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Bried lab
wetlands | odonates | insect conservation | applied plant ecology | community ecology
L to R: Nathan Solano, Rohini Vembar, Jason Bried, Matt Finzel, Aiden Garrett, Uriah Elliott
June 2023
Current members
Aidan Garrett, M.S. Entomology, University of Illinois (2023-)
Aidan is studying bumblebee survey methods with a focus on taxonomic surrogate detection of the endangered rusty-patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis)
Rohini Vembar, M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois (2022-)
Rohini is using her background in environmental management and consulting to develop an Illinois wetland rapid assessment method and Midwest climate-focused wetland prioritization
Matt Finzel, M.S. Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois (2022-)
Matt is using their deep interest in field botany to evaluate taxonomic shortcuts (indicator species, dominant species, familiar species) in wetland floristic quality assessments
Former members
Uriah Elliott and Nathan Solano, Summer Research Opportunities Program, University of Illinois (2023)
Uriah began a pond metacommunity study and Nathan worked on a nature preserve ranking for pollinators. They presented posters at the Illinois Summer Research Symposium.
Wade Boys, M.S. Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas (2017-19)
Wade conducted extensive field surveys and niche modelling for two rare stream dragonflies endemic to the Ozark-Ouachita mountain region. He summarized this work in Insect Conservation and Diversity. Wade is now a PhD student studying the role of phenotypic plasticity in shaping species distributions.
Tommi Fouts, M.S. Natural Sciences, Northeastern State University (2016-19)
Tommi explored the wetland plant communities of Oklahoma, broadly asking whether floristic quality indicator species may exist for wetlands. She helped with field surveys, plant IDs, and especially the analyses that appear in Wetlands and Conservation Science and Practice. Tommi now works as a Public Health Specialist for the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
Stacey Murray, B.S. Environmental Health and Safety Management, Northeastern State University (2016-17)
Stacey used an outdoor mesocosm experiment to study interactions of vegetation structure and dragonfly emergence. She presented for an undergrad research symposium and published in the International Journal of Odonatology. Stacey went on to become an environmental health and safety intern, supervisor, and (now) manager at Webco Industries.
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