Areas of Research

Pollution

Much of our work focuses on the impacts of contaminants on freshwater food webs and what the implications are for ecosystem services such as water quality and fisheries. Areas of current interest are freshwater salinization (e.g. from road salts), cultural eutrophication, and microplastics.

Invasive species

We also focus on the context-dependent effects of invasive species. We are currently exploring how multiple invasive fish and invertebrate species alter freshwater food webs and species interactions.

Fish and fisheries

Another focus of our research is the ecology and conservation of freshwater fish and fisheries. One endpoint of our research on the interactive effects of pollution and invasive species is to identify how changes in food webs will affect biomass production in freshwater fisheries. Much of our work also examines ways to rehabilitate river habitat to promote the recovery of freshwater fishes.

Our research aims to serve science, people, and policy

Research in the lab is basic and applied. Our hope is that much of our research can be used in some way to inform proactive environmental policy that seeks to protect natural resources and ecosystem services.