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Meet The Lab

Brian P. Kennedy, Ph.D.

Professor

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  • Website
  • BP Kennedy CV

Brian Kennedy is a professor of fisheries and aquatic sciences in the College of Natural Resources at the University of Idaho. He received his undergraduate degree in biological sciences from Colgate University and a Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology from Dartmouth College.

 

After finishing his dissertation work on the foraging ecology and bioenergetics of Atlantic salmon, he worked as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Michigan, where he developed approaches for reconstructing the behavior, migration and environmental history of fish using the geochemical information recorded in fish otoliths.

 

Dr. Kennedy joined the faculty at the University of Idaho in 2005. He was part of a core group that started the Water Resources Graduate Program through a combination of strategic funding and NSF IGERT awards. He is adjunct in the departments of Biological and Geological Sciences. 

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Jens Hegg, Ph.D.

Analytical Lab Manager

  • Jens Hegg Email
  • Jens Hegg Homepage
  • Hegg Research Gate
  • @AFishInSchool
  • Jens Hegg CV

Jens Hegg oversees collaborations and analytical services within the Kennedy LIFE lab. He is interested in the ecology of fish movement and migration, with expertise in using biogeochemical records recovered from organism hard parts including fish otoliths to answer these questions.

 

He received his Bachelors of Arts in Biology from Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota. His scientific experience is diverse, including R&D work in analytical chemistry, bioplastic production from corn biomass, and coronary stent design, resulting in several patents. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. in the interdisciplinary Water Resources program at the University of Idaho. 

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His Ph.D. work focused on the drivers and of an evolving life-history diversity in juvenile Fall Chinook salmon. Other current research projects include uncovering detailed migration of Amazonian catfish and sawfish populations and the use of data-to-sound techniques as a data exploration tool for otolith data. 

Meet the Lab

Current Members

Natasha Wingerter

(Ph.D.)

  • Wingerter IGERT Profile

I study density dependence and foraging relationships which are changing due to warmer stream temperatures and altered flow regimes. By understanding these interactions, better management strategies can be created and implemented to preserve threatened and endangered systems.

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I am a student in the Water Resource program on the Science and Management track. Currently, I am an NSF-IGERT fellow, working with an interdisciplinary team on a project  entitled “Adaptation to change in water resources: science to inform decision-making across disciplines, cultures and scales.” 

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I believe that a love for science begins at a very young age, often through a mentor, teacher, or a sense of place that fuels interest and inquiry. Creating a connection with science and the environment is a responsibility of scientists, spreading their enthusiasm for the world and discovery. I am currently working to develop “The Sense of Place Project,” encouraging a lifetime of scientific inquiry using placed based methodology. 

Austin Anderson

(M.S.)

  • Curricu

I am broadly interested in the ecology of freshwater and anadromous fishes, and their responses to shifting environmental conditions. My current research is focused on habitat selection and non-migratory dispersal of juvenile steelhead and how these behaviors are linked to individual growth.

 

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and spent my summers in the Sierra Nevada mountains where I developed a love for wildlife and the outdoors. I attended the University of Washington and received my B.S. in Biology in 2015. During my time there I worked as a research assistant in Dr. Thomas P. Quinn's lab and upon graduation worked as a research technician for the UW's Alaska Salmon Program. I am currently an M.S. student in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences.

Kat Gillies-Rector

(M.S.)

    My research is focused on juvenile migration strategies of Chinook salmon and how those strategies relate to habitat conditions. I use otolith microstructure and microchemical analysis to reconstruct early growth and movement with the intention of linking individual migration behavior to growth opportunity in rearing habitat. 

     

    I grew up in western Oregon and graduated with a BS from the Oregon State University department of Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences. After graduating I moved around the country doing as many different kinds of fisheries-related jobs as I could find. I lived in Maine, Michigan, California, and Idaho (twice). When I'm not grad-studenting or working on leadership activities with the Palouse Unit of the American Fisheries Society I like to run, mountain bike, and backpack. 

    Joel Medrano

      Undergraduate Lab Assistant

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      Anna Miera

        Undergradaute Lab Assistant

        Otolith Prep Lab

        Doris Duke Conservation Scholar - 2015

        Former Members

        Sierra

        Zierler

        B.S. - 2018

        Eclipse Blitz Coord.

        Currently:

        Intern, Northcoast Marine Mammal Center

        • Sierra Zierler CV

        Mackenzie

        Miner

        B.S. - 2018

        Eclipse Blitz Coord.

          Brandon

          Carman

          B.S. - 2017

          Currently:

          Project Manager

          Grays Harbor Cons. Dist.

          • B Carman Grays Harbor Cons Dist

          Josie Greenwood

          B.S. - 2017

          Currently:

          Americorps

          PCEI, Valley County

          • Josie Greenwood Blog
          • Greenwood PCEI

          Kate
          Wilcox

          B.S. - 2017

          Currently:

          Peace Corps, Nepal

          • Kate Wilcox Homepage/Blog

          Sara

          Kimmig

          TIMS Technician

          2015-2017

          Currently:

          Research Associate

          University of Kansas

          • Sara Kimmig ReserachGate
          • Sara Kimmig UK

          Knut Marius

          Myrvold

          Ph.D. - 2014

          Postdoc - 2017

          Currently:

          Research Scientist, NINA

          Lillehammer, Norway

          • Marius Webpage
          • Marius NINA Page

          Bryce

          Oldemeyer

          M.S. - 2015

          Currently:

          Research Associate

          Henry's Fork Foundation

          • LinkedIn
          • Henry's Fork Foundation

          Emily

          Benson

          Lab Manager 2010-2015

          M.S. - U.C. Santa Cruz

          Currently:

          High Country News

          • Emily Benson Homepage
          • E Benson High Country News
          • @erbenson1

          Jeff 

          Caisman

          M.S. - 2015

          Currently:

          Fisheries Biologist

          Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation 

          • Email

          Josh

          Stedman

          B.S. - 2015

          Currently:

          Fisheries Technician

          Washington Deptartment of Fish & Wildlife 

          • Website

          Jessica

          Helsley

          M.S. - 2014

          Currently:

          Executive Director

          Coast Salmon Partnership

          Olympic Peninsula, WA

          • ResearchGate
          • LinkedIn
          • Website

          Liza

          Mitchell

          M.S. - 2014

          Currently:

          Watershed Education & Outreach Coordinator

          Roaring Fork Conservancy

          • LinkedIn
          • Website

          Scott

          Bumpus

          H.S. Research Assistant

          2014-2015

          Currently:

          Whitworth College

          • Website

          Timothy

          Taylor

          NSF REU - 2012

          Published Ind. Study

          B.A. (U.Prov.) - 2013

          M.S. (WSU) - 2016

          Currently:

          PhD Candidate, WSU

          • Timothy Taylor - LinkedIn

          Earl

          Beasley

          B.S.

          • Website

          Sam

          Bourret

          M.S. - 2012

          Currently:

          Fisheries Biologist

          Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks

          • ResearchGate

          Chau

          Tran

          M.S. - 2012

          Currently:

          Assistant Manager, NEON

          (National Ecological Observatory Network)

          • Website

          Jeff

          Reader

          Ph.D. Student

          2009-2012

            Brian

            McIlraith

            M.S. - 2011

            Currently:

            Senior Fisheries Biologist

            HDR

            • Website
            • Brian McIlraith - Email Address

            Alifia

            Merchant

            NSF REU - 2011

            B.S. - Ohio State

            M.S. - U.C. Davis

            Currently:

            Flavor R&D

            • Alifia Merchant LinkedIn

            Ellen

            Hamann

            M.S. - 2010

            Currently:

            Lab Manager

            McIntyre Lab

            University of Wiscosin

            • Personal Webpage
            • Field Blog
            • Fish on the Run
            • @ellen_at_large
            • LinkedIn

            Alex

            Filous

            B.S.

            Currently:

            U Mass Amherst

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              Johanna

              Nifosi

              NSF REU - 2010

              B.S. - U.Met., Puerto Rico

              M.S. - U. Mich.

              Currently:

              Biologist, USGS Lake Michigan Eco. Res. Sta.

              Rick

              Hartson

              M.S. - 2010

              Currently:

              Habitat Biologist

              Upper Skagit Tribe

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              • Website
              • LinkedIn

              Kara

              Cromwell

              M.S. - 2009

              Currently:

              Ph.D. Candidate

              Peckarsky Lab

              U. Wisconsin 

              • Cromwell CV Link
              • Cromwell UW Page

              Tim

              Kiser

              M.S. - 2009

                Bryan

                Stevens

                B.S. - 2008

                M.S. - 2011 Wildlife (UofI)

                M.S. - 2012 Statistics (UofI)

                Ph.D. - 2016 (Mich. St.).

                Currently:

                Post Doc, University of Idaho

                • B Stevens Home Page
                • B Stevens UofI

                Chris

                Lorion

                Ph.D. - 2007

                Currently:

                Assistant Project Leader 

                Oregon Dept. of

                Fish & Wildlife

                • Website

                Elizabeth

                Rosenberger

                M.S. - 2007

                  • Johanna Nifosi CV
                  Former Members
                  Current Members
                  Prospective Students

                  Prospective Students

                  We are always interested in hearing from motivated students from all backgrounds interested in ecological questions in aquatic systems. 

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                  If you are interested in joining our lab please contact Dr. Kennedy through email with a thoughtful email detailing your interests and background. Please include your broader interests in ecological questions and motivations for pursuing further study, as well as any specific interests you have in our active projects. It is also helpful to include a brief overview of your qualifications, your CV, and relevant GRE scores and GPA. 

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                  Current openings will be posted in the Lab News section of this website, but we are always open to your inquiries. 

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                  Contact Dr. Kennedy (kennedy -at- uidaho.edu)

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