Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Units Program:
Education, Research and Technical Assistance for Managing Our Natural Resources

I completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Fisheries Sciences from Virginia Tech in December 2010. During my undergraduate studies I worked as a technician on several projects including: diet of invasive Northern Snakeheads Channa argus in the tidal Potomac River, long term population monitoring of endangered Roanoke Logperch Percina rex in the Roanoke River, and assessments of the state threatened Variegate Darters Etheostoma variatum in the Big Sandy River Basin and Candy Darters Etheostoma osburni in the New River Basin. I also completed an undergraduate research project on the catchability of Northern Snakeheads in the tidal Potomac River using passive sampling gear. Working with such a diverse range of species provided me with respect and interest in the ecological importance of fish species, and experience understanding how species interact in mountain streams and rivers, and large tidal rivers. After completing my bachelor's, I worked as a water resources manager at a privately owned lake, monitoring water quality and ensuring that the privately operated dams adhered to strict state operations guidelines. My thesis research is on the habitat and environmental conditions that shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus use during different periods of water temperature and river stage throughout the year in the lower Mississippi River. Upon completion of my thesis, I hope to attain a fisheries biologist position with a state or federal agency where I can continue...