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Biology

Post-Doctoral Associates

Allison Keever, Ph.D.

Allison KeeverAdvisor: Brad Cohen
Research Focus: We are collaborating with Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) to develop tools to improve monitoring white-tailed deer populations across Tennessee. We will develop an integrated population model (IPM) that capitalizes on existing harvest data that are commonly collected in exploited populations to estimate annual abundance of deer. Further, we will evaluate tradeoffs between the amount and type of monitoring data included and the precisions of estimates from the IPM using structured decision making (SDM). This will provide guidance on sampling effort to meet the objectives for monitoring deer in Tennessee.

    • B.S., University of Illinois
    • M.S., Auburn University
    • Ph.D., University of Montana

Jingjing Li, Ph.D.

Advisor: Justin MurdockJingjing Li
Research Focus:
Freshwater algae molecular detection methods, harmful algal bloom formation mechanisms in reservoirs and rivers, and the effects of nutrients on algae competition and microcystin production.

  • B.S., Biological Engineering, Huaqiao University
  • M.S., Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
  • Ph.D., Institute of Urban Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Robert T. R. Paine

Advisor: Mark Rogers/Amanda RosenbergerRobert TR Paine
Research Focus: My research focus includes all things environmental DNA (eDNA) and molecular ecology. I use the discarded biological components from animals (e.g., skin cells, slime, feces), which all contain DNA, to answer questions related to the presence and distribution of aquatic animals. I also apply metabarcoding techniques to characterize entire fish communities. While my primary focus is threatened and endangered species (e.g. Pygmy Madtom, Slender Chub, Duskytail Darter), I also apply my tools to invasive species, like Sliver Carp and Sharptooth Walking catfish.

  • B.S., Marine Biology, University of West Florida
  • Ph.D., Environmental Sciences, Tennessee Tech University

Alexanderia Lacy

Advisor: Mark RogersAlex Lacy
Research Focus: Our research project focuses on the use of statistical methods on the metapopulation of Silver Carp in the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. We estimate Silver Carp demographic and movement rates to understand the species and inform management. As well as use a spatially explicit population model to compare control methods for Silver Carp management.

  • B.S., Mississippi Valley State Universtiy
  • M.S., University of Mississippi
  • Ph.D., University of Tennessee

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