An aquatic ecologist studies interactions in aquatic ecosystems and an astacologist studies crayfish. I often focus on interactions involving fish and crayfish.
Research requires many abilities. Doing research is often logical, precise, and repetitive, but a surprising amount of creativity goes into figuring out the most interesting questions to ask and the best ways to get the answers. Curiosity is critical to loving my work. Good writing skills are essential to everything!
How do small reservoirs on headwater streams affect crayfish communities downstream?
We use backpacks and boat electrofishers. These tools send electricity into the water causing fish to experience galvanotaxis, in which their muscles tighten and cause them to swim toward the electricity. The fish are stunned, and we collect them in dipnets. We study them, allow them to recover, and release them.
In the Clark Fork River, Montana, biologists thought there was one species of sculpin, a small bottom-dwelling fish. My colleagues and I discovered there were really two species, and both are undescribed (meaning they are unnamed). The two species differ in behavior and where they live in the streams.
When I was 5 or 6, my mom started a Ranger Rick Nature Club for the neighborhood kids. I think that’s when I decided to become a biologist. My challenge later was figuring out exactly what kind of job I wanted and how long I was willing to go to college.
