Research
Genetics, publications, and lab work
Diving & field
SCUBA, surveys, and river work
Watershed & outreach
Stewardship, education, and public programs
Photography
Field and personal photography
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About
I am a graduate student in Biology at SUNY Oneonta studying genetic structure in freshwater mussels and fishes across New York watersheds. My work combines field surveys, SCUBA, and laboratory genomics.
Current thesis research examines how natural and artificial geographic barriers shape divergence in Eastern Elliptio (Elliptio complanata). I also work on genomic variation linked to alternative migratory strategies in East Coast American shad.
Research interests
- Genetic divergence of freshwater mussels across natural and artificial geographic barriers
- Genomic variation associated with alternative life-history strategies in American shad
- Non-lethal DNA collection and reduced-representation sequencing of freshwater bivalves
- Regulatory and conservation surveys of freshwater pearly mussels in New York watersheds
Education
Master of Science, Biology — State University of New York at Oneonta · Fall 2026
Thesis: Genetic divergence of Eastern Elliptio populations by natural and artificial geographic barriers
Bachelor of Science, Biology — State University of New York at Oneonta · August 2025
Capstone: Genetic variation in association with alternative migratory strategies in East Coast American shad
Contact
Email: mentrs635@oneonta.edu · Biology Department, SUNY Oneonta · Oneonta / Cooperstown, New York