Experience

  1. Research Fish Biologist

    USDA - Agricultural Research Service

    Responsibilities include:

    • Conduct original research to improve US catfish aquaculture
    • Work directly with industry farmers and stakeholders
    • Develop reports and research updates to inform governmental leaders
  2. Intermittent Researcher

    National Warmwater Aquaculture Center, Mississippi State University

    Responsibilities include:

    • Conduct original research to improve US catfish aquaculture
    • Work directly with industry farmers and stakeholders
    • Provide technical expertise for analysis of complex data
  3. Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Mississippi State University

    Responsibilities include:

    • Set up classroom and laboratory activities
    • Develop and grade assignments and tests
    • Courses included: Fish Physiology, Applied Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology, Fisheries Science, Fisheries Management
  4. Critical Species Technician II (Fisheries) [GFTL]

    Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources

    Responsibilities include:

    • Maintain equipment and office grounds
    • Aid in sampling Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake for crappie, largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish
    • Maintain boat ramps and water access points
    • Monitor American paddlefish, shovelnose sturgeon, and Asian carp populations via ride-alongs with commercial fishermen
  5. Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Murray State University

    Responsibilities include:

    • Set up classroom and laboratory activities
    • Conduct test prep and review sessions with students
    • Develop and grade assignments and tests
    • Courses included: Introduction to Biology (Lab Instructor), Zoology

Education

  1. PhD Forest Resources (Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture) (Secondary Education Minor)

    Mississippi State University
    Dissertation topic: Improved monitoring and decision-making to manage atypical Aeromonas hydrophila (aAh) in catfish aquaculture ponds. Supervised by Drs. Michael E. Colvin and David J. Wise.
    Read Dissertation
  2. MSc Biology

    Murray State University
    Thesis topic: A dietary comparison of the reintroduced alligator gar Atractosteus spatula and three sympatric gar relatives (family: Lepisosteidae) in the Clarks River, Kentucky. Supervised by Dr. Michael B. Flinn.
  3. BSc Fisheries/Aquatic Biology (Chemistry Minor)

    Murray State University