Students

James Sturges

James is a fourth year PhD student in the Coastal Fisheries Research Lab advised by Dr. Jennifer Rehage. James’ dissertation work broadly focuses on aquatic food web dynamics on an ecosystem scale. He is interested in niche partitioning, multichannel energy pathway coupling in food webs, and ecosystem trajectories under shifting climatic conditions. Prior to moving to Florida James completed his B.S. degree at the University of Southern California and his M.S. at California State Polytechnique University, Pomona where he used stereo-video cameras to study fine-scale fish habitat use patterns on artificial reefs. James is passionate about promoting cross-site synthesis with other working groups and LTER sites, and hopes to promote better data management by making analytic resources available to students in the LTER network.

Katie Johnson

I am a fourth year PhD student in Dr. Evelyn Gaiser’s Aquatic Ecology Lab. My research interests include studying the co-variation of cyanobacteria and diatoms in benthic mat-forming communities in relation to nutrient ratios and other abiotic factors throughout the Everglades with a focus on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) sites. I am fascinated by the role that these biological indicators play within the periphyton mat community as well as their ability to adapt to nutrient limited environments. My research interests also include diatom taxonomy and diatom species concepts, the drivers of diatom morphological plasticity, and making information about diatoms publicly accessible. I am currently developing and overseeing the diatom herbarium at the International Center for Tropical Botany to make Everglades diatoms accessible to visiting researchers and the public. As Vice President of the FCE Student Group E-Board I hope to continue the legacy of fostering a sense of community that brings students working on LTER projects together. I believe the best and most fun way to do this is by sharing experiences out in nature, collaborating in workshops, and socializing over good food!

I am a second-year PhD student in Dr. Evelyn Gaiser’s Aquatic Ecology laboratory. I am interested in incorporating long-term ecological monitoring with paleo-ecological records to inform restoration management decisions. My research focuses on the responses of diatoms to gradients of phosphorus and hydrology, and how their records in sediment cores can be used to infer historic, centennial scale ecosystem changes. I am passionate about involving the broader public in science and engaging them in conservation efforts. As part of the FCE Student Group e-Board, I hope to help foster a sense of community and belonging for all.

I am a second-year Ph.D. student in Dr. Evelyn Gaiser’s Aquatic Ecology Lab. My research interests focus on freshwater zooplankton ecology and diatom communities. I am particularly interested in how phosphorus enrichment affects ecosystem functions and influences freshwater communities within the Greater Everglades.

I am a first-year PhD student in the Coastal Fisheries Research Lab advised by Dr. Jennifer Rehage. I’m broadly interested in fisheries ecology, particularly fish movement and how it relates to the population dynamics of recreational fisheries. I received my B.S. in Natural Resources Conservation from the University of Florida, where I worked on several projects focused on invasive species management in the Everglades and used citizen science to inform restoration efforts in a water management area to enhance trophy fisheries. I completed my M.S. in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences at Auburn University, where my thesis aimed to link the reproductive success of several warmwater fishes and the environmental conditions affected by hydropower operations in southeastern Alabama. I look forward to being part of the FCE Student Group and working with our members to create a space for everyone to feel welcomed, share ideas, and to collaborate with each other.

Dr. Kominoski is the lead principal investigator of the FCE LTER program and the faculty advisor for FCE LTER Graduate Student Group. He has been mentoring FCE LTER graduate students since joining the FCE LTER program in 2012.