People in the Lab

Current Graduate Students

Jesse Fischer

Ph.D. Candidate (Fisheries Biology)
Dissertation title: Benchmarks of biological integrity for lake restoration success: fish assemblage composition and population dynamics in Iowa lakes and impoundments

Undergraduate education: University of Nebraska (B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, 2004)

Graduate education: Kansas State University (M.S. Biology, 2007)
Thesis title: Structural organization of Great Plains stream fish assemblages: implications for sampling and conservation

Research interests: I have a diverse background of experience from working with small stream to large lake systems, including both threatened and game fishes. My research interests include understanding influences structuring native fish assemblages, using fish assemblage and population characteristics to measure ecosystem quality, and evaluating the effects of sampling protocols used to collect fishes on data interpretation.

Career goals: I would like to continue research and teaching in applied fisheries science and management of fisheries at a university after graduation.

Curriculum Vitae

Personal interests: I like to do many outdoor activities in or around water. I also enjoy training my Deutsch drahthaar, Ira.

Email: fischer@iastate.edu

Tony Sindt

M.S. Candidate (Fisheries Biology)
Thesis title: Iowa stream fish species of greatest conservation need: using Iowa GAP products to refine prioritization and guide assessment

Undergraduate education: Minnesota State University, Mankato (B.S. Ecology and Economics Minor, 2008)

Co-advisor: Clay Pierce

Career goals: I hope to stay involved with applied research that will lead to the improvement and sustainability of fisheries and the solution of current and future problems related to aquatic habitats.

Personal interests: When I am not hard at work in the field or at my desk, I can commonly be found hiding in a duck blind, pulling fish through an 8-inch hole in the ice, sitting silently in a deer stand, wresting monster flatheads out the the rivers, or flipping jigs for trophy bass. For the most part, if I am outdoors and staying active, I will be having a great time.

Email: arsindt@iastate.edu

Maria Dzul

M.S. Candidate (Wildlife Ecology)
Thesis title: Population dynamics of Devils Hole pupfish

Undergraduate education: University of Michigan (B.S. Biology, 2007)

Co-advisor: Steve Dinsmore

Research interests: I’m working with both Dr. Quist and Dr. Dinsmore at ISU to develop a population model for the endangered Devils Hole pupfish.  I’m interested in using population models to help illuminate details about populations with the belief that greater understanding will lead to more successful conservation and restoration efforts.

Email: dzul@iastate.edu

Past Graduate Students

Travis Neebling

Undergraduate education: Northland College (B.S. Natural Resources - Wildlife and Fish Ecology, dual-major Biology 2006)

Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2009)
Thesis title: Fish assemblages in Iowa's non-wadeable rivers: relationships with habitat and sampling methods

Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Wyoming Game and Fish Department

Email: Travis.Neebling@wgf.state.wy.us

Jeff Koch

Undergraduate education: University of Nebraska (B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, 2003)

Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2008)
Thesis title: Effects of commercial harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the upper Mississippi River

Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Email: Jeff.Koch@nebraska.gov

Zac Jackson

Undergraduate education: North Dakota State University (B.S. Natural Resources Management, B.S. Zoology, 2003)

Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2007)
Thesis title: Assessment of the interrelationships between fish population dynamics and limnological characteristics of Iowa lakes

Current position: Fisheries Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service

Email: Zachary_Jackson@fws.gov

Undergraduate Assistants

Rebecca Burch

Major: Animal Ecology, Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Minors: Entomology, Spanish
Graduating: Spring 2010
Future plans: I hope to conduct research on large river fish assemblages such as those in the Mississippi River, with a special focus on ictalurids. I am also very interested in the integration of the various components of fisheries - organisms, environment, and people - because they are often in conflict. People are an essential part of making fisheries research relevant, and relevant issues are the ones that affect policy. I also dream of communicating my research and general fisheries knowledge to the public by being published in popular science magazines such as National Geographic, teaching at the university level, and developing extension or outreach programs...but that's another can of worms entirely! I plan to attend graduate school after earning my B.S. with the eventual goal of earning a Ph.D.

Wade Massure

 

Major: Animal Ecology, Fisheries
Graduating: December 2009
Future plans: I plan on finding and entering a career that is related or deals with the fisheries aspect such as a Fisheries Biologist.

Nick Johnson

Major: Animal Ecology, Fisheries
Graduating: Spring 2010
Future plans: Something in the fisheries field, like a technician or a biologist. If not that, I would be interested in being a conservation officer.

Chris Smith

Major: Animal Ecology, Fisheries
Graduating: Spring 2011
Future plans: I am interested in continuing my educatio and pursuing a MS degree in fisheries. My utlimate goal is to become a Fisheries Biologist with a natural resource agency.