Our Researchers

planning for the future through research

National Great Rivers strives to build and disseminate a corpus of research expertise that contributes to sound river management and the continuing sustainability of healthy and productive great river systems. Our research staff are experts in various disciplines; in addition, we fund a faculty fellows program and have joint appointments with researchers at other universities and agencies.

Our Scientists

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Dr. Ethan Kessler
Dr.Ethan Kessler

Research Analyst

Much of my research is rooted in marrying quantitative analyses and intensively sampled ecological data sets to develop actionable insights into wildlife conservation in Illinois and beyond. Often, this work is rooted in a spatial context to maximize the abundance of freely available, high-quality geospatial data and the capabilities of modern computing power. Wetland ecology is a primary focus, with special attention paid to remote sensing and amphibian conservation. Alongside colleagues in the Wetlands Collaborative at NGRREC and collaborators at the Illinois Natural History Survey at the Prairie Research Institute, we have been developing and implementing lidar-based methods to detect forested ephemeral wetlands, resources which largely go overlooked in modern wetland mapping efforts. Through this work, we have created maps of wetland resources throughout southern Illinois, as well as an instructional manual that provides step-by-step methods for using freely available lidar data and open-source software to create maps of ephemeral wetlands. Another focus has been assisting the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in addressing the goals of the Illinois Wildlife Action Plan, particularly in support of the conservation of listed reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrate species. These projects have involved broad-scale surveys, population studies, species distribution modeling, and radio telemetry to improve knowledge of listed species in the state. I also work with colleagues at NGRREC, Ohio State University, and Loyola University Chicago on a long-term project monitoring the distribution and demography of terrestrial salamanders in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a global hotspot of salamander biodiversity.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=N5aeS0gAAAAJ&hl=en
B.S., University of Illinois; Ph.D., University of Illinois; Post-Doc, University of Illinois

Joint Appointments and Faculty Fellows

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Post Doctoral Associates

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Research Specialists

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Traci Paslay
Traci Paslay

Laboratory Technician

As the NGRREC Laboratory Technician, I am responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (ECL) at the National Great Rivers Research & Education Center. My primary duties include analyzing water, sediment, soil, and plant samples for NGRREC scientists and their collaborators. I ensure that our laboratory adheres to stringent Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) practices, guaranteeing that all samples are analyzed promptly with precise and accurate results. In my role, I work extensively with advanced analytical instruments, including spectrophotometry (Discrete Analyzer), carbon and nitrogen combustion analyzers, and pH and conductivity meters. Additionally, I prepare samples for gas chromatography mass spectrometry and conduct various lab procedures and experiments. Beyond my technical responsibilities, I provide technical guidance and assistance to NGRREC interns and graduate students, fostering their development and ensuring the smooth operation of the lab. I am also tasked with assembling, maintaining, and operating the lab equipment, managing inventory, and ordering supplies. My commitment to safety is reflected in my adherence to SDS and OSHA regulations, ensuring a safe working environment for all lab personnel.
Email: tpaslay@lc.edu
A.A.S. Biological Laboratory Technician Certification, Lewis and Clark Community College; B.S. Biological Sciences: Integrative Biology, minor in Chemistry, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Melissa Schindler
Melissa Schindler

Research Specialist

As a Research Specialist, I provide NGRREC with both lab and field support for several research projects. I lead field surveys for the State Threatened Bird-voiced Treefrog (Hyla avivoca) within state and federally-protected swamps in Southern Illinois. I help manage the Dell Ecology Lab and collaborate on research within the lab that includes the behavioral and physiological effects of microplastics on freshwater organisms. In addition, I assist with monitoring water quality through the Great Rivers Ecological Observatory Network and also serve as a co-advisor/support for interns whose projects include local acoustic monitoring of Eastern Whip-poor-wills, Effect of chloride & leaf litter on development & survival of Wood Frogs (Lithobates slyvaticus); effect of various mosquitofish densities on development and survival of Gray Treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis/versicolor); microplastic loads within wild fish in Illinois; physiological and behavioral effects of microplastics exposure on various fish species. I previously worked for the USDA Forest Service in the Sierra Nevada mountains leading a research team to collect data on the federally threatened Yosemite Toad and its habitat. My undergraduate and graduate research included lichen as bioindicators, herpetofaunal communities among upland and bottomland forests, and Anuran assemblages within the lower Missouri River Floodplain. I enjoy volunteering time to community science projects, notably Illinois Riverwatch and FrogWatch USA and love meeting new people and exploring cities and wild spaces.
Email: mschindler@lc.edu
B.S. Wildlife & Natural Resources Conservation, University of Central Missouri; M.S. Wildlife Ecology, University of Central Missouri
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