Faculty
Carol Arantes is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources at WVU. She earned her PhD in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University (USA), her Masters in Applied Zoology (UESC, Brazil), and Bachelors in Oceanography (UERJ, Brazil), and was a Research Associate at the Michigan State University, Center for Global Change and Earth Observations (MSU). Carol Arantes has also worked as a fisheries scientist in Non-Governmental Agencies in the Amazon: Instituto Mamiraua and IPAM.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Graduate Students
Erin Shepta
Erin is originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biology: Animal Behavior from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 2019. After graduation, she started working as an environmental technician contracted to help stop the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly in southeastern PA. It was here that she developed her passion for working in the field of invasive species ecology. In August 2020 she started her master's degree in Biology at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. Her thesis focused on assessing the pathways of introduction and potential impacts of two invasive fish species in the Brazos River. For her PhD research, Erin is focusing on investigating factors that limit the spread of invasive carp in the Ohio and Tennessee-Cumberland River basins. Her research interests include invasive species, community ecology, freshwater ecology, and conservation biology. When not working, Erin enjoys spending time with her dog, travelling, going to the movies, and going to the beach.
Email: [email protected]
Erin is originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biology: Animal Behavior from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 2019. After graduation, she started working as an environmental technician contracted to help stop the spread of the invasive spotted lanternfly in southeastern PA. It was here that she developed her passion for working in the field of invasive species ecology. In August 2020 she started her master's degree in Biology at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. Her thesis focused on assessing the pathways of introduction and potential impacts of two invasive fish species in the Brazos River. For her PhD research, Erin is focusing on investigating factors that limit the spread of invasive carp in the Ohio and Tennessee-Cumberland River basins. Her research interests include invasive species, community ecology, freshwater ecology, and conservation biology. When not working, Erin enjoys spending time with her dog, travelling, going to the movies, and going to the beach.
Email: [email protected]
Joseph Molina
Joseph is from a town in Southern Maryland adjacent to Chesapeake Bay where he became interested in fisheries and ecology. While attending community college, he worked as a lab technician at the University of Maryland, studying estuarine and tropical ecology. He completed his B.Sc. in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University in 2019. During his undergrad, he became interested in quantitative ecology while an REU fellow at Scripps Oceanography and freshwater fisheries while researching Muskellunge biology. After a short return to the University of Maryland studying anthropogenic nutrient inputs to coastal Belize as well as Chesapeake Bay mysid population dynamics, Joseph started at WVU. Broadly, his work is centered around developing a tool that integrates climate change vulnerabilities at the species, community, and habitat levels to subsequently derive an overall watershed-level vulnerability. An important outcome of his project will be providing a framework that WV and other regional managers can apply to their systems. When not at the computer, Joseph enjoys rock climbing, exploring with his husky, and Chess.
Email: [email protected]
Joseph is from a town in Southern Maryland adjacent to Chesapeake Bay where he became interested in fisheries and ecology. While attending community college, he worked as a lab technician at the University of Maryland, studying estuarine and tropical ecology. He completed his B.Sc. in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University in 2019. During his undergrad, he became interested in quantitative ecology while an REU fellow at Scripps Oceanography and freshwater fisheries while researching Muskellunge biology. After a short return to the University of Maryland studying anthropogenic nutrient inputs to coastal Belize as well as Chesapeake Bay mysid population dynamics, Joseph started at WVU. Broadly, his work is centered around developing a tool that integrates climate change vulnerabilities at the species, community, and habitat levels to subsequently derive an overall watershed-level vulnerability. An important outcome of his project will be providing a framework that WV and other regional managers can apply to their systems. When not at the computer, Joseph enjoys rock climbing, exploring with his husky, and Chess.
Email: [email protected]
Katie Adase
Katie was raised in Marshall County, WV, where she developed her relationship with nature on her parents’ small farm. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources from West Virginia University. As an undergraduate student, she conducted research with Round River Conservation Studies in Chilean Patagonia on various natural resource conservation projects, including the potential effects of tourism on the periglacial ecosystems of the Northern Patagonian Icefield, and interned with Conservacion Patagonica as a backcountry wildlife ranger. While in Patagonia, she developed an interest in the effects of dams on local ecosystems and communities after studying the Patagonia sin Represas movement. She also spent time working on a native people’s reservation in the Peruvian Amazon, where she aided in agroforestry and aquaculture projects. After undergrad, she completed an AmeriCorps service term on the USFS Middle Fork District in Challis, ID, working on the wilderness trails crew and river permitting. For her M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, Katie is researching fish assemblage response of low head dam removals on the West Fork River, in Harrison Co. WV. Her research interests include freshwater ecology, anthropogenic impacts on natural systems, restoration ecology, and environmental justice.
Email: [email protected]
Katie was raised in Marshall County, WV, where she developed her relationship with nature on her parents’ small farm. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources from West Virginia University. As an undergraduate student, she conducted research with Round River Conservation Studies in Chilean Patagonia on various natural resource conservation projects, including the potential effects of tourism on the periglacial ecosystems of the Northern Patagonian Icefield, and interned with Conservacion Patagonica as a backcountry wildlife ranger. While in Patagonia, she developed an interest in the effects of dams on local ecosystems and communities after studying the Patagonia sin Represas movement. She also spent time working on a native people’s reservation in the Peruvian Amazon, where she aided in agroforestry and aquaculture projects. After undergrad, she completed an AmeriCorps service term on the USFS Middle Fork District in Challis, ID, working on the wilderness trails crew and river permitting. For her M.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources, Katie is researching fish assemblage response of low head dam removals on the West Fork River, in Harrison Co. WV. Her research interests include freshwater ecology, anthropogenic impacts on natural systems, restoration ecology, and environmental justice.
Email: [email protected]
Sam Grinstead
My name is Sam Grinstead, and I am from Des Moines, Iowa. I became interested in aquatic ecology in childhood, growing up fishing for gar and catfish in the Des Moines River. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Animal Ecology (Fisheries and Aquatic Science Option) from Iowa State University in 2020. During undergrad, I worked for various fisheries research projects such as those on invasive carp in the Mississippi River, state threatened brook trout in the Driftless Area, sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay, and the federally endangered Topeka Shiner in Western Iowa. I am interested in how landscape alterations impact fish communities as well as identifying indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. At WVU, I’m studying how floodplain deforestation impacts floating meadow fish communities in the Lower Amazon River, as well as the influence of dam construction on fish functional diversity in the Madeira River. From this research, I will quantify the various effects that anthropogenic stressors have on the environmental filtering of fish communities in the Amazon River basin. In my free time I love to kayak, fish, and sell my art! www.samgrinsteadart.com
Email: [email protected]
My name is Sam Grinstead, and I am from Des Moines, Iowa. I became interested in aquatic ecology in childhood, growing up fishing for gar and catfish in the Des Moines River. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Animal Ecology (Fisheries and Aquatic Science Option) from Iowa State University in 2020. During undergrad, I worked for various fisheries research projects such as those on invasive carp in the Mississippi River, state threatened brook trout in the Driftless Area, sockeye salmon in Bristol Bay, and the federally endangered Topeka Shiner in Western Iowa. I am interested in how landscape alterations impact fish communities as well as identifying indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. At WVU, I’m studying how floodplain deforestation impacts floating meadow fish communities in the Lower Amazon River, as well as the influence of dam construction on fish functional diversity in the Madeira River. From this research, I will quantify the various effects that anthropogenic stressors have on the environmental filtering of fish communities in the Amazon River basin. In my free time I love to kayak, fish, and sell my art! www.samgrinsteadart.com
Email: [email protected]
Alanna Lowther
Alanna has a major in Biology (B.S.) from WVU. She is passionate about all things aquatic with a deep love for fishes of all kinds. Her project investigates community assembly process in responses to anthropogenic impacts in different geographic regions. She has large experiences in fieldwork methods, including electrofishing, macroinvertebrate, and water quality In the lab, she has processed field fish and macroinvertebrate samples collected. In her free time she enjoys exploring the outdoors, spending time with her family and fiancé, and learning.
Email: [email protected]
Alanna has a major in Biology (B.S.) from WVU. She is passionate about all things aquatic with a deep love for fishes of all kinds. Her project investigates community assembly process in responses to anthropogenic impacts in different geographic regions. She has large experiences in fieldwork methods, including electrofishing, macroinvertebrate, and water quality In the lab, she has processed field fish and macroinvertebrate samples collected. In her free time she enjoys exploring the outdoors, spending time with her family and fiancé, and learning.
Email: [email protected]
Luka Marques
Luka Marques is an international student from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Ecology - Biological Sciences from UFRJ, Brazil. While in Brazil his work focused on tropical freshwater fish and crustaceans, characterizing stream communities in Tijuca’s National Forest (PNT, Brazil). In addition to developing this research, his professional experiences include working as a teaching assistant, fieldwork technician, and environmental consultant. Luka has also experience working in monitoring programs in Amazonian streams (Igarapés), in Pará, Brazil and in extension projects that involved streams, rivers, and beaches cleaning and environmental education. Areas of interest: Niche, Functional Ecology, Fisheries, Freshwater Ecology. Always passionate about mostly everything. When not working or studying you can find him on one of his hobbies: singing, cooking, boxing, fishing or just hanging out with friends.
Email: [email protected]
Luka Marques is an international student from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Ecology - Biological Sciences from UFRJ, Brazil. While in Brazil his work focused on tropical freshwater fish and crustaceans, characterizing stream communities in Tijuca’s National Forest (PNT, Brazil). In addition to developing this research, his professional experiences include working as a teaching assistant, fieldwork technician, and environmental consultant. Luka has also experience working in monitoring programs in Amazonian streams (Igarapés), in Pará, Brazil and in extension projects that involved streams, rivers, and beaches cleaning and environmental education. Areas of interest: Niche, Functional Ecology, Fisheries, Freshwater Ecology. Always passionate about mostly everything. When not working or studying you can find him on one of his hobbies: singing, cooking, boxing, fishing or just hanging out with friends.
Email: [email protected]
Undergraduate Students
Ayla Bayne
Ayla is originally from Sarasota, Florida, and has lived in West Virginia for over eight years. She is currently a sophomore at WVU majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources and minoring in Biology and Environmental Change. Her interests include current ecological issues, human impacts on wildlife, and sustainability. In the lab, Ayla is helping with species vulnerability assessments that will be used to create a tool that measures vulnerability to climate change at a watershed level. Outside of school, Ayla enjoys drawing, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with her cat, Finch!
Email: [email protected]
Ayla is originally from Sarasota, Florida, and has lived in West Virginia for over eight years. She is currently a sophomore at WVU majoring in Wildlife and Fisheries Resources and minoring in Biology and Environmental Change. Her interests include current ecological issues, human impacts on wildlife, and sustainability. In the lab, Ayla is helping with species vulnerability assessments that will be used to create a tool that measures vulnerability to climate change at a watershed level. Outside of school, Ayla enjoys drawing, spending time outdoors, and hanging out with her cat, Finch!
Email: [email protected]
Hannah Frye
Hannah Frye is a senior Wildlife and Fisheries (B.S.) major at WVU. Originally from Ohio, Hannah hopes to one day travel the United States working in Natural Resources. In the lab, Hannah is helping to process the data collected throughout the summer which include weighing and measuring fish, as well as sorting and identifying macroinvertebrates. Some of her interests include stream habitat assessments, water quality assessments, and working with fish. Outside of classes Hannah enjoys spending time outdoors through kayaking, hiking, and camping.
Email: [email protected]
Hannah Frye is a senior Wildlife and Fisheries (B.S.) major at WVU. Originally from Ohio, Hannah hopes to one day travel the United States working in Natural Resources. In the lab, Hannah is helping to process the data collected throughout the summer which include weighing and measuring fish, as well as sorting and identifying macroinvertebrates. Some of her interests include stream habitat assessments, water quality assessments, and working with fish. Outside of classes Hannah enjoys spending time outdoors through kayaking, hiking, and camping.
Email: [email protected]
Matthew Bane
Matthew is a senior Biology (B.S.) major at WVU. He hopes to pursue Medical School upon completing his degree. Matthew is interested in research in the Arantes lab, hence he is pursuing a project with the Arantes lab for his EXCEL project, with which he will graduate with the distinction of honors when graduating. Aside from education, Matthew is particularly interested in health and fitness, where he has earned his personal training certification and currently works at Orangetheory Fitness in Morgantown. Matthew is very energetic and loves to interact with other people.
Email: [email protected]
Matthew is a senior Biology (B.S.) major at WVU. He hopes to pursue Medical School upon completing his degree. Matthew is interested in research in the Arantes lab, hence he is pursuing a project with the Arantes lab for his EXCEL project, with which he will graduate with the distinction of honors when graduating. Aside from education, Matthew is particularly interested in health and fitness, where he has earned his personal training certification and currently works at Orangetheory Fitness in Morgantown. Matthew is very energetic and loves to interact with other people.
Email: [email protected]