Andrea Price, Ph.D., Senior Research Specialist

Andrea Price earned her PhD in 2016 from McGill University in Physical Geography. She completed both her MSc and BSc from the University of Victoria in Earth and Ocean Sciences. Her graduate studies focused on using organic-walled microfossils as indicators of water quality in coastal regions around North America. She is currently a Senior Research Specialist in the North Limnology Lab and the Project Manager for the Statewide Lake Assessment Program. She moved to Missouri in 2022 and is enjoying getting to know Missouri’s lakes and cycling paths. 

Lorena Silva, Postdoctoral Fellow

Lorena Silva is a postdoctoral fellow in the School of Natural Resources at the University of Missouri and in the Horn Point Laboratory at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Her research interests include water quality, plankton dynamics, and ecosystem ecology. The overarching goal of her research is to understand how global change issues (e.g., eutrophication, land use change, pollution, urbanization, and climate change) impact the biodiversity and functioning of aquatic ecosystems using observational, experimental, and modeling approaches in habitats that range from streams and ponds to large lakes and river systems. She received her M.Sc. in the Department of Biology at the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro and her Ph.D. in the Department of Ecology at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, both in Brazil. Her current work has been focused on how earth-observing satellite data can better inform critical links between the biogeochemical and optical properties of inland waters. The results of this project will help target chlorophyll hotspots to track cyanoHABs across the state of Missouri. 

Stay tuned: https://sites.google.com/view/lorenapinheiro-silvaphd 

Zohreh Mazaheri Kouhanestani, Ph.D. Student

Zohreh is a Ph.D. student in the Water Resources program of the School of Natural Resources under the supervision of Dr. Rebecca North. She received a B.S. of Fisheries Sciences from Isfahan University of Technology and a M.Sc. of Aquatic Ecology from the Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Iran. Prior to joining MU, she worked as a Data Analyst at the Soil and Water Research Institute. Her past research consisted of the studying ichthyoplankton and phytoplankton communities in Coastal ecosystems as well as host-parasite relationship in stream fish species. She is going to investigate the impact of flood on Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) and the associated toxins in Missouri lakes and reservoirs. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking, hiking, and hopefully exploring the nature of Missouri. 

Amelia Littrell, B.S. - Natural Resource Science and Management

Amelia is a graduate from the University of Missouri in Natural Resources, with an emphasis in Fisheries and Wildlife. She joined the lab in Fall 2024 and has been working mostly in the lab as well as in the field. She is interested in a career in outdoor education and outreach, and really appreciates the versatility and new skills this job has come to offer. Outside of the lab, Amelia enjoys hiking and learning more about Missouri’s resources. 

Jacob Skipton, Undergraduate Student

Jacob Skipton is a senior studying Natural Resources Science and Management with an emphasis in Fisheries and Wildlife. He joined the Limnology lab in Fall 2022. He is interested in anything outdoors and loves to travel. Jacob plans to pursue a career in conservation after graduating from MU. 

Kari Leake, Undergraduate Student

Kari is a senior at Mizzou set to graduate in the spring of 2025 with a B.S. in Natural Resource Science and Management with an emphasis in Human Dimensions. She joined the MU Limnology Lab in the 2024 field season and has been working on sampling for the SLAP project, deploying buoys for the Thin Ice project, and working with postdoctoral fellow Lorena Silva to gather TRIOS data measuring radiance in lakes to help satellites identify algal blooms. Since joining the lab, she has become very interested in water quality and hopes to continue working or studying in the field.

Thalia Huebner, Undergraduate Student

Thalia is a senior at Mizzou graduating in Winter of 2025 with a Bachelor's of Science in Biology. She joined the lab in January of 2025 and works in and out of lab doing field work, analyzing nutrients from water samples, and prepping for the Thin Ice, SLAP, and ROSS projects. After graduating she will relocate to Canada to pursue a Masters in Marine Biology. 

Tobi Miller, Undergraduate Student

Tobi is a senior studying Natural Resources Science and Management with an emphasis in Forest Services. Tobi worked for two summers with the Rocky Mountain Conservation Corps and recently joined the limnology lab as a member of the field team in Fall 2025. Tobi enjoys hiking, rock climbing, and road tripping across the country. Tobi hopes to continue her work after graduation in environmental conservation and preservation and would love to keep working outdoors for as long as she can.

Robbie Tyson, Undergraduate Student

Robbie Tyson is senior at Mizzou studying Natural Resources Science and Management with an emphasis in Fisheries and Wildlife. He joined the Limnology lab in the Fall of 2025. In his free time, he likes to fish, hike, or do anything in the outdoors. After graduating, he plans to get his master's degree in wildlife science and continue on to work in game bird management or research. 

Braydon Dickmeyer, Undergraduate Student

Braydon is a sophomore at Mizzou studying Environmental Science in hydrology with a GIS certificate. His interest is hiking, working out, reading, listening to music, and tennis/pickleball. 

Sam Mulcahy, Undergraduate Student

Sam is a senior at Mizzou set to graduate in the spring of 2025 with a B.S. in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Hydrology and a minor in Computer Science. He joined the MU Limnology Lab in the 2025 field season as a SLAP Rover. He is interested in a career in environmental consulting, really enjoys field work, and hopes to gain more lab experience. In his free time he is a volunteer firefighter, rugby coach and player, and loves listening to music.

Mikayla Schroeder, REEU intern

Mikayla is an upcoming senior at the University of Vermont with a major in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. She comes from Nebraska originally and is excited to be returning to her midwestern roots for the summer of 2025 at the Mizzou Limnology Lab! Mikayla loves all things nature, with a particular admiration for aquatic ecosystems and a soft spot for macroinvertebrates. Outside of science, she enjoys watching movies, cooking, and working as president at UVM’s Wildlife and Fisheries Society (which, to be fair, is still kinda science).

Trevor Kelsay, Undergraduate Student

Trevor is a senior at Mizzou studying Environmental Science with an emphasis in land & soil. He joined the lab in the Summer of 2025 and splits his time between the lab and the field. In his free time, he enjoys going hiking, camping, biking, and doing anything outdoors and in nature. 

Trevor Vigus, Undergraduate Student

Trevor Vigus will graduate in December 2025 with a degree in Environmental Science and an emphasis in water. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, traveling, reading, and hanging out with his cat. After graduating, Trevor plans to pursue a career in a Department of Natural Resources. 

Christopher Kalogeris

Chris recently graduated from Mizzou with a Bachelor's in environmental sciences with an emphasis in water quality. He joined the North MU Limnology lab in the Spring of 2022 as a SLAP Rover, and continued into the 2023 field season. During his time at the lab, he has had the opportunity to travel most of Missouri, see many different reservoirs, get an appreciation for the beauty and variation of the state, and become familiar with many of Missouri's reservoirs. In his free time, he enjoys playing music, going for bike rides, taking hikes, and running. After graduating he wishes to continue working in this field either through the lab or through the Department of Natural Resources.

Mayra Velasquez, M.S., Research Specialist II

Mayra is a Resource Specialist II and will be contributing to various projects in Dr. North's lab. She holds an M.S. in Conservation Sciences from the University of Minnesota, where her research centered on analyzing lake characteristics to predict chloride concentrations in Minnesota’s lakes. Now relocating from the Twin Cities, Mayra is excited to explore more of the Midwest’s scenic parks and get back to enjoying time on the water while collecting samples!

Katherine Cullinane

Katherine is a senior at Mizzou set to graduate in May of 2025 with a B.S. in Natural Resource Science and Management with an emphasis in Fisheries and Wildlife. She joined the lab in Fall 2024 and works in lab analyzing samples and preparing future projects. After graduation, Katherine plans to work in wildlife management and outdoor education. 

Crystal Rein

Crystal Rein graduated magna cum laude from Columbia College with a BA in General Studies, Concentration in Education and Psychology. After several years of leading an elementary classroom, her career meandered into managing staff and volunteers at the local Columbia Farmers Market. After deeply contemplating her love for the outdoors and her desire to protect Missouri waterways, Crystal decided to return to undergraduate life by receiving an Environmental Science - Water degree at the University of Missouri in 2023, with aspirations to attend graduate school afterwards. Having joined the MU Limnology in 2020, Crystal learns something new about Missouri waterways each and every day. Her hobbies include canoeing, hiking, traveling, overlanding and growing her skills at fly fishing. 

Abby Williams

Abby is a senior Fisheries and Wildlife Science student at the University of Missouri, interested in studying marine organisms and ecosystems. She is currently working as a Lab Tech in the Limnology Lab as well as doing undergraduate research on small mammals in the Gompper Lab. This past summer she worked as a Marine Animal Rehabilitation Intern with harbor seals, gray seals, and Kemps Ridley sea turtles at the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. This past school year she worked as a Lab Tech in the Webb Waterfowl and Wetland Ecology Research Lab. After completing her Bachelor’s degree Abby plans to spend a year gaining work experience before beginning a Master’s in Marine Biology or Biological Oceanography. 

Ben Oesch

Ben is a junior studying fisheries and wildlife at the University of Missouri. He samples the larger reservoirs in Missouri with Danu, the speed boat. The samples he collects are for the SLAP program. Ben enjoys floating on Missouri's finest rivers and hunting and fishing. He hopes to work at the Missouri Department of Conservation after completing his education. 

Chris Brunet

Chris graduated in 2019 from Grinnell College with a B.A. in chemistry and a concentration in environmental studies. While at Grinnell, Chris worked on high-resolution monitoring of nutrient fluxes in agricultural streams and ponds. Before coming to the lab in the Fall of 2019, Chris studied coastal water quality as a Research Assistant at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. 

Clare Vanderwerken

Clare joined the lab in May of 2018 as a lab technician to help with the SLAP and LMVP projects. She graduated from Mizzou in August 2018 with her B. S. in Biological Sciences. She intends to pursue a career in a research field and is currently enjoying learning new things in the MU Limnology Lab. 

Cody Kimbell

Dan Obrecht

Dan started working in the limnology laboratory as an undergraduate in 1990. He received his BS in 1993 and his MS in 2010, both through the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at the University of Missouri. As an undergraduate, he helped establish the Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program; a successful program that is still engaging Missourian’s in the monitoring of reservoirs across the state. He has been the limnology laboratory manager since 2001. Away from work, Dan enjoys the outdoors and hopes to one day perfect his fly casting. 

Emily Kinzinger 

Emily joined the MU Limnology Lab in the fall of 2018 as an M.S. student under Dr. Rebecca North. Her research focuses on an assessment of the year-round presence and severity of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and their associated toxins. Emily received her B.S. in Environmental Science from Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO). She was previously employed as an Environmental Scientist, where she prepared technical analyses in the context of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

Erin Petty 

Erin graduated summa cum laude from the University of Missouri in 2017 with a B.S. in Soil, Environmental, and Atmospheric Science, and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She joined the MU Limnology Lab as a technician in the summer of 2017 and began her graduate studies in Water Resources at MU later that fall. As an M.S. student, her research focuses on algal dynamics and light-nutrient interactions within Missouri reservoirs. Previously employed as an assistant GIS specialist at the Missouri Department of Conservation, Erin is also interested in utilizing spatial analysis to examine landscape modification and eutrophication within Missouri systems.

Fatima Laraib

Fatima is a Ph.D. student in the Water Resources program under the supervision of Dr. Rebecca North. She received a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of Mississippi. Her undergraduate research focused on the species diversity of the understory and overstory in long-term monitoring plots at the University of Mississippi Field Station. Her current research focuses on cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms, the persistence and degradation of cyanotoxins in the un-monitored seasons (spring, fall, winter), and the effect of vitamin B1 on phytoplankton and cyanobacteria biomass. 

Hannah Jaeger

Hannah graduated in 2020 from the University of Missouri with a degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in water. She started in the lab in 2019 as an undergraduate researcher for the Lugnuts Project, looking at the impact different forms of nitrogen has on algal toxin concentrations in water. She now coordinates the ROSS project, which works with high school students to monitor harmful algal blooms year-round. 

Jacob Cianci-Gaskill 

Jacob recently joined the Limnology Lab as a PhD student under the tutelage of Dr. Rebecca North. He is interested in applied limnology issues such as harmful algal bloom management and understanding how invasive species introductions influence our lentic ecosystems. Jacob received his BS from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (Syracuse, NY) and his MS from Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, MI) where he studied the relationship between invasive dreissenid mussels and the cyanobacteria Microcystis in a low-nutrient lake.

Jannice Newson

Jannice Newson is a senior majoring in Soil, Environmental, and Atmospheric Science. She is interested in water quality, aquatic plants, and green infrastructure. She is a McNair Scholar and will begin working with Dr. Rebecca North on an undergraduate research project in Fall 2017. Currently, Jannice serves as a CAFNR Recruitment Intern and Secretary of Mizzou Black Women’s Initiative (MBWI). She has contributed to various projects including shoreline restoration evaluation at the Chicago Botanic Garden and recirculating aquaculture systems at the University of Michigan. After graduating from MU, she plans to obtain a M.S. in Environmental Science. 

Jaylen Bragg

My name is Jaylen Bragg, and I am a junior studying Environmental Science with an emphasis in Hydrology. I have a strong interest in how hydrological processes impact nutrient loading in freshwater ecosystems. I currently work in the Limnology lab as an undergraduate research assistant, and I will work in the lab full time during the summer of 2017. After obtaining my B.S. in Environmental Science, I plan on attending graduate school to obtain my M.S. in Environmental Science and continue researching lakes and freshwater ecosystems. 

Kendall Ivey

Kendall Ivey is a sophomore Fisheries and Wildlife major with a minor in Chemistry. She is interested in aquatic ecology and the impact of water quality on the balance of the ecosystem. Kendall began working with the limnology lab in the fall of 2019 as a research technician. She hopes to pursue graduate studies in either marine or freshwater fisheries with the goal of improving conservation efforts. 

Kiah Wright

Kiah joined the limnology lab during the fall of 2019. She is a senior Natural Resource Science & Management major with an emphasis in fisheries and wildlife. Kiah is interested in aquatic ecology and water quality as it relates to freshwater stream fishes, particularly threatened non-game species. Currently, she is also working for the Missouri Department of Conservation as a resource science aide and spent this past summer assisting in the monitoring of Niangua Darter and Longnose Darter populations in Southern Missouri. After graduation, Kiah hopes to obtain a graduate degree in fisheries biology so that she can pursue a career in aquatic science research. 

Kian Gallagher

Kian, a graduate of SUNY New Paltz, comes from Fishkill, NY, and earned his bachelor's degree in Organismal Biology. While attending SUNY New Paltz he did research at the Freshwater Biology Lab with Professor David Richardson, collecting data from Mohonk Lake and other ponds and lakes in Ulster County, NY. He is excited and grateful to be part of SLAP this summer and to work with everyone at the lab! 

Kyle Abruzzo

Kyle Abruzzo is a senior studying environmental sciences at the University of Missouri. He joined the MU Limnology Lab in the Spring of 2024, helping out with SLAP. In his free time, he enjoys adventuring, hiking, DJ-ing, and wildlife watching. In the future, he plans to move out to Colorado to continue work within the field of environmental sciences...and be in the mountains!

Kyra Florea

Kyra joined the Limnology lab during the summer of 2018. She is a senior Fisheries and Wildlife major and is currently working on an undergraduate thesis focusing on the relationship between dissolved organic matter and the formation of harmful algal blooms. Kyra hopes to pursue a graduate degree in either limnology or oceanography. 

Lexy Algiere

My name is Alexandria Algiere, but most people call me Lexy. I am currently a Senior attending Columbia College, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science. This summer I had the pleasure of interning with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) in the Resource Science Division’s (RSD) Environmental Health Unit (EHU), working specifically on a project looking at Tunnel Dam’s impact on dissolved oxygen in the lower Niangua River. My academic interests include studying botany, aquatic ecology, and water quality. 

Lillian Henderson

Lily is a junior studying environmental science with an emphasis in soils at the University of Missouri. She joined the lab in the summer of 2023 and collects data for the SLAP program. She is also involved in analyzing data for the ROSS program. She enjoys painting, reading, and swimming. After graduating she plans on pursing further education to earn her Ph.D. 

Madisyn Branch

Madisyn Branch graduates December of 2023 with a degree in Environmental Science with an emphasis in water. Her interests in environmental science include water quality and conservation. She began working as a field/lab technician in the limnology lab in spring of 2023, directly helping graduate student Fatima Laraib with her research project on how thiamine affects phytoplankton communities in freshwater lakes. She has also helped collect data for the SLAP program. She plans to attend graduate school to earn her masters degree in environmental science. 

Marissa Gerritson

Marissa Gerritson is currently an undergraduate student studying Biological Systems Engineering on the Natural Resources and Environmental Engineering track at UW-Madison. Marissa worked at the MU Limnology lab through a watershed management research and outreach internship program that focuses on relevant water issues in states throughout the Midwest. This summer, she is helping with lake sampling, creating a poster defending the validity of community science, and co-authoring educational materials regarding water issues with the other students in her program. Her favorite part of working in the lab is saying hello to the swans at Bethel Lake every week and her favorite part of life is spending time in nature and with friends and family. 

Matt Sauer

Matthew is a Fisheries and Wildlife graduate from the University of Missouri. He is interested in aquatic ecology, especially looking at how humans are impacting these ecosystems. He has been working for the Limnology Lab since February of 2016 and was a part of the SLAP field team during 2016 and 2017. 

Meghan Schrik

Meghan Schrik graduated from Regis University in 2016 with a BS in environmental science. There she did research in aquatic ecotoxicology and was a water quality intern for the city of Denver. She is currently traveling in New Zealand and Thailand. This summer she will be a lab technician for the University of Missouri before pursuing a MS in aquatic ecology in the fall. 

Nicole M. Sánchez-Matos

Nicole received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico, and her M.S. in Biotechnology from Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico. She has previous experience working in both a Limnology, and a Mycology lab back in Puerto Rico. At the MU Limnology lab, she is working as one of the lab technical staff for the Statewide Lake Assessment Program (SLAP). 

Owen Gallagher

Currently a Junior, I am an Environmental Science major with an emphasis on water quality and a minor in Sustainable Agriculture. This will be my first semester working under Dr. North with the Linked Undergraduate Research in Nutrients (LUGNUTS). Under Dr. North, I will be looking at the different impacts different nutrients have on harmful toxins produced during harmful algal blooms. With this degree, I am interested in the public health side of environmental science. 

Dr. Ruchi Bhattacharya 

Dr. Ruchi Bhattacharya is the recent recipient of the MU Postdoctoral Fellowship for Faculty Diversity. She is an aquatic biogeochemist and paleo-limnologist. Her research focuses on understanding the ecological, biogeochemical and hydrological responses of aquatic ecosystems, across spatial scale, in relation to anthropogenic alterations and hydro-climatological changes. In particular, her research attempts to reveal underlying physical and biological processes that exert strong control on ecology of lake and river ecosystems. The key questions she focuses on are: a) How does the interaction between landscape characteristics and hydrological variability influence the nutrient and water fluxes from catchment to lake? b) What is the ecological response of lake ecosystems to this influx? 

Tom Swenson

Tom is a junior majoring in Environmental Science with an emphasis in Water Quality. He will start working for the Limnology Lab during Spring 2018. He will be assisting Erin Petty on her research project this summer. His main interests are in eutrophication and the impacts urban areas have on lentic systems, especially in the Great Lakes region. After obtaining his B.S. he plans to get his M.S. in Water Quality to help municipalities get access to clean water. 

Emma Williams

Emma Williams is a senior studying Biology at Stephens  College in Columbia. She joined the lab in the summer of 2023. Her interests are kayaking and reading. She is currently working on a tributary project, collecting data from tributaries leading into the Lake of the Ozarks. She also helps collect data for the SLAP program throughout the summer. Emma is also apart of the Stephens College summer research program working with trematode parasites in terrestrial snails. 

Yusuf Olaleye

Yusuf is a Marine biologist with focus on phytoplankton ecology and primary productivity in aquatic ecosystems. He has his B.S. in Marine Biology and M.S. in Marine Pollution and Management from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Under the guidance of Dr. Rebecca North, his research involves merging data on phytoplankton identification and counting with water quality data to comprehend the dynamics of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Cyanotoxins concentrations in Missouri Reservoirs