Mentor’s Name and Department: Dr. Michael Chislock, Environmental Science & Ecology
Major and Class Year: Environmental Science, Class of 2027
Long-Term Goals: I plan to present at SUNY Brockport Scholar’s Day as well as the Finger Lakes Research Conference in 2026! Depending on the outcome of the study, I may continue this research to understand the excretion and population impacts on Conesus Lake.
Project Description:
My research seeks to understand the potential impact of nutrient excretion (urination, fecal matter) by an invasive fish species (Eurasian rudd) in Conesus Lake. Prior research has shown that nutrient recycling by fishes in lakes can contribute to harmful algal blooms. This summer, I’ve been catching fish and containing them in bags with pre-filtered and pre-aerated water for an hour. I take initial and final water samples to estimate size-specific nutrient excretion rates of different species.
What advice would you give to a student just starting research?
Make sure to take initiative in the time before SURP to prepare! Read papers, plan your experiments, and coordinate schedules with your mentor. The hard work now really pays off in the end.
This project was made possible thanks to the generosity of the Brockport Foundation.