BA: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Masters of Fisheries: Oregon State University Ph.D.: Biology Auburn University

My research interests are many but I primarily research phenomenon such as the species-area relationship. For example, is the species-area relationship due to just area alone or to an increase in habitat heterogeneity as area increases (or other factor)? We can use streams and the fishes within to investigate these phenomenon. I also study life history of fishes and ecological implications of growth phenomenon. Some of my most interesting work to date (to me) has been my investigations of the differences in fish assemblages in blackwater and clearwater streams. Stream ecological theory does not have mechanisms to predict large differences in stream assemblages between streams of similar size and close in proximity. Yet differences can exist in these fish assemblages. I investigate what factors are correlated with these differences. In short I like to investigate what the underlying structures are behind general ecological phenomenon but also investigate what drives the nuances in these patterns.