Hoverman Aquatic Community Ecology Lab

David Lee received his B.S. at Maryville College and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Georgia. His research experience varies, with his most recent work focused on the accumulation and physiological effects of contaminants (e.g., heavy metals, radionuclides) in herpetofauna. David Lee is particularly interested in how anthropogenic contaminants may negatively impact the health (e.g., the immune response) of amphibian and reptiles. He has used a variety of experimental techniques to examine the effects of contaminants in wildlife, including field and lab-based approaches, in vivo and in vitro techniques, and genomic sequence data manipulation and analysis. His current research evaluates both acute and chronic toxic effects of per-/polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and PFAS-free aquatic film forming foams on a variety of freshwater organisms. Website: https://sites.google.com/view/davidhaskins/home

Devin received his B.S. at the University of Pittsburgh and his Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His research examined the effects of anthropogenic contaminants (road salts, pesticides, nutrients) on freshwater organisms, populations, and communities using laboratory toxicity tests and outdoor mesocosm experiments. This work also incorporated tools from ecotoxicology with evolutionary theory to investigate how evolved responses to synthetic chemicals arose within amphibians and provides a pathway for inducible chemical tolerance. His current research examines the acute and lasting toxic effects of per-/polyfluorinated alkyl substances on freshwater organisms to identify safer alternatives to aquatic film forming foams. Website (http://devinkjones.wix.com/dkjones)

Michael received his M.S and PhD from Auburn University. His research lies at the interface of population, community, and ecosystem ecology, and he is particularly interested in the role of adaptation and evolution in mediating the response of communities and ecosystems to global change. His current research interests include developing and field-testing models of predator-prey interactions that incorporate the role of predator and prey evolution in the context of eutrophication; biogeography; and evaluating the causes of success or failure of invasive species as well as the consequences caused by successful introductions. He is currently an assistant professor at SUNY Brockport.

Wes received his Ph.D. through the Odum School of Ecology and Savannah River Ecology Lab at the University of Georgia. His research examined the consequences of long-term environmental contamination on phenotypic and genetic variation in amphibians. This work also incorporated the roles of maternal effects, physiology, and gut microbial responses associated with environmental exposure to contaminants understand the immediate and long-term consequences of degraded environments. His current research examines how per-/polyfluorinated alkyl substance exposure risk varies with land use and life stage to inform effective ecological risk assessment.

Jess investigated a broad range of questions related to the biology and conservation of aquatic systems. She was particularly interested in understanding how anthropogenic chemicals, such as pesticides, alter aquatic systems. She was also interested in understanding how diseases contribute to the ecology, evolution, and conservation of aquatic organisms. She is currently an assistant professor at Binghamton University.

Melissa earned her MS in 2022. Her research examined the influence of PFAS on host-parasite interactions in amphibians.

Grace earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Occidental College in 2017. She focused on marine biology in her studies and held positions in fisheries biology before coming to Purdue to work on amphibian exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). She hopes her experiences at Purdue will help inform her decisions in choosing a Master’s program in the next few years.

Katie earned her bachelor’s degree in Environment and Natural Resources from Ohio State University in 2020. While at OSU, she worked in an aquaculture lab where she focused on finding more sustainable feeds and understanding the effect of temperature on sex determination in Yellow Perch. She is excited to join the Hoverman Lab and learn more about the effects of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Maggie earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Purdue University in 2016 and 2020, respectively. Her research during her undergrad focused on how competition between a native and invasive Daphnia mediated the effects of a fungal disease, while her graduate research focused on the effects of weathered oil from the Deepwater Horizon spill on the gut microbiome and foraging behavior of the sheepshead minnow (Cyprinodon variegatus). She is interested in continuing to be involved in projects related to aquatic ecotoxicology and disease ecology and is planning to pursue a career in fisheries, environmental consulting, or public outreach

Mike is currently a researcher at the USGS in Oregon.

Brian is currently at the University of Montana working towards his PhD.