People
Dr. Charles Randklev is the Principal Investigator for the IRNR-TAMU Mussel Research Group. His research activities focus on status assessments of native mussel populations and understanding how habitat conditions contribute to mussel persistence. Dr. Randklev provides 12 years of experience studying freshwater mussels throughout Texas river systems.
CV
Mr. Michael Hart is a Research Associate, Freshwater Mussel Ecologist and laboratory manager with the TAMU-NRI Mussel Research Group. He graduated with a M.S. degree in Fisheries at Auburn University. The focus of his thesis research was on the development and use of a novel host-confirmation technique for use with Elliptio crassidens (elephant-ear) and Reginaia ebenus (ebony shell). Mr. Hart also has experience with field, biochemistry, and laboratory studies focusing on mussel ecotoxicology, ecology, and life history. Mr Hart provides 7 plus years of experience working with and sampling freshwater mussels in Alabama and Texas.
Ms. Jennifer Khan is a Research Associate with the TAMU-NRI Mussel Research Group. She recently graduated from the TMAU Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Her thesis project focused on assessing the upper thermal limits and of several threatened freshwater mussel species. Jen has five years of experience sampling and studying freshwater mussels in various rivers and streams across Texas and has helped with laboratory research of freshwater mussel propagation.
Alumni - Scientists and Students
Dr. Kentaro (Ken) Inoue was an Assistant Research Scientist and evolutionary and conservation biologist with the TAMU-NRI Mussel Research Group. His research focused on population genetics, phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses for mussels species in Texas. Dr. Inoue is now a research biologist with the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL.
Jack Dudding was a Research Assistant with the TAMU-NRI Mussel Research Group. He recently graduated from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Jack's research focused on identifying host fish for several threatened mussel species from central Texas. He is now a fisheries biologist with the Utah Department of Natural Resources.
Dr. Eric Tsakiris was an Assistant Research Scientist with the TAMU-NRI Mussel Research Group. He completed his PhD research via our Lab in collaboration with Dr. Kevin Conway. His research focused on popualtion performance of mussels from central Texas and evaluating the efficacy of translocation as a conservation tool. Eric is now a course leader with USFWS at the FWS National Training Center.
Dr. Eric Tsakiris was an Assistant Research Scientist with the TAMU-NRI Mussel Research Group. He completed his PhD research via our Lab in collaboration with Dr. Kevin Conway. His research focused on popualtion performance of mussels from central Texas and evaluating the efficacy of translocation as a conservation tool. Eric is now a course leader with USFWS at the FWS National Training Center.