Current students

Josi Robertson

After graduating from Hendrix College with a B.A. in Biology I earned an M.S. in Environmental Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake where I conducted my thesis research on, “The Distribution and Life History Characteristics of the Saltmarsh Topminnow (Fundulus jenkinsi) in Texas”. During this time I also worked at the Environmental Institute of Houston (EIH) assisting and helping lead a variety of environmental field studies. I joined the Schwalb lab in summer 2016 and am now pursuing a PhD in Aquatic Resources at Texas State University. My research will focus on the impacts of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to Texas systems as well as the mechanisms facilitating the downstream dispersal of zebra mussels from invaded reservoirs. These findings will facilitate our understanding about the expense of the threat of zebra mussel invasion within Texas and provide information needed for management decisions.

Zachary Mitchell

Studying mussel host fish relationships

 

 

 

Ashley Seagroves

Testing the effectiveness of different host fish for juvenile propagation of threatened unionid mussels in Central Texas.

 

 

Brittney Sanchez

 

Comparing survey methods for freshwater mussels in Central Texas

 

 

 

 

Rebecca Zawalski

I grew up in North Royalton, Ohio and earned my Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Findlay in Findlay, Ohio. I am now a graduate student at Texas State University (co-advised by Dr. Schwalb and Dr. Nowlin), where I hope to earn my Master’s degree in Population and Conservation Biology. My thesis project focuses on benthic macroinvertebrates (BMI) and their distribution in the Guadalupe basin.

 

 

Carolyn Trombley

I am currently in the PhD program in Integrative Biology at the University of Guelph (co-advised by Dr. Schwalb and Dr. Cottenie) after having completing a Bachelor of Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa and a Bachelor of Environmental Science at the University of Guelph. My project explores metacommunity dynamics of fish in the Virgin River, with a focus on determining factors related to the decline of the endemic and critically endangered woundfin (Plagopterus Argentissimus).

 

Past students

Bianca Hernandez, graduated 2016                            Thesis: “Movement behavior of unionid mussels in Central Texas”

 

 

 

Jenae Olson, graduated 2016                            Thesis: “Dispersal of zebra mussels downstream of an invaded reservoir.”