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

Tom grew up outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in Chadds Ford. Tom's father took him hunting and fishing from an early age, which fostered his love for the outdoors. After attending the Pennsylvania Wildlife Leadership Academy, a week long camp for high school students with an interest in wildlife and fisheries, Tom set his sights on a college degree in Fisheries. He earned his undergraduate degree in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Science from Mississippi State University, where he was able to perform undergraduate research in multiple labs. While at Mississippi State, Tom worked multiple summer internships including as an aquaculture technician at the South Farm Aquaculture Facility and as a student research assistant at the USDA NWRC Mississippi Field Station. Tom was actively involved with the American Fisheries Society student subunit and served as president his senior year. After completing his undergraduate degree, Tom moved to Iowa to pursue his Master's degree in Fisheries Biology from Iowa State University. His project assessed the ability of physical barriers to reduce reservoir escapement of Walleye and Muskellunge. Tom began working at Tennessee Tech in July 2023 and is pursuing his PhD in Environmental Science. He is assessing the impact of Alabama Bass introduction on Smallmouth Bass genetics in Tennessee.