Monitoring the fauna of a restored coastal wetland
Ecology, evolution, and genomics of gars (Lepisosteidae), Bowfin (Amia calva) and other ancient fishes, with applications to biomedical sciences including understanding development of human diseases.
Ellis masters thesis: Variation in species diversity and trophic ecology of a restored Mississippi River floodplain fish community with a focus on gars (Lepisosteidae) [completed Spring 2021]
Fredrickson masters thesis: Using stable isotopes to compare seasonal and spatial variation in trophic position of the Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus in Louisiana floodplains [completed Spring 2020]
Fontana masters thesis: Growth and development of Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus spawned out of season [completed Spring 2020]

PAST PROJECTS
Great Lakes Native Fishes Conservation – Restoration Ecology of Cisco/Lake Herring Coregonus artedi and deepwater ciscoes.

Great Lakes Migratory Fishes – Reemergence of Lake Whitefish Coregonus clupeaformis migrations in northern Lake Michigan tributaries

Great Lakes Migratory Fishes – Effects of dam removal and habitat restoration on migratory Northern Pike Esox lucius in northern Lake Michigan tributaries

Ecology and conservation of peripheral populations of the Spotted Gar Lepisosteus oculatus. See David et al. 2015, David and Wright 2017.


Sustainable practices (fishmeal substitution, optimal stocking densities, water use) in aquaculture of air-breathing fishes (Tropical Gar Atractosteus tropicus and Cuban Gar A. tristoechus).


First off, love your research on all things Gar and also Pike. These happen to be my most favorite species to fish for. I am a solely a catch, photo, and release fishermen. The most over abundant river in Chicago with these two species is the Des Plaines River. Over populated with Pike in the northern cook and lake county stretches, and heavily populated with Gar south of the Brandon Lock and Dam. There are basically no Gar above the Brandon lock and dam, but heavily stacked up at the Brandon lock and dam. Too bad we can’t consider the Chicago river and Illinois waterway a tributary. I look foward to your continued research.