Dr. John M. Farrell

Director of TIBS

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My interests revolve around the broad topic of aquatic ecology and management of aquatic resources. I am interested in understanding the structure and function of aquatic systems and applying that information to informed management applications. I have largely dedicated my research effort to investigate problems regarding the St. Lawrence River. This commitment involves important research on the effects of environmental change, both biotic and abiotic, and exploitation of fishery resources on a major north-temperate river ecosystem. My work on the St. Lawrence has focused on fish ecology and coastal wetland ecology. I have developed standardized monitoring databases of value in assessing nearshore and pelagic processes and fish population trends useful for assessing research needs and investigating change. My interest and concentration on fish and their habitats has led the program in many directions including early life history, population ecology, disease, species interactions, physiology and energetics, habitat restoration, and management.

Eric Reynolds

Lab Manager

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Geofrey E. Eckerlin

Masters Candidate

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Resume: Eckerlin_resume.pdf

Geofrey E. Eckerlin started working in aquatic ecology while earning an AAS at SUNY Morrisville in Aquaculture and Aquatic Science (1999).   Afterward, Geof studied Natural Resources Management at Cornell University (2001) and graduated to conducting fisheries research on the Hudson River and Lake Ontario with Cornell University (United States Geological Survey Cooperative Fisheries Unit, Natural Resources and the Center for the Environment) and the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve.  Projects Geof spearheaded include a biological impact assessment in the post-9/11 NY-Harbor and a functional assessment of the submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) over the length of the Hudson River.  At TIBS, Geof is focusing on the interplay of the invasive round goby -highly abundant and susceptible to the invasive viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSv)- and the economically and socially important smallmouth bass population in the St. Lawrence.  Smallmouth in the Great Lakes have discovered round goby as desirable food items and are thusly confronted with a tradeoff between an abundant protein source and risks incurred by high exposure to VHSv.  This work is funded by New York Sea Grant and the Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Program administered by the New York State DEC

Kevin Kapuscinski

Doctoral Candidate

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Resume: Kapuscinski_resume.pdf

Genetic variation and stock structure of Great Lakes muskellunge is largely unknown, and little is understood about the recruitment dynamics of this species.  These information gaps have led to muskellunge in large systems being managed as single stocks; a strategy that is typically not supported by biologists but practiced out of necessity.  Additionally, population level implications of recent disease-induced adult mortality events are unknown because the contribution of individual spawners to year-class production is not understood.  Available spawning and nursery habitat may also limit muskellunge recruitment in areas like the Buffalo Harbor, Lake Erie.  Therefore, the purpose of my research is to enhance conservation and restoration efforts for Great Lakes muskellunge, and to reduce uncertainty in muskellunge management.   The objectives of my research are to:

• Describe the genetic population structure of Great Lakes muskellunge

• Identify discrete stocks by considering genetic variation and population dynamics

• Determine whether muskellunge spawning site fidelity is actually natal philopatry

• Quantify the relative contribution of individual spawners to year class production

• Quantify the number of effective breeders at specific spawning sites

• Determine if the number of effective breeders differs among habitat patch size 

Jarrod Hughes

Masters Candidate

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Jarrod Hughes realized his calling to become an aquatic science and fisheries ecologist while serving in the United States Army for several years after high school. In 2005, his quest led him to the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. During his time at ESF, Jarrod was employed by the Thousand Islands Biological Station, where he conducted research for the restoration of crucial spawning and nursery habitats of muskellunge, northern pike and walleye. Graduating with his B.S. in environmental biology in December 2007, Jarrod is now a Masters Candidate with a focus on the restoration, improvement and creation of critical life stage habitats of the above mentioned fish species. With the accomplishment of these tasks, the sport fishery and the ecology of the St. Lawrence will be improved. Funding for this project is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Special Project Initiative under the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Brian Kelder

Masters Candidate

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Katie L. Woodside

Masters Candidate

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Resume: Woodside_resume.pdf

I will be developing a logistic regression model predicting young-of-the-year (YOY) muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) presence/absence on the basis of available habitat features. The model will be created from data collected in 11 potential muskellunge nursery bays of the St. Lawrence River between Cape Vincent and Alexandria Bay, NY since 2002. Muskellunge presence and absence data were assessed from seine hauls and aquatic vegetation measurements were taken in 1m2 quadrats (Murry and Farrell 2006). Model development and selection will be accomplished using the Information-Theoretic Approach (AIC). Validation of the model will be assessed by testing the model against data collected in other potential nursery bays in the same region. I plan on determining whether this model can be applied to areas outside of the St. Lawrence River. The ability of this model to assess the quality of habitats at larger scales will also be determined.  This work is funded by Federal Aid in Sportfish Restoration Program administered by the New York State DEC.  

Charles (Chuck) Curry

Research Technician

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Donald J. Leopold