of strips we have in the lab so that everything goes smoothly!
Ana Koch, B.S StudentI am an Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology student hoping to pursue the field of Zoology or Marine Biology. In the lab, I assist with making cotton strips and using the tensiometer to measure the tensile strength of sample strips.
Ayden Downey, B.A. StudentI am a first year at OU and I plan to get my masters in Psycology. In the aquatic ecology lab I assist in making cotton strips that get put in bodies of water across the globe which measures the carbon cycle.
Emma Ridings, B.S. StudentI am an Enviornmental Science major and my role is a lab technician. My primary jobs are to assist with drying, weighing and ashing samples in the lab. After my degree, I am interested in continuing my studies in Grad school.
Riley Demond, B.S. StudentWhile I earning my Bachelor’s in Environmental Science at OU, I worked in the lab assisting Dr. Tiegs with analyzing leaf litter decomposition using cotton strip assays through field work in the U.P.. After graduating, I’ve started my first full-time position as an Environmental Programs Technician at Conti LLC developing their new environmental program.
Trevor Arneil, B.S StudentI am studying Environmental Science with a Specialization in Resource Management. I am currently in my senior year and plan on working in conservation or something to do with stream management. I want to do my part to help improve our environment. My tasks in the lab is making cotton strips to be used to test decomposition rates in streams.
Ryan Andrews, M.S. Student. I recently graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. I will be continuing my education as a M.S student in aquatic ecology/limnology. My research will likely be related to decomposition and carbon cycling within lakes, rivers and streams.
Katri Studtmann, M.S. StudentMy research interests include studying the anthropogenic effects on aquatic ecosystems. I think the way humans affect the environment around them is fascinating. I am excited to learn more about those effects and how to mitigate them.
Eric Diesing, M.S. Student. My research interests involve developed aquatic ecosystem function and restorative activities working with native communities. I work for the Clinton River Watershed Council as the Watershed Ecologist. My other interest include invasive species impacts and fish and wildlife habitat conservation.
Jeremy Geist, PhD (graduated Summer 2022. Now the Great Lakes Restoration Coordinator for Trout Unlimited)My research involves studying the impacts of the invasive New Zealand mud snail on native aquatic communities in Northern Michigan streams. Ongoing research interests include restoration ecology, aquatic invertebrate ecology, fish ecology and invasive species.
Mailee Mersino, Lab Manager. As a laboratory assistant, I assist with ongoing and upcoming projects in the lab, as well as general lab maintenance. My research interests include the anthropogenic effects on the environment and how it affects ecological and human health.
Jasmine Mancuso, M.S. Lab Manager (Now a Research Lab Associate at CILER). As the lab manager of the Aquatic Ecology Lab, I assist with various ongoing research projects and general lab upkeep. My research interests include the ecology and physical aspects of rivers and lakes, the ecosystem effects of invasive species and harmful algae, and ecosystem conservation and management.
Emily Bovee, M.S.(graduated Summer 2022, Now a Research Associate with the Detroit Zoo)My research focuses on growth rates of New Zealand Mud Snails (NZMS) and how they relates to changing forest composition, as well as using environmental DNA to detect NZMS in rivers.
Melanie BrunoHonor's StudentI am an undergraduate biology student assisting graduate students in the aquatic ecology lab while writing my thesis for the Honor's College. My research focuses on studying the effects of artificial light at night on Caenidae, a family of mayflies, and how their larval and adult stages might respond differently
Lance and Perry, Goldfish. (2013-2022) We are mascots of the Aquatic Ecology Lab. We were rescued from a local stream while grad students were electrofishing and have been happy living in the lab ever since. We enjoy eating fish food, and rooting around in our tank's sediment.
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