My research interest covers a comprehensive array of topics pertaining to the biology of fishes with an emphasis on the biology of American eels. The American eel is found in every aquatic habitat type in eastern North America. It has a long and complex life history that provides an interesting model for studying life history strategies, sex determination, pollution effects, and other ecologically important issues. Current eel projects in my laboratory include: examinations of the distribution and physiological effects of the recently introduced swimbladder parasite, Changes in the digestive system during the adult metamorphosis, sex determination, effects of contaminants on gametogenesis, and the development of artificial fertilization methods (in collaboration with Dr. Whitney Hable's laboratory). In addition, my graduate students have often provided inspiration for research on other species and numerous non-eel projects have been and continue to be developed in my laboratory.
