Current Graduate Students in the

Department of Environmental Science and Biology

Patrick Herbert (BS ’06, MS in progress)

Patrick Herbert, advised by Dr. Haynes, came to SUNY Brockport in 2002 where he obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science- Aquatic Ecology in 2006. As an undergraduate, Patrick as actively participated in several aquatic research projects at the state, federal and academic level and has contributed significantly to restoring the aquaculture lab. Patrick then joined the Biology Master's program in 2006 where he immediately began gathering data for his master's thesis. Patrick has replicated a Biological Fish Survey from 1982 in a effort to identify changes in the Buffalo River fish community, but at his main project, Patrick has been working to determine the suitability of the Buffalo River to support a self sustaining Walleye population and to evaluate the DEC's stocking efforts. Patrick plans on completing the master's program by December 07 and hopes to become a Fishery Biologist or Conservation Officer at the State or Federal Level.

 

Kristie Klees (BS ’05, MS in progress)

Currently, I am involved in my master’s research focused on evaluating habitat selection and conservation of shrubland birds in the Great Lakes Plains Region of New York State.  This study will continue for two summer field seasons and has been funded by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the Buffalo Ornithological Society.  This project entails surveying shrubland bird species in a variety of shrubland habitats, as well as measuring vegetation variables on both local and landscape levels.  The census and vegetation data will be statistically evaluated to develop bird habitat models.  Ultimately, the findings of my research will be used to develop recommendations for use in conservation and management of shrubland birds in the region.

Ross Abbett (BS '05, MS in progress)

The purpose of this thesis reserach is to examine the potential of Sandy Creek as a spawning and rearing habitat for Lake Ontario’s stream spawning stocked salmonids.
Habitat surveys of Sandy creek have identified sites with suitable substrate and flow for the construction of salmonid redds (nests), and fishes have been observed utilizing these areas for reproduction. Of 86 sites sampled with suitable substrate and flow, 40 were chosen for examination; documenting the presence or absence of redds, and barriers to salmonid migration. Fry emergence traps are being built that will cover a subset of redds and quantify a subset of emerging fishes. Literature reviews describing the incubation times at different temperatures for the four salmonid species embryos have provided timetables for predicting emergence. Electrofishing surveys in spring and summer will document juvenile survival and habitats capable of harboring juvenile salmonids in their early life history.

 

Amanda Alexander (BS ’06, MS in progress)

In December 2006 I graduate from SUNY Brockport with a BS in Environmental Science, a concentration in Aquatic Ecology, and a minor in chemistry.  In the spring semester of 2007 I was accepted into the Brockport Biological Graduate Program and returned as a student under the advisement of Dr. Haynes. My plan is to complete my masters program by spring 2008 and then become a conservational research scientist in the field of marine biology, specifically dealing with the delicate balance of animals and their habitats.  In my extended career goal, I plan to pursue my Ph.D. and teach at the university level.
My M.S. thesis is on the recent invasion of the lionfish (Pterois volitans) in waters surrounding San Salvador, The Bahamas.  A classic exponential population growth phase of an invasive species is taking place there and it is important to collect baseline data on existing conditions in the hard coral and fish communities while lionfish abundance is still low.
In 2000-2001 (pre lionfish), Walter and Haynes (2006) characterized coral cover and fish community abundance and diversity at three patch reef complexes near San Salvador: Rice Bay, Rocky Point and Lindsay Reef. I will conduct my research at these same three patch reef complexes during the summer of 2007, and by using Walter’s data I will be able to compare pre and post lionfish conditions.  My research will then be useful in possible future studies on the impacts of presumably much larger lionfish populations.

Levi Atwater (BS’07, MS in progress)

Growing up on a dairy farm in Western New York, I developed an interest in the natural world from a young age.  I have pursued this interest by majoring in Environmental Science.  Brockport has provided me the opportunity to develop my knowledge and understanding of our environment and its amazing diversities through a variety of course work and field work.  Following graduation, I will be working for Kristie Klees (MS’07) as a research assistant on her study of shrub land birds.  I plan to return to SUNY Brockport for graduate school in the fall of 2007, where my research will be focusing on avian ecology.

Scott Wells (MS in progress)

After an 8-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard, Scott graduated in fisheries from Humboldt State University in Arcata, CA in May '04. During his time at HSU, Scott worked on fisheries projects on and off campus and with several management agencies. He began his M.S. thesis project in June, working with Dr. Haynes. Funded by a State Wildlife Grant, he and Ross Abbett (BS, '06) surveyed ~200 miles of Johnson and Tonawanda Creeks during the summer to identify likely habitats for rare fishes previously reported to occupy the streams. This summer Scott and Ross will sample the streams to see if the rare fishes still live in them. In February, Scott gave a poster on his project at the Tri-Society Meeting in Syracuse, a combined meeting of the NY chapters of the American Fisheries Society, the Society of Foresters, and the Wildlife Society.

Ian Conboy (MS in progress)

            Pigeon Creek may potentially play a role in the life stage history of juvenile coral reef fish on San Salvador in the Bahamas. Pigeon Creek is made up of a variety of habitats such as mangrove and bedrock shorelines along with deep channels and seagrass beds. Juvenile coral reef fish make there way to the tidal lagoon by wind and currents where they eventually find their homes in the variety of habitats. It is suspected that the success of the surrounding patch reefs depends on the health and protection of Pigeon Creek.
            Pigeon Creek was researched by conducting population counts in mangrove bedrock, and mix (mangrove & bedrock) habitats. Juvenile fish were counted and their sizes estimated. Initial results have shown that mangrove habitat is home to the majority of juvenile coral reef fish. As suspected, peak low tide provides the highest abundance of coral reef fish (p =0.024) and the southwestern arm of Pigeon Creek had a significant relationship among all abundant fish species (p = 0.002).
            It has been recommended that Pigeon Creek and the surrounding area of the entire island become protected in some way as a Marine Reserve. This study will help provide the necessary information to show just how important Pigeon Creek is to the success of the surrounding patch reefs.

Bill Guenther (BS '05, MS in progress)

Sarah Wasson Halbrend (BS '05, MS in progress)

 

Mananjo Johanson (MS in progress)

Mananjo Jonahson (MS in Progress)

A Fulbright scholar from Madagascar (the big island in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of South Africa!), I have been in the Great Lakes region for about two years.  My graduate research is on the juvenile lake sturgeons Acipenser fulvescens of the lower Genesee River, New York.  More specifically, I study their movements and how they use and select habitat/microhabitats along the river.  We equipped nine individuals with internal radio transmitters.  Then, with the help of many volunteers, I followed them around (rain or shine).  Now, I am trying to answer the WWWs of it all: who does what, when, where and why…so that one day, we may be able to understand and predict those little creatures.

Tim Crokett (MS in progress)

Currently, I am finishing my thesis research examining the landscape ecology and habitat requirements of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in northern New York. This study involved live trapping and radio telemetry at several sites to determine what habitat types and characteristics are important to Blanding's turtle, a threatened species in New York. Additionally, I am comparing the home ranges and spatial ecology of Blanding's turtles in this study to other studies across its range, and participating in an ongoing project to determine this turtle's geographic range within New York State. This project will provide information that will aid in the conservation of this species, which is at the eastern edge of its contiguous range in northern New York. This study is funded by the NYS Biodiversity Research Institute.

List of Thesis Projects and Placement of Former Students