Ophelia Pettington is a graduate student interested in microbial diversity and remediation of mining-contaminated wet ecosystems. Ophelia is studying impacts of metal mining and remediation on the microbiome of Andropogon virginicus (broomsedge) in the Tri-state Mining District.

Daphne Miles is a graduate student studying the impacts of changes in seasons and water depth on aquatic plant communities in spring-fed ponds in the Ozarks. Daphne is also studying the impacts of invasive Potamogeton crispus on native plant communities and water quality in a spring-fed pond.

Anna Faust is a biology undergraduate student studying Azolla abundance and its impacts on water quality in Lake Springfield (Missouri). Anna is interested in human impacts to aquatic plants and animals. She loves caring for our ecojars, identifying macroinvertebrates, and helping lab mates with fieldwork.

Sarah Guymon and Riley Talbert are undergraduate biology students studying planaria abundance in urban Ozark streams. 

Sarah also manages our aquatic plant collection in the greenhouse and lab. We use these plants in our research and in the Aquatic Botany class.

Jaslyn Johnson is a biology undergraduate student studying the impacts of cold temperatures on the floating aquatic fern, Azolla. Jaslyn is interested in working with aquatic plants and animals.

Sam Booth, Ben Cooper, and Emily Holly are undergraduate biology students who assist with various projects. They assist with field sampling and lab work. They are skilled in processing plant, water, and soil samples. 

Alexis Reifsteck completed a master's in biology at Missouri State University and will be working with the Missouri DNR in Jefferson City, MO.

Alexis' thesis research focused on the interactions between gravel bar plants and the stream environment in disturbance prone Ozark streams. You can read Alexis' thesis here.

Malachai Frisby graduated with a BS in biology in December 2023! He will be an intern at the Litzinger Road Ecology Center in Spring 2024! 

Malachai's research focused on the impacts of metal contamination on macroinvertebrates in mining-contaminated streams in the Old Lead Belt and Tri-state district of Missouri.

Indigo Tran. Metals from mining pollution move into ecosystems via riparian trees. These metals reenter the environment during decomposition. Indigo studied decomposition rates and metal leaching of these trees. 

Hannah Whaley. Spring-fed ponds provide necessary ecosystem services, but can be contaminated by pollutants in the groundwater. Hannah studied plant communities to show how pollution affects these habitats. 

Leslie Hatch completed a Master's in biology at Missouri State University and is currently working for the USGS in Houston, Texas. Leslie's thesis focused on how metal-contaminated leaves can impact macroinvertebrates in mining-contaminated rivers. You can read the thesis here.

Christine Cornish completed a Master's in Biology at Missouri State University. You can read Christine's thesis here. She received her doctorate in Environmental and Conservation Sciences from North Dakota State University in 2023. She is currently a postdoc at Virginia Tech.

Tory Lydy completed a Master's in ecotoxicology at Arkansas State University and is now pursuing a career in ecotoxicology.

Jordan Heiman graduated with a BS in biology from Missouri State University and a PHD in biology from University of Mississippi in fall 2024.

Abigail Giering graduated with a BS in biology and is interested in native plants.

Deanna Means graduated with a Master of Arts in Teaching at Missouri State University.

Lia Biritz graduated with a BS in biology and is interested in aquatic plants and invertebrates.

Emma Fonke graduated with a BS in chemistry and is interested in analytical chemistry.