Department of Biological Sciences

I study animal impacts on ecosystems, specifically freshwater mussels in North American streams. Throughout my research career I have explored how mussels affect and are related to biogeochemical cycles of important nutrients and minerals. I’m interested in how these stream-dwelling animals take part in nutrient and mineral cycles at the ecosystem level, and in how these cycles mediate their relationships with other organisms–especially across the aquatic-terrestrial interface. My current research seeks to better understand freshwater mussel impacts on ecosystem function and services by combining in situ experiments studying denitrification in mussel beds with studies of mussel functional traits. Visit my website for more information and publications.