Current and recent Graduate Students
Ricky Flamio is currently a Ph.D. student in the lab where he uses genomics to study hybridization in sturgeons. Prior to coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC), Ricky completed his master’s degree at Fordham University (Bronx, NY) where he used molecular and ecological techniques to 
study hybridization and isolating mechanisms between two native sunfish (genus Lepomis) species. Under the guidance of Dr. Ed Heist at SIUC, Ricky is currently using next-generation sequencing techniques in order to study hybridization between the federally endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) and the more common shovelnose sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus platorynchus) in the Missouri and Mississippi River Basins. The species are closely related and there is evidence of extensive hybridization, especially in the lower part of the species’ sympatric range. One of the conservation priorities for the pallid sturgeon is stocking of pure specimens, however, the current genetic markers used (19 microsatellites) do not provide the power needed to differentiate multigenerational backcrossed individuals and pure specimens. Ricky and Dr. Heist are working on developing hundreds to thousands of SNP markers that will be used to accomplish this goal. In his free time, Ricky likes to fly fish, scuba dive, and cook pasta.
Neotoma floridana illinoensis (Eastern Illinois Woodrat) is a state endangered species in Illinois. Previous reintroductions and genetic augmentations occurred during the first decade of this century throughout the Shawnee National Forest. Tiffanie Atherton, current PhD student, is using neutral microsatellite marker techniques to assess the past and current genetic structure of woodrats and provide vital information 
regarding the success of conservation efforts of this r-selective species. Few successful reintroductions regarding r-selective species have been documented and even fewer have assessed the genetic structure. Because woodrats are ‘mutually exclusive’, even healthy populations tend to maintain few (<20) individuals which increases the odds of inbreeding, genetic drift, and even extinction. The goal of conservation efforts was to minimize these effects by establishing a self-sustaining metapopulation throughout the Shawnee National Forest. Before attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Tiffanie received her bachelor’s degree in Wildlife and Conservation Biology and master’s degree in the Natural Sciences at Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, MO) where she studied stream composition of fishes in Southcentral Missouri. She has assisted in mussel surveys, swamp rabbit surveys, animal care of Southern Flying Squirrels and Sugar Gliders, and has served as a crew leader for multiple years at Trail of Tears State Park (Missouri Department of Natural Resources). When away from her studies, Tiffanie enjoys playing in the great outdoors while teaching her children about nature and eating steak.
Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) is the second largest catfish in North America reaching lengths of greater than 150 cm and weights over 55 kg. Flathead catfish is a popular sport fish in the midwest including the practice of 
“noodling” in which participants catch these large catfish with their bare hands. Little is known about population structure and genetics of these fish. Ph.D. student Aaron Krolow is investigating effective population size and conservation status of flathead catfish in Missouri reservoirs. This project, which is funded by the Missouri Department of Conservation will lead to better management and conservation of these charismatic catfish. Aaron earned his MS from Southeastern Louisiana University and his BS from Texas State University. Aaron enjoys fishing and college football.
For his MS thesis, Nolan Smith (MS 2020) studied heat stress among Scaphirhynchus sturgeon, and how differences may be influenced by family and level of domestication. By using quantitative real
time PCR (qPCR) to continue our lab’s inquiry on this topic, we can better understand these influencing factors, and possibly recommend management actions aiding in the conservation of Scaphirhynchus sturgeon across their historic range.
One of the most significant ecological change to occur in the Mississippi River
Drainage in the past few decades is the explosive growth of exotic and invasive Bighead and Silver Carp, which went from non-existent in the last quarter of the 20th century to the majority of fish biomass in some rivers today. One way that invasive species spread to new habitats faster than they can adapt through natural selection on DNA sequences is by epigenetic alteration of gene expression. For her MS thesis, Erica Krahl (MS 2020) examined differences in epigenetic patterns of bighead and silver carp collected from their native range in China and from recently established invasive populations in the Illinois River, where exotic Asian carp now comprise the majority of fish biomass.
Paddlefish are perhaps the only living species of the Polyodontidae, an ancient and charismatic lineage of fishes. Paddlefish and are endemic to slower portions of large rivers of the mid-western US. Their native range has been fractured through the construction of dams and reservoirs, and while they are numerous in the center of their
range, they are largely extirpated from the periphery. While paddlefish can grow in reservoirs, they need running water and a hard bottom to spawn. Past management practices have included stocking of hatchery-reared paddlefish from distant locations and likely the use of stocked paddlefish from reservoirs to restock the same reservoir. These practices can lead to outbreeding depression as Paddlefish are stocked into maladaptive environments and to inbreeding depression as when closely-related fish are crossed in a hatchery. Allsion Asher (Ph.D. 2019) is studied genetic diversity of Paddlefish among populations and genetic variation within populations, including those in stocked reservoirs. Allison earned her Ph.D. in 2019 and is currently working for Arkansas Game and Fish.