Lab Members
Dr. Donna Kashian
Lab Principal Investigator/Advisor Vice President the International Association of Great Lakes Research Great Lakes Science Advisory Board and Science Priority Committee Member: International Joint Commission Dr. Kashian’s research focuses on the role of disturbance, including invasive species, climate change, and contaminants, on aquatic communities and ecosystems of the Great Lakes. Her work specifically focuses on how multiple disturbances impact toxicity. Her work involves interdisciplinary collaborations incorporating science, policy, engineering, sociology, and industry professionals in addressing complex environmental issues. Enjoy the recent Sea Grant Article on Dr. Kashian: THIS IS WHAT A GREAT LAKES SCIENTIST LOOKS LIKE: DONNA KASHIANwww.michiganseagrant.org/blog/2022/03/30/this-is-what-a-great-lakes-scientist-looks-like-donna-kashian/ Dr. Kashian is also a Visiting Scientist of the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory/NOAA. Get more information about her research here: GLERL – Donna Kashian
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Dr. Kishore Gopalakrishnan
Postdoctoral Researcher His research is concerned about algal bioactive compounds and its chemical communications between organisms and environment, with water pollution control applications. Particular focus areas are quagga mussels spawning stoppage by algae, and interaction of microplastics with algae. His research is predominantly experimental & analytical but also includes theoretical and numerical studies, often in collaboration with other groups. He was involved in discovering new species of algae, which has industrially important secondary metabolite astaxanthin, and optimization studies using DOE-RSM.
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Brittanie Dabney
Ph.D. Student Brittanie studies the impacts of microplastics and PFAS on benthic invertebrate populations and quantifying microplastics in the Rouge and Clinton River watersheds. In the Wayne State T-RUST program she is also working to quantify microplastics in green stormwater infrastructure in Detroit, MI. Influence of Microplastics and PFOS on Benthic Invertebrates |
Héctor Esparra-Escalera
Ph.D. Student Héctor's research focuses on the evaluation of benthic macroinvertebrates in urban streams of the Detroit Metropolitan area, in which the main goal is to determine the effectiveness of natural Green Infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances by enhancing colonization and stability of food webs. Quarantine Sci Com Video: Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Water Quality and Green Infrastructure |
Brenna Friday
Ph.D. Student Brenna is a PhD student studying the impact that harmful algal blooms can have on larval amphibians. Little is known on this topic, so she hopes to use field and laboratory studies to expose how already vulnerable populations of frogs in Michigan are being impacted by cyanotoxins Quarantine Sci Com Video: Green Frogs and algae
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Katrina Lewandowski
Ph.D. Student Katrina's research focuses on the impact invasive zebra and quagga mussels have on the Great Lakes region. Research projects include laboratory studies that aim to determine how cyanobacteria influences two distinct populations of quagga mussels and how larval fish may be impacted by the presence of these invasive mussels. Quarantine Sci Com Video: Great Lakes Invasive Quagga Mussels |
Ali Shakoor
Ph.D. Student Ali is studying the effects of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) on a commercially important fish, Walleye. Very little is known about how juvenile walleye are impacted by HAB events, yet this is crucial information as the frequency and intensity of blooms increase and bloom events are occurring earlier and spatially and temporally interfering with juvenile walleye habitat. Furthermore, understanding the interactions among HABs and walleye can help better inform walleye population models. In addition to his research, Ali is active in science communication, in particular bringing his love of the outdoors and Great Lakes Science to under-represented communities, educating anglers, and conservation clubs on fish consumption advisories, fisheries science, and invasive species. In 2020 alone, Ali was featured on Michigan Out-of-Doors, National Wildlife Federation Great Lakes Regional Center-River of Influence, and the National Wildlife Federation Film-Stop Asian Carp. He was also the featured biologist in Into the Outdoors-Wild About Walleyes (PBS), which was broadcast in thousands of classrooms across the country. Ali presented his research to conservation and fishing groups such West Michigan Walleye Club, Battle Creek Steelheaders, and the Downriver Walleye Federation, which is the largest walleye/conservation club in the nation. Prior to the pandemic, he was active in STEM outreach by giving invasive species presentations to Detroit K-12 groups. Quarantine Sci Com Video: Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms on Walleye |
Former Postdoctoral Fellows
Vijayavel Kannappan Alisha Davidson Abigail Fusaro
Lab Undergraduate Researchers
Summer Kizy
Jacob Wielgomas |
Ali Alzady
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Lab Alumni
Former Graduate Students
Dr. Darrin Hunt (PhD)-Lecturer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Dr. Corey Krabbenhoft (PhD)- Assistant Professor- University at Buffalo
Corey A. Krabbenhoft, Ph.D. (coreykrabbenhoft.com)
Dr. Anna Boegehold (PhD)-Algal Toxin & Ecology Research Specialist- Cooperative Institute of Great Lakes Research Anna Boegehold | CIGLR (umich.edu)
Carie Addiz (Masters)
Krystal Bakkila (Masters)
Travis White (Masters)-Data Visualization & Reporting Analyst- City of Detroit
Joshua Southern (Masters)
Dr. Carly Nowicki (PhD) -Instructor- University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
Dr. Corey Krabbenhoft (PhD)- Assistant Professor- University at Buffalo
Corey A. Krabbenhoft, Ph.D. (coreykrabbenhoft.com)
Dr. Anna Boegehold (PhD)-Algal Toxin & Ecology Research Specialist- Cooperative Institute of Great Lakes Research Anna Boegehold | CIGLR (umich.edu)
Carie Addiz (Masters)
Krystal Bakkila (Masters)
Travis White (Masters)-Data Visualization & Reporting Analyst- City of Detroit
Joshua Southern (Masters)
Dr. Carly Nowicki (PhD) -Instructor- University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
Former Undergraduate Students (incomplete list)
Karim Alame (Pharmacy Student- Wayne State University)
Ali Alzady
Erin Barksdale
John Buszkiewicz (Fisheries Biologist · Michigan Department of Natural Resources)
Andrew Camilleri (Benthic Ecologist- UM-CIGLR)
Moussa Chehab (medical school class of 2025)
Elaine Davis (veterinarian- VCA SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency)
Brittani Dodd
Danielle Donovan
Jake Dombrowski (Scientist at South Florida Water Management District)
Ali El Kharsa
Rida Farook (medical school)
Mavis Gappy (medical school)
Cody Hills (graduate student- Australia)
Mahmoud Hijazi (medical school)
Michael Kaleita
Maheen Kanji (optometry school)
Krystal Krygowski (Research Assistant at University of Michigan- School for Environment and Sustainability)
Romon Long (Material Logistics at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
Sukria Malique
Margaret Martinez (graduate student-Georgetown PhD)
Ryan Marchand Ccim
Brandi Marie (veterinary school)
Molly McKeon (graduate student)
Ahmad Munir Al Rubaie
Adam Pedersen (graduate student-Ecology- Canada)
Eresha Perera
Robert Roose (Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Washington State-Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians)
Noor Soboh (Environmental Engineer at DTE Energy)
Benjamin Spei (graduate student-Forestry)
Clare Surmont (graduate student- Oakland University)
Vanessa Verstraete- Matrix Sciences
Angie Yaldoo
Peter Zlobicki
Ali Alzady
Erin Barksdale
John Buszkiewicz (Fisheries Biologist · Michigan Department of Natural Resources)
Andrew Camilleri (Benthic Ecologist- UM-CIGLR)
Moussa Chehab (medical school class of 2025)
Elaine Davis (veterinarian- VCA SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency)
Brittani Dodd
Danielle Donovan
Jake Dombrowski (Scientist at South Florida Water Management District)
Ali El Kharsa
Rida Farook (medical school)
Mavis Gappy (medical school)
Cody Hills (graduate student- Australia)
Mahmoud Hijazi (medical school)
Michael Kaleita
Maheen Kanji (optometry school)
Krystal Krygowski (Research Assistant at University of Michigan- School for Environment and Sustainability)
Romon Long (Material Logistics at FCA Fiat Chrysler Automobiles)
Sukria Malique
Margaret Martinez (graduate student-Georgetown PhD)
Ryan Marchand Ccim
Brandi Marie (veterinary school)
Molly McKeon (graduate student)
Ahmad Munir Al Rubaie
Adam Pedersen (graduate student-Ecology- Canada)
Eresha Perera
Robert Roose (Fish and Wildlife Biologist, Washington State-Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians)
Noor Soboh (Environmental Engineer at DTE Energy)
Benjamin Spei (graduate student-Forestry)
Clare Surmont (graduate student- Oakland University)
Vanessa Verstraete- Matrix Sciences
Angie Yaldoo
Peter Zlobicki