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  • Home
  • People
  • Research Interests
  • Publications
  • Service & Outreach
  • Lab News
  • Prospective Students

Dr. Carla L. Atkinson  

Dr. Atkinson
Ph.D. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Oklahoma, 2013
M.S. Ecology, University of Georgia, 2008
B.S. Biology, Missouri State University, 2006


Curriculum Vitae
Google Scholar Profile
Publications

Lab: Bevill Hall, Room 2109
Office: Bevill Hall, Room 2109B

Courses taught:
BSC 320: Freshwater Studies
​BSC 385: Ecology and Evolution
BSC 695: Foundations of Ecology
                                                         BSC 497/695: Coastal Plain Aquatic Ecosystems

I study the ecology, evolution, and conservation of aquatic ecosystems with particular focus in rivers and geographically isolated wetlands. Work in my lab group uses a combination of field and mesocosm studies with larger spatial scale analyses and syntheses. With a focus on aquatic insect, mussel, and amphibian communities, I  aim to understand the linkages between organisms and ecological function. Research focuses on southeastern US rivers,  geographically isolated wetlands of the Gulf Coastal Plain, and Arctic stream systems.

Post Doctoral Research Associates

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Garrett Hopper 

Ph.D. Biology, Kansas State University
M.S. Biology, Kansas State University
B.S. Natural Resource Ecology and Management: Fisheries and Aquatic Ecology, Oklahoma State University


I am an aquatic ecologist with broad interests in community ecology, ecosystem structure and function, and conservation biology.  My research addresses two basic themes: 1) identifying patterns and processes regulating species diversity and habitat associations of stream organisms; 2) influence of global change on the relationship between diversity and stream ecosystem function. I combine field, mesocosm, and laboratory studies to understand these interactions and processes.

Garrett is working on the Mussels Dimensions of Biology project. 


Graduate Students

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Megan Kubala 

M.S. Student 
B.S. Biology, Millersville University 

My previous research projects have included studying the bioaccumulation of PCBs in aquatic systems and nutrient assimilation in the freshwater mussel Elliptio complanata. My broad research interests include aquatic ecology, conservation biology, and microbial ecology. I am interested in studying how mussel species diversity influences sediment microbial community structure as well as how sediment microbial species composition impacts large-scale ecosystem processes. For my graduate research, I’ll be working in collaboration with the Mussels Dimensions of Biology project. 
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Matthew Lodato 

Ph.D. Student
M.S. Environmental Biology, University of Southern Mississippi
B.S. Marine Biology, University of Southern Mississippi
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My broad interests are microbial ecology, organic matter processing, and elemental cycling. I intend to study the metabolic interactions between microorganisms and macroinvertebrates to assess the impact these relationships have on carbon and nutrient cycling and other ecosystem processes. My previous research investigated the functional importance and diversity of fungi during aerial leaf litter decomposition and I recently led the sampling efforts of multiple, ongoing Everglades research projects focused on the population dynamics and spatial ecology of aquatic communities.​
Irene Sanchez Gonzalez 

Ph.D. Student
M.S. Biology, Arkansas State University
B.S. Biology, Missouri Valley College
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I am interested in the diversity of traits of freshwater mussels, including morphology or nutrient storage, and how those traits vary across environmental gradients. I plan to study the influence that mussel diversity has on ecosystem functioning with lab experiments and field observations in several streams draining into the Tennessee and Mobile River Basins. Some of my previous research includes: land use impacts on water quality and the influence of river habitat on freshwater mussel community structure.
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Brian van Ee
Brian van Ee

Ph.D. Candidate
B.S. Aquatics and Fisheries Science, SUNY - College of Environmental Science and Forestry

I am interested in how biotic communities organize and function. I am examining freshwater mussel communities to determine to what extent mussels partition resources within the community to better understand how these animals co-occur with so many potentially competing species. I am also investigating the ecosystem functions carried out by freshwater mussels and the interplay between mussel niche space and ecosystem function to determine whether species specific niche characteristics augment their ecosystem function.

See the Lab Alumni


Undergraduate Students​

Taylor Kelley

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Madison Knapp

Jane Kunberger

Ansley Hamid

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Maya Owens-Freeman

Austin Beets

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Lab Assistance

Anne Bell
Anne Bell


Lab assistance and LACHAT, Seal, and CHNS analyzer extraordinaire!

Collaborators

Jon Benstead - University of Alabama

Amy Burgin - University of Kansas 

Krista Capps - University of Georgia  (Atkapps Exchange!)

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Antonio Castro - Idaho State University

​Lisa Davis - University of Alabama

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Ken Forshay - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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Ryan Garrick - University of Mississippi

Stephen Golladay - J.W. Jones Ecological Research Center

Halvor Halvorson - University of Central Arkansas

​Colin Jackson - University of Mississippi

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Matt Jenny - University of Alabama
Jason Julian - Texas State University

Paul Johnson - Alabama Aquatic Biodiversity Center

Nate Jones - University of Alabama


Kevin Kuehn - University of Southern Mississippi

Kevin Kocot - University of Alabama

Jeff Lozier - University of Alabama

John Pfeiffer - Smithsonian


Amanda Rugenski - University of Georgia

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Lora Smith - J.W. Jones Ecological Research Center

Amanda Subalusky - Yale University

​​Caryn Vaughn - University of Oklahoma

Lab Mascot

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Chloe Bear!

Chloe's research interests involve finding the best sticks when she comes out for field work. She particularly favors sticks near rivers that are thrown for her chasing enjoyment.
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