Find An Expert
Looking for answers to your mussel questions? Interested in funding opportunities and compliance requirements for research? Want more information about management and control of mussels? We have a variety of experts within the Invasive Mussel Collaborative ready to answer whatever questions you may have! Click through below to see our contacts by location and expertise. If you are an expert and would like to be added to our list, please let us know!
*Note: This expert list is best viewed using the browser Google Chrome.*
Minnesota Northwest Region - Fergus Falls
Mark Ranweiler, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Report a Sighting
Located In: Fergus Falls, MN, USA
218-616-2117
Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about the geographic scope of each administrative region.
Minnesota Northwest Region - Park Rapids
Gina Kemper, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Report a Sighting
Located In: Park Rapids, MN, USA
218-537-6100
Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about the geographic scope of each administrative region.
Minnesota Southern Region - Hutchinson
Eric Katzenmeyer, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Report a Sighting
Located In: Hutchinson, MN, USA
320-753-0334
Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about the geographic scope of each administrative region.
Minnesota Southern Region - Mankato
Jefferey Flory, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Topics: Report a Sighting
Located In: Mankato, MN, USA
507-910-9801
Visit the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources website to learn more about the geographic scope of each administrative region.
Adam Sepulveda
U.S. Geological Survey
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic)
Located In: Bozeman, MT, USA
Adam is focused on eDNA early detection & monitoring / risk assessment.
Alexander Karatayev
SUNY Buffalo State University
Topics: Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Monitoring, Surveillance, and Sampling
Located In: Buffalo, NY, USA
(716) 878-4329
Alexander's research interests include ecology, biology, patterns of spread of exotic species and their role in aquatic ecosystems, and biodiversity, conservation and management of freshwater ecosystems.
Anthony Vitale
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Topics: Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Monitoring, Surveillance, and Sampling, Prevention
Located In: Munising, MI, USA
Anthony's primary focus is on early detection methods, veliger identification, and the development of rapid response strategies for invasive mussels.
Ashley Elgin
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Topics: Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species
Located In: Muskegon, MI, USA
Ashley's research program focuses on surveying dreissenid mussel populations, conducting field and lab experiments to advance our understanding about dreissenid mussel biology, and investigating the use of underwater vehicles for dreissenid mussel control and monitoring.
Bing Smith
MusselWise
Topics: Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species
Located In: California, USA
Bing works for MusselWise which is a media outlet that aggregates and posts to its FaceBook page news items and current events relating to the spread of invasive Quagga and Zebra mussels throughout the United States and Canada.
Brenda Lafrancois
National Park Service
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic), Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Ecosystem Impacts- Nutrients, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment
Located In: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Maple City, MI, USA
Brenda's primary focus is on providing assistance with invasive mussel prevention, early detection, and control in Great Lakes national parks. Special focal areas include scuba-supported early detection work for emerging populations in Lake Superior, and testing of control methods for infested reef habitats in Lake Michigan.
Chris Mayer
University of Toledo
Topics: Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species
Located In: Toledo, OH, USA
Chris' primary focus on fish and invertebrate ecology, aquatic habitats, and invasive species in Oneida Lake and Lake Erie.
Chris Merkes
U.S. Geological Survey
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic), Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment
Located In: La Crosse, WI, USA
Chris' primary focus is on the research and development of genetic control methods and expanding the practical capability of environmental DNA monitoring.
Christopher Churchill
U.S. Geological Survey
Topics: Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Monitoring, Surveillance, and Sampling
Located In: La Crosse, WI, USA
Christopher's focus is on population ecology, early detection/rapid response, monitoring, and ecological impacts of dreissenids.
Daniel James
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Topics: Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment, Monitoring, Surveillance, and Sampling
Located In: Pierre, SD, USA
Daniel's primary focus is monitoring of zebra mussels.
Daryl Gohl
University of Minnesota Genomics Center
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic), Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment
Located In: St. Paul, MN, USA
Daryl's team uses genomics and gene editing technologies to develop novel genetic biocontrol tools and to study the source water bodies and routes of spread of zebra mussels.
David Hammond
Earth Science Labs, Inc.
Topics: General Inquiries, Impacts to Infrastructure, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment
Located In: San Francisco, CA, USA
510 289-3310
Primary focus on controlling invasive mussels to prevent biofouling of infrastructure in lakes or utilities, and on eradicating Dreissenids from water bodies without causing harm to non-target species.