|
Chelsea Smith (Ph.D. Candidate)I received a BS (2014) and MS (2016) in Biology from the University of Akron. I developed an interest in how microorganisms interact with their environment during my undergraduate research which focused on the interplay of evolutionary forces and how they shape the evolutionary rate of bacterial populations. My primary interests revolve around microbe-mineral interactions and nutrient biogeochemistry. My current research aims to investigate biological and geochemical controls of phosphate bioavailability in redox sensitive soils which include both arctic and temperate locations. .
|
|
Mike Back (Ph.D. Candidate)
I received a BS in Biology from Kent State University in 2021. My first exposure to ecological research was with the Blackwood Soil Ecology Lab where I had spent a couple years studying soil bulk density at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, while also helping a graduate student collect soil samples for chemical analysis. I became more interested in what was happening with the belowground chemistry, so I used that data to ask a few questions in my honors thesis. This research showed me the importance of biogeochemistry and lead me to the Kinsman-Costello lab to dive into some muddy waters. I am now part of the H2Ohio project and starting to look at nutrient flux and sediment removal in a myriad of different wetland soils across the state.
Dr. Erin Eberhard (Post-Doc)
I received a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Michigan (2015), an MS from Michigan Technological University (2017), and a PhD from Michigan Technological University (2022) in Biological Sciences. I became interested in aquatic ecology while attending the University of Michigan's Biological Station for summer courses and from there I developed an interest in biogeochemistry which led me to graduate school. My previous research focused on how spatial heterogeneity can affect nitrogen cycling within and across streams and wetlands. Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher working on the DOE REREP project evaluating how redox potential shifts with varying water levels in the wetland sediments of Old Woman Creek in Huron, OH.
I received a BS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Michigan (2015), an MS from Michigan Technological University (2017), and a PhD from Michigan Technological University (2022) in Biological Sciences. I became interested in aquatic ecology while attending the University of Michigan's Biological Station for summer courses and from there I developed an interest in biogeochemistry which led me to graduate school. My previous research focused on how spatial heterogeneity can affect nitrogen cycling within and across streams and wetlands. Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher working on the DOE REREP project evaluating how redox potential shifts with varying water levels in the wetland sediments of Old Woman Creek in Huron, OH.
Dr. Bishwodeep Adhikari (Post-Doc)
I received my BE from Tribhuvan University (Nepal), MS from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and PhD from Penn State University. My primary research interest is to explore the hydrology and biogeochemistry of green stormwater infrastructures (GSI) through field and lab-based approaches, and hydrological modeling. During my PhD, I conducted various field and lab-based experiments to analyze the performance of GSI in controlling urban stormwater runoff quantity and quality. Currently, as a postdoc, I am exploring nutrient retention drivers and hydrologic connectivity of various wetlands under the Great Lake Research Initiative (GLRI) project.
I received my BE from Tribhuvan University (Nepal), MS from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, and PhD from Penn State University. My primary research interest is to explore the hydrology and biogeochemistry of green stormwater infrastructures (GSI) through field and lab-based approaches, and hydrological modeling. During my PhD, I conducted various field and lab-based experiments to analyze the performance of GSI in controlling urban stormwater runoff quantity and quality. Currently, as a postdoc, I am exploring nutrient retention drivers and hydrologic connectivity of various wetlands under the Great Lake Research Initiative (GLRI) project.
Dr. Kenny Anderson (Post-Doc)
I received a BS (2014) from Gettysburg college, an MS from Western Kentucky University (2017), and PhD (2023) from Florida International University, all in biology. I have been involved in wetland ecology, in some capacity, since middle school when I volunteered certifying vernal pools in Massachusetts. I spent a period of time studying amphibians before settling into my current focus on biogeochemistry. My primary interest is in restoration, and how biogeochemical interactions with management decisions can determine the trajectories of altered wetlands. I am now a post-doctoral researcher working on synthesizing data from the H2Ohio monitoring project, to better understand when and how constructed wetlands are retaining phosphorus runoff before it reaches Lake Erie.
I received a BS (2014) from Gettysburg college, an MS from Western Kentucky University (2017), and PhD (2023) from Florida International University, all in biology. I have been involved in wetland ecology, in some capacity, since middle school when I volunteered certifying vernal pools in Massachusetts. I spent a period of time studying amphibians before settling into my current focus on biogeochemistry. My primary interest is in restoration, and how biogeochemical interactions with management decisions can determine the trajectories of altered wetlands. I am now a post-doctoral researcher working on synthesizing data from the H2Ohio monitoring project, to better understand when and how constructed wetlands are retaining phosphorus runoff before it reaches Lake Erie.
Marie Stofan (Masters Student)I received a BS in Environmental Science from Cleveland State University with a focus in geology. I developed an interest in wetland ecology during my undergraduate studies, and an interest in water quality as a part of the Watershed Volunteer Program in the Cleveland Metroparks. My primary interests are water quality and ecosystem function in urban environments. My current research involves monitoring wetlands in urban areas for indicators of freshwater salinization, and investigating links between salt concentrations in water with hydrology, impervious surface, and wetland sediment characteristics.
|
Megan Smith (Masters Student)In 2014, I graduated from Cleveland State University with a B.S. in Environmental Science (College of Sciences and Health Professions) and a B.A. in Environmental Studies (Levin College of Urban Affairs), both with concentrations in Environmental Planning. My career and research interests focus on stormwater and nutrient management, and public outreach and education on water resource topics. After working 4 years in watershed management (and 10 years in the culinary arts), I came to the Kinsman-Costello Lab to study how redox-sensitive attributes of mud differ across temporal and spatial scales in Old Woman Creek Estuary (Huron, OH), and how these attributes affect the relationship between phosphorus and iron.
|
Noel Miavez (Masters Student)I am a veteran of the USAF and spent 17 years in a career as a network administrator. At the age of 35 I returned to school to obtain my BS in Zoology from KSU in 2015 and graduated magna cum laude in 2018. I am currently working to obtain my MS in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from KSU in the lab of Dr. Lauren Kinsman-Costello. With a strong desire to keep water clean and available for all living things, I study the effects of urban road salt runoff on the amount of dissolved metals in surface waters. I believe that mitigating the impact of human activity on surface waters through green stormwater control measures is an important step in cleaner aquatic environments!
|
Talia Pope (Lab Manager)Talia co-manages the Kinsman-Costello and Costello labs. She is involved in all the ongoing projects in the lab including field sampling and running all the analytical equipment.
|
Raissa Mendonca (H2Ohio Data Manager)I received a BS (2014) in Biological Sciences from Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (Brazil), and attended the University of Michigan as an undergraduate exchange student in 2012. I developed an interest in ecotoxicology during my undergraduate research working on the sublethal effects of organic contaminants on fish larvae. In addition to ecotoxicology, my dissertation research piqued my interest in metal biogeochemistry and geomicrobiology as I researched the role of metal oxides on nickel bioavailability to the benthic biota in stream systems. Currently, my interests also include wetland systems, nutrient biogeochemistry, and big data while I work as the Research Project Coordinator for the H2Ohio state-wide water quality initiative.
|
|
Olivia Johnson (H2Ohio Research Coordinator)I think wetlands are awe-inspiring ecosystems, I find soil and plant processes perpetually intriguing, and I work to bridge the gap between institutional science and public application. As Research Coordinator for the H2Ohio Wetland Monitoring Program, I interact with >30 academic scientists and technical staff, along with dozens of agency and management partners. I develop agendas for co-working sessions, track progress on technical tasks, evaluate workflow success, author reports, and more. Previously, I studied carbon dynamics in Prairie Pothole wetlands as a Biologist for U.S. Geological Survey (2018 – 2022). My master’s thesis research focused on how plant management affects greenhouse gas dynamics in northern Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands (2016 – 2018). I received a M.S. in Natural Resources from University of Connecticut and a B.S. in Environmental Science (minor in Philosophy) from DePaul University.
|
Current Undergraduate Students
Mitchel Pozwick
Julia Coyle
Grace Watson
Emily Campbell
Hunter Sopher
Julia Coyle
Grace Watson
Emily Campbell
Hunter Sopher
Former Staff
Nick Johnson, Lab Manager (A long time ago - 2022)
Former Graduate Students
Bree Richardson, MS 2018 (KSU Biological Sciences)
Laura Sugano, MS 2018 (KSU Geology, co-advised with Dr. Anne Jefferson)
Hayley Buzulencia, MS 2019 (KSU Geology, co-advsied with Dr. Anne Jefferson)
Laura Sugano, MS 2018 (KSU Geology, co-advised with Dr. Anne Jefferson)
Hayley Buzulencia, MS 2019 (KSU Geology, co-advsied with Dr. Anne Jefferson)
Former Undergraduate Students
Erica Horton
Morgan Hughes
Talia Pope
Cameron Jones
Annabelle Pichette
Makenzie Strole
Bethany Haynes
Jordan Troutman
Daiyanera Kelsey
Hailey Ryszka
Sophia Sorboro
Alyssa Suto
Riley Weatherholt (Honors Thesis, 2019)
Taylor Michael (Honors Thesis, 2018)
Andrew Moledor
Azure Fernsler
Brian Aguirre
JD Kersten
Kelsey Moore
Jonathan Mills
Jaynell Nicholson
Cody Unferdorfer
Carlyn Mitchell
Abigail Hoffman (NSF REU)
Sidney Bush (NSF REU)
Jillian Sarazen (NSF REU)
Morgan Hughes
Talia Pope
Cameron Jones
Annabelle Pichette
Makenzie Strole
Bethany Haynes
Jordan Troutman
Daiyanera Kelsey
Hailey Ryszka
Sophia Sorboro
Alyssa Suto
Riley Weatherholt (Honors Thesis, 2019)
Taylor Michael (Honors Thesis, 2018)
Andrew Moledor
Azure Fernsler
Brian Aguirre
JD Kersten
Kelsey Moore
Jonathan Mills
Jaynell Nicholson
Cody Unferdorfer
Carlyn Mitchell
Abigail Hoffman (NSF REU)
Sidney Bush (NSF REU)
Jillian Sarazen (NSF REU)