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.
Cassandra Silverio
Aquatic Invasive Species Specialist
Topics: General Inquiries
British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Located In: Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
236- 478-1418
The B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service operate the Invasive Mussel Defense Program with the goal of preventing the introduction of zebra and quagga mussels into B.C, through watercraft inspections, lake monitoring and education.
The B.C. Inter-Ministry Invasive Species Working Group provides policy direction, coordination and collaborative delivery of provincial invasive species programs for the Province of B.C.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/plants-animals-ecosystems/invasive-species/imiswg
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.
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.
Astrid Schwalb
Texas State University
Topics: Dispersal Mechanisms, Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Modeling
Located In: San Marcos, TX, USA
Primary focus on Lake Belton, Leon River, Lampasas River, Little River, Stillhouse Hollow Lake, Canyon Lake, and Guadalupe River, Texas
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
Primary focus on Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, St. Croix River, Mississippi River, and the Missouri River
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.
Chris Steffen
Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism
Topics: Detection Methods (Including molecular and genetic), Dreissenid Biology and Life History
Located In: Topeka, KS, USA
Primary focus on Kansas reservoirs and small impoundments
Christine Mayer
University of Toledo
Topics: Ecosystem Impacts- Habitat and Native Species
Located In: Toledo, OH, USA
Primary focus on Oneida Lake and Lake Erie
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.
Dan Molloy
State University of New York Great Lakes Center at Buffalo
Topics: Dreissenid Biology and Life History, Management/Control Tools - Development and Assessment, Natural enemies of dreissenids (predators, parasites and ecological competitors)
Located In: Buffalo, NY, USA