Rebecca Hale, Senior Research Ecologist
I'm an ecosystem ecologist who works at the interface of biogeochemistry, hydrology, and society. In addition to traditional ecological methods, I adapt concepts and tools from geography, sociology, and history to ask fundamental ecosystem ecology questions in non-traditional settings. I work within and across cities and rural areas, at local to regional scales. |
Current Lab Members
Shuo Chen, Postdoctoral Researcher
Shuo is an NSF-funded postdoctoral fellow on a collaborative project that investigates the urbanization effects on dissolved organic carbon in the United States. Shuo earned her Bachelor of Science in Marine Chemistry from the Ocean University of China in 2014. In 2021,
Shuo graduated from the University of Alabama, where she completed her Ph.D. in Geological Sciences in the lab of Dr. Yuehan Lu. Her dissertation research focused on the fluvial dissolved organic matter (DOM) in response to anthropogenic and hydroclimatic divers in subtropical stream network. Her study interests include (1) evaluating the effects of human activities (e.g., urban and agricultural land use) and extreme climate and weather events on watershed biogeochemistry, especially the quality and quantity of DOM and dissolved nutrients mobilized from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems; (2) understanding the processes controlling lotic carbon temporal and spatial variability by metadata analysis of high-frequency fluorescent DOM (fDOM) data; and (3) assessing stream metabolism changes in response to the biophysical drivers across various climatic regimes. Google Scholar Email: [email protected] |
Annika Quick, Postdoctoral Researcher
I earned a PhD in Geoscience from Boise State University, where I was a student of Dr. Shawn Benner. I conducted column and large-scale flume experiments to study the biogeochemical cycling of nitrogen in the hyporheic zones of streams. Specifically, I was examining how streambed geomorphology, fluvial dynamics, and exogenous loading of nitrate contribute to the production of nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas. I am currently working with Dr. Rebecca Hale and the Carbon in Urban River Biogeochemistry (CURB) group to study carbon dynamics across several urban watersheds. My research incorporates synoptic sampling, continuous sensor data, and spatial infrastructure and geographical data to examine the impact of human development on carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorous cycling in urban stream and rivers. I also hold BS and MS degrees in Geology from Brigham Young University. For my MS thesis, I focused on glacial dynamics and geochemistry of the Gornergletscher system in Switzerland.
My additional interests include science education, outreach, and citizen science. I’ve enjoyed time as a college instructor, watershed educator, resource management park ranger, and five years as a Preceptor (academic faculty) in the Earth and Planetary Sciences department at Harvard University. Google Scholar Research Gate |
Andrew Blinn, PhD Student
Andrew started his PhD program in Fall 2021 as part of an NSF-funded research project focused on carbon dynamics and ecosystem function in urban streams. His research interests include understanding drivers of ecosystem function and sources of heterogeneity in function rates across diverse stream ecosystems. He is particularly interested in the role changes in stream flow and water chemistry disturb or alter stream metabolism in urban streams. Stream ecology played a large role in developing his passion for ecological sciences and he hopes to foster the passion of future scientists through education. He also plans to pursue a minor in Biology Education in preparation of a career in teaching ecology at the university level.
Prior to coming to ISU, Andrew attended Kent State University to earn a M.S. in Biological Sciences (expected Spring 2022). He has spent two years as an interpretive park ranger and naturalist for Maryland and Delaware State Parks where he developed stream monitoring programs in parks that serve to inform natural resource managers and introduce the public to exciting research methods in ecology. Andrew earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences from Penn State University in 2016 where he collaborated with Dr. Tomas Carlo on a survey of red-footed booby on Mona Island, Puerto Rico. He also served as an undergraduate technician for Christian John, current PhD candidate at UC Davis monitoring caribou migration and artic plant phenology in context of climate change in Greenland. Outside academia, Andrew enjoys hiking and climbing in the beautiful natural areas of southeastern Idaho and serving youth through the Boy Scouts of America program. |
Kevin Gauthier, MS Student
I completed my B.S. in Environmental Sciences at the University of Wisconsin. During my time at Wisconsin I was involved in diverse limnological research as part of Dr. Emily Stanley’s lab. I worked on natural and experimental lakes, agricultural and urban streams, and wetlands. Environmental sensing coupled with lab analysis of field samples was crucial to my work as an undergraduate. I am excited to continue to use these methods to investigate patterns and processes that occur within and between aquatic ecosystems and how they change over time and in response to human-induced change. My research at Idaho State University will focus on the ecology and biogeochemistry of streams in and around Pocatello, ID.
Born and raised in northern Wisconsin, I have been immersed in the outdoors and water resources all my life. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, fishing, traveling, camping, and playing sports. Personal Website: gauthierkevin.weebly.com |
Justin Miller, MS Student
I graduated with a BS in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from University of Minnesota. During my time at UMN, I primarily worked in Dr. Jacques Finlay’s lab, where I assisted with a variety of limnological research. I primarily worked in the lab processing field samples and conducting a variety of assays and analyses, and I also assisted in the field with work on urban stormwater ponds. In addition to my environmental background, I have spent years volunteering as a
mental health advocate, where I have taught kids how to improve their executive function skills. My current research is focused on analyzing how stream drying affects biogeochemical cycling in Gibson Jack Creek. Growing up outside of Chicago and living in Minneapolis for several years has taught me the importance of community access and engagement with the outdoors, so I am always looking for opportunities to collaborate with members of the Pocatello community. |
Riley Lanfear, MS Student
I grew up in Highland, Michigan and earned my B.S. in Environmental Science at Central Michigan University, with minors in Biology and Spanish. My coursework at CMU gave me an interdisciplinary perspective on biogeochemical cycling, hydrology, and ecology. At CMU I worked in Dr. Donald Uzarski’s wetland ecology lab, which sparked my interest in aquatic ecology. After I graduated, I assessed soil and vegetation across Utah as a field ecologist and then analyzed water quality on Lake Erie at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve. I was excited to move west again to pursue my MS in Biology in Dr. Hale’s lab. I work on the AIMS project, which stands for Aquatic Intermittency effects on Microbiomes in Streams, and we’re interested in how stream drying affects water quality. My research at ISU is focused on how intermittency (periods of no flow) affects greenhouse gas emissions from Gibson Jack Creek.
I love spending time outdoors both for work and for fun! In Pocatello I’ve had the opportunity to rock climb, ski, and hike. I also love painting and trying new crafts. I’m excited to join a community of scientists passionate about understanding and protecting the world around us. |
Brittany Folk, Post-Baccalaureate Scholar
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Tiffaney Jeske, Undergraduate researcher
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Isreal Martinez, Undergraduate researcher
Former Students
Sarah Stalder, MS. Thesis: Longitudinal heterogeneity in reach-scale metabolism in a semi-arid agricultural stream in southeast Idaho
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Sophie Hill, DA
Dissertation: Using local contexts to learn and teach urban biogeochemical cycling |
Undergraduate Researchers
Tiffaney Jeske, Idaho State University, Undergraduate Researcher, 2021-
Isreal Martinez, Idaho State University, Undergraduate Researcher, 2021-
Adrian Chavez, University of Idaho, SARE Research Intern, Summer 2021
Dane Buck, Idaho State University, Career Path Intern, 2020-2021
Ryan Nielson, Idaho State University, Career Path Intern, 2019-2020
Brittany Folk, Idaho State University, Career Path Intern, 2019-2021
Cody Durfee, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, Summer 2017
Katlyn Gonzalez, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, Summer 2017
James Guthrie, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, Summer 2017
Kyndra Hawkes, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, 2016-2018
Gibril Omar, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, 2015-2017
Cesar Resendiz, University of Idaho, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, Summer 2016
Zach Fishburn, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, 2016-2017
Tiffaney Jeske, Idaho State University, Undergraduate Researcher, 2021-
Isreal Martinez, Idaho State University, Undergraduate Researcher, 2021-
Adrian Chavez, University of Idaho, SARE Research Intern, Summer 2021
Dane Buck, Idaho State University, Career Path Intern, 2020-2021
Ryan Nielson, Idaho State University, Career Path Intern, 2019-2020
Brittany Folk, Idaho State University, Career Path Intern, 2019-2021
Cody Durfee, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, Summer 2017
Katlyn Gonzalez, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, Summer 2017
James Guthrie, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, Summer 2017
Kyndra Hawkes, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, 2016-2018
Gibril Omar, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, 2015-2017
Cesar Resendiz, University of Idaho, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, Summer 2016
Zach Fishburn, Idaho State University, MILES Undergraduate Research Intern, 2016-2017