Ph.D. in Biology

I am very interested in the conservation and management of imperiled species. My research focuses on determining the degree of connectivity between multiple river systems in Maine that support Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon (a federally endangered species). Specifically, I am interested in how various demographic parameters relate to sturgeon movement patterns observed within and between Maine’s coastal rivers. Additionally, I also will examine the efficacy of elemental analysis in determining the river of origin for shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon. Finally, I will examine the diets of sturgeon and determine if patterns exist in sturgeon habitat use and various aspects of prey dynamics.

PhD in Ecology and Environmental Science

My research examines the role of eco-evolutionary dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. Eco-evolutionary dynamics arise through the influence of contemporary trait changes on the ecological processes of populations, communities and ecosystems. My work will use the eastern mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki) as a study system in which to study contributions of sex, evolution and phenotypic plasticity to ecological dynamics in small pond systems. One aspect of my work examines how sex ratio, as an overt form of genetic variation, influences ecological dynamics. Another aspect considers the distinct roles of phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary diversity on ecological dynamics, given that most previous studies of eco-evolutionary dynamics in nature confound these processes.

PhD in Biology

I'm examining the ecological role of white perch, a generalist fish species with strong ontogenic niche shifts and its ties to their recent and historic evolution. In particular, I will examine the ontogenic effects of white perch on lake algal production and how those effects may be mediated by contemporary evolution in the form of 1) selective fishing implemented as part of a lake biomanipulation and 2) historic introduction and local adaptation of white perch to lake systems of alternate trophic state.

Scientific Technician

I started working with the Kinnison lab as an undergrad during the summer of 2004 and continued throughout my senior year. After graduation I worked for the salmon commission for 6 months, then I returned to the Kinnison lab to fill the full time technician position. My duties mainly include assisting the graduate students with their field and lab work, general lab and field gear maintenance, and data processing and management. More specifically, I have been helping Steve with his fieldwork tagging and tracking sturgeon, working with Mike Bailey at the Craig Brook National Fish Hatchery, and assisting with Mike's salmon otoliths. I have also spent time in Trinidad helping with Dylan's fieldwork.

Postdoctoral Research Associate 2007-2009

Research: I am broadly interested in how interactions between ecology and evolution shape the evolution of phenotypic diversity and the structure of ecological communities. I am particularly interested in how changes in prey resources brought on by the effects of fish predation feedback to influence the evolution of feeding morphology. I am currently investigating this question in several systems, including lakes with anadromous and landlocked alewives in Connecticut, lakes with hatchery-stocked and wild brook trout in Maine, and streams with guppies and rivulus in Trinidad.

Assistant Scientist

I am currently assigned to two faculty members in the Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Michael Kinnison and Dr. Rebecca Holberton. At present, the Kinnison lab group consists of four graduate students, six undergrad student employees, a part time professional and a full time technician. My duties are to help implement and oversee the various research projects and to hire, train and allocate student workers to projects as needed.

Setha Treadwell - Senior, Biology major. This is Setha's third year in the lab.

Sarah Prendergast - Senior, Zoology major. Sarah worked for us as a freshman and has returned for her senior year.

Bailey Brewster - Sophomore, Zoology major. This is Bailey's second year in the lab.

Geneva York - Sophomore, Biology major. Geneva worked for us this past summer and is continuing for the academic year.

Kristyn Daigle - Kristyn is a Marine Biology major and began with us this fall.

Wildlife Ecology - 2009 grad

Ben started working for us at the beginning of his freshman year and spent all four academic years in the Kinnison lab. He worked on many projects and became a values member of our research team. Of special note was his primary roll in all aspects of our Arctic charr project at Floods Pond associated with the Bangor Water District. Ben spent two tours of field work duty in Trinidad and developed a senior project with Trinidadian guppies. He currently is serving in the Peace Corps.

Zoology, PhD

Dissertation accepted 2009: Population ecology and natural selection in juvenile Atlantic salmon : implications for restoration.
I am investigating life history variation in the freshwater life stage of juvenile Atlantic salmon using individual based population and growth models. In addition, I will use daily growth rings in otoliths to study size selective mortality in salmon fry in several rivers in Maine.

Masters in Marine Science & Policy

My research is part of an on going effort to assess the abundance and distribution of shortnose and Atlantic sturgeon in the Penobscot River. In addition to this, I am also investigating the possibility of spawning habitat for shortnose sturgeon with in the river. By utilizing a combination of active tracking, and an array of acoustic receivers distributed through the river, movements of sturgeon tagged with acoustic and radio transmitters can be monitored. The interdisciplinary approach of the dual degree I am pursuing allows me to analyze the processes and policies involved in the monitoring and regulation of marine resources, especially with regards to dealing with fragile resources such as endangered and federally protected species.

Masters in Ecology and Environmental Science

Thesis excepted 2008: Population demography, distribution, and movement patterns of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeons in the Penobscot River Estuary, Maine.
I am assessing the abundance, distribution and habitat use of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeons in the Penobscot River. We are also using acoustic telemetry to characterize their movements and migrations throughout the river and bay. We actively track tagged fish in addition to utilizing the cooperatively managed array of acoustic receivers in the river. The pending Penobscot River Restoration Project will have major implications for these species, including restoration of historical habitat, and this project will provide critical baseline data on the population.

Contact info:
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
Lee Metcalf Building
1520 E. Sixth Avenue
P.O. Box 200901
Helena, MT 59620-0901
office: 406-444-5315

Master of Science in Zoology

Thesis accepted June 2007: Holbrook, C. 2007. Survival and behavior of migrating Atlantic salmon in the Penobscot River: Acoustic telemetry studies with smolts and adults. MS Thesis, University of Maine.

Chris worked on a project to assess survival and behavior of migrating Atlantic salmon (both smolts and adults) in the Penobscot River drainage. He used acoustic telemetry to identify locations of high mortality and migratory delay throughout the mainstem of the Penobscot and Piscataquis rivers, and the Penobscot River estuary. This information is critical to the planning and evaluation of restoration efforts, including a large-scale project that involves dam removal, fish passage improvements, and increased hydroelectric generation by 2010.

Contact Info:
Christopher Holbrook, Fishery Biologist
USGS, Columbia River Research Lab
5501A Cook-Underwood Rd
Cook, WA 98605
E-Mail: cholbrook@usgs.gov
Ph: 509-538-2299 ext. 262
Cell: 541-490-4024

Zoology, MS

Thesis accepted August 2006: Michaud, W.K. 2006. Phenotypic divergence of indigenous and translocated Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) populations in Maine. MS Thesis, University of Maine.

This research is aimed at studying whether adaptive divergence has occurred over a contemporary time period in a translocated population of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus). The Arctic charr is a salmonid species, similar to a lake trout or brook trout, and is found throughout the arctic region of the northern hemisphere. There are currently 12 known native populations of this species in the state of Maine, which represent the only remaining natural populations of this fish in the contiguous United States. Charr from populations throughout the state are being collected for comparisons of morphological and life history traits that will be used to address the question of divergence among them.

Contact info:
Wendy Michaud
Department of Biology
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave. West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
wmichaud@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca

Zoology, PhD

Dissertation accepted August 2010: Natural Selection and its Interactions with Migration and Population Demography.
My research involves studying the interaction between natural selection and gene flow among locally adapted populations of Trinidadian guppy. Streams on the Northern Mountain range of Trinidad are either low- or high-predation, and guppies are locally adapted to these conditions reflecting variation in levels of predation risk. I am interested in how migrants influence the process of phenotypic evolution and the demographic conditions of the local population. While in Trinidad, I conduct mark-recapture studies that allow me to measure natural selection by comparing the phenotype of individual guppies (traits of interest include color, behavior, and body shape) to their ability to survive. I also use this approach to compare the fitness of low-predation migrants to that of resident guppies in the high-predation habitat. In collaboration with Paul Bentzen at Dalhousie University, I use population genetic techniques to measure the genetic contribution of migrants to the gene pool of the local population. In Maine, I rear guppies brought back from Trinidad and breed them to determine the extent that variation in traits is heritable. Natural selection and gene flow are two very important processes in adaptive divergence; my research will directly evaluate the interaction between these two phenomena.

Biological Sciences, MS

Thesis accepted August 2006: Wilke, N.F. 2006. Phenotypic and genetic variation within and among seven populations (six endangered) of Maine Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar. MS Thesis, University of Maine.

I am investigating witihin and among population variation (phenotypic and genetic) in seven populations of Maine Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). Six of the populations comprise the hatchery-managed porition of Maine's Distinct Population Segement (DPS), and were listed as endangered by the federal government in 2000. With minimal adult returns and decreasing numbers, such investigation of population structure and variation is integral in assigning appropriate management practices.

Contact info:
Nathan Wilke
PhD student, Biology
0 Marine Drive
Ocean Sciences Centre
Memorial University
St. John's, Newfoundland A1C 5S7
709.737.3465
nfwilke@mun.ca