Department of Environmental Sciences

Undergraduate Research Topics & Mentors

Ecology Projects & Mentors

Dr. Jonathan Bossenbroek
jonathan.bossenbroek@utoledo.edu

  • Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to forecast the spread and economic impact of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes region
  • Assessing the community composition of darter communities in the streams of Ohio

Dr. Tom Bridgeman
thomas.bridgeman@utoledo.edu

  • Studying the ecology of Lake Erie
  • Studying environmental problems like harmful algal blooms and temporary low oxygen "dead zones"
  • Using advanced lake monitoring instruments to chemically and biologically analyze lake samples

Dr. Daryl Dywer
daryl.dwyer@utoledo.edu

Our recent undergraduate members have gained experience in performing literature reviews, experimental design, laboratory analyses, field surveys, greenhouse work, and a variety of hands-on applications. We can currently accommodate internships, independent course study, and work-study eligible students.

  • Field and greenhouse studies evaluating candidate plant species for use in major remediation/restoration projects.
  • Field work and environmental sampling within the Lake Erie watershed for a variety of chemical and biological contaminants.
  • Laboratory analyses for the detection of microbial and chemical contaminants.
  • Implementing designs for brownfield remediation and wetland studies at our newly constructed Environmental Remediation and Restoration Park at the Stranahan Arboretum

Dr. Scott Heckathorn
scott.heckathorn@utoledo.edu

  • Plant and algae physiology and ecology
  • Global-change biology, especially heat stress and CO2 effects
  • Mineral nutrition, especially early detection of stress
  • Native algae for biofuel

Dr. Christine Mayer
christine.mayer@utoledo.edu

Projects addressing community and ecosystem ecology in aquatic systems including invertebrate-fish ecology, organism habitat modification (ecosystem engineering), and introduced-species effects in lakes. Some recent projects include:

  • Foraging experiments and modeling on the effects of lake turbidity on yellow perch
  • Surveying benthic invertebrates in inshore and offshore habitats of Lake Erie
  • Studying the effect of zebra mussels on bottom algae and invertebrates
  • Assessing the impact of a power plant on the larval fish community at the mouth of the Maumee River

Dr. Von Sigler
von.sigler@utoledo.edu

  • Assessment of the environmental fate and transport of pathogens including bacteria and viruses
  • Development and optimization of methodology to facilitate the sampling of airborne pathogens

Dr. Mike Weintraub
michael.weintraub@utoledo.edu

  • Working on a variety of different research projects aimed at understanding plant/soil interactions and the microbial controls on decomposition and nutrient cycling in soils
 

Geology Projects & Mentors

Dr. Richard Becker
richard.becker@utoledo.edu

  • Mapping algae blooms in Lake Erie with Remote Sensing tools
  • Using GIS tools to model the runoff into Western Basin of Lake Erie
  • Investigating effects of climate variations on Nile River flow
  • Determining Nile Delta subsidence from satellite radar interferometry

Dr. Timothy Fisher
timothy.fisher@utoledo.edu

Recovering sediment cores from Midwestern sites and analyzing sediment properties to:

  • Study age of deglaciation
  • Determine isolation ages of lake or wetland sites following lowering of lake levels during deglaciation of the Great Lakes
  • Analyze sand content in sediment cores to determine climate signals
  • Map strandlines (ancient beaches) around paleo lake basins using maps, photos and Digital Elevation Models
Last Updated: 6/27/22