Current Lab Members

Ryan Shartau
I completed my PhD at the University of British Columbia under the supervision of Dr. Colin Brauner where I investigated how vertebrates tolerate the very high CO2 levels (e.g. >30,000 uatm; 3 kPa CO2) found in many environments such as tropical freshwaters, aquaculture, and nests of reptiles.

Following my PhD, I worked at Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) at the Pacific Biological Station as a postdoctoral Research Scientist with Dr. Stewart Johnson investigating the impact of toxins produced by blue-green algae (cyanotoxins) on salmon physiology, and the presence of algal toxins in the marine water of southern British Columbia. After the DFO, I completed a short postdoc as a Mitacs Elevate Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Prince Edward Island to identify biomarkers of algal toxicity in salmon. During my postdoctoral work I collaborated with Dr. Dan Baker at Vancouver Island University on white sturgeon physiology.

​Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Texas at Tyler.
Trent Furr
​Investigating the impact of dissolved gas supersaturation on neonate salamanders.
Adrian Alvarez
In 2023, I earned my BS in Wildlife Biology from Texas State University. In undergrad, I was President of the Student Chapter of the Wildlife Society for a semester. In this role, I established a partnership with Delta Waterfowl University to promote waterfowl conservation and ethical hunting practices through practical field experiences.
Here at UT Tyler's master program, I am researching the status of crayfish species in Texas. This research will be conducted using a combination of museum vouchers, literature surveys, and some field work.

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Andy Walker
I completed my BS in Environment and Natural Resources at The University of Wyoming in 2020.
My master's program at UT Tyler will be a physiology study on the environmental tolerances of 3 species of crayfish endemic to Southeast Texas. The results of this study will help to inform future management decisions as the environment and climate change."

Lab Alumni - Graduate Students

Dillon Flowers - M.S. 2024
Thesis: Investigating the cellular mechanisms of intracellular pH regulation during exposure to high CO2
Current position: PhD student at Oklahoma State University
Brandon Ellingson - M.S. 2023
Thesis: Identification of biomarkers of sub-lethal algal toxin exposure in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) and Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) using differential gene expression analysis
Current position: Contractor for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Lab Alumni - Undergraduate Students​

  • 2024: Allison B. - Environmental monitoring of an East Texas lake
  • 2023: Angela M. - Literature review on fish acid-base physiology
  • 2023: Michael D.  - Algal toxins in Texas wetlands
  • 2022: Lauren F.  - Literature review on sturgeon physiology
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