Michael C. Quist
Current Graduate Students
Luke Anderson
Thesis title: Population structure, dynamics, and food habits of nonnative Northern Pike in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho
Undergraduate education: University of Maine (BS Wildlife Ecology-Fisheries Concentration, Marine Science, 2023)
email: lmanderson@uidaho.edu
Noah Frost
Thesis title: Distribution, abundance, and population characteristics of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout in the upper Blackfoot River system, Idaho
Undergraduate education: University of Maine (BS Wildlife Ecology-Fisheries Concentration, 2022)
email: nfrost@uidaho.edu
Darby McMartin
Thesis title: Population structure, dynamics, and abundance of Mountain Whitefish in Idaho stream and river systems
Undergraduate education: University of Wyoming (BS Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management, 2022)
email: dmcmartin@uidaho.edu
Ethan Orach
Thesis title: Management and conservation of Bear Lake Sculpin: sampling techniques, population ecology, and food web dynamics
Undergraduate education: University of Maine (BS Wildlife Ecology-Fisheries Concentration, 2021)
email: eorach@uidaho.edu
Past Graduate Students
Brianna DeCora
Thesis title: Rapid assessment methodology for zooplankton in Idaho: an evaluation of novel techniques for efficient long-term lake monitoring
Undergraduate education: University of Idaho (BS Fisheries Resources, 2020)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2026)
Current position: Idaho Department of Fish and Game
email: bfrazee@uidaho.edu
Nick Voss
Dissertation title: Nonnative Brook Trout as a threat to native Bull Trout in Idaho: patterns across space and time
Undergraduate education: University of Montana (BS Wildlife Biology-Aquatic Emphasis, 2016)
Graduate education: Montana State University (MS Fish and Wildlife Management, 2020); University of Idaho (PhD Natural Resources, 2025)
Current position: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Quist Lab, University of Idaho
email: nvoss@uidaho.edu
Courtnie Ghere
Thesis title: Population structure and movement dynamics of White Sturgeon and Redband Trout in the Kootenai River system
Undergraduate education: Montana State University (BS Ecology, 2017)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2024)
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
email: courtnie.ghere@idfg.idaho.gov
Bryce Marciniak
Thesis title: Food habits of Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, and Northern Pikeminnow in Lake Cascade, Idaho
Undergraduate education: Northern Michigan University (BS General Biology, 2020)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2024)
Current position: U.S. Postal Service
Sage Unsworth
Thesis title: Abundance, distribution, and outmigration characteristics of juvenile Bull Trout in the upper St. Joe River basin
Undergraduate education: Montana State University (BS Ecology, 2020)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2024)
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: sage.unsworth@idfg.idaho.gov
Donavan Maude
Thesis title: Evaluation of a harvest fishery for White Sturgeon in the upper Snake River, Idaho
Undergraduate education: College of Idaho (BS Biology and Environmental Studies, 2016)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2024)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: donavan.maude@idfg.idaho.gov
Susie Frawley
Thesis title: Seasonal food habits and growth of nonnative Walleyes in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho
Undergraduate education: Montana State University (BS Ecology, 2016)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2023)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: susie.frawley@idfg.idaho.gov
Will Lubenau
Thesis title: Encounter rates and catch-and-release mortality of wild steelhead in Idaho
Undergraduate education: New Mexico State University (BS Wildlife Science-Aquatic Ecology and Management Emphasis, 2017)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2022)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: will.lubenau@idfg.idaho.gov
Aaron Black
Thesis title: Evaluation of natural and hatchery-produced kokanee in Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Undergraduate education: University of Maine (BS Wildlife Ecology-Fisheries Concentration, 2016)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2021)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: aaron.black@idfg.idaho.gov
Darcy McCarrick
Thesis title: Biotic and abiotic factors influencing population dynamics of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Utah Chub in Henrys Lake, Idaho
Undergraduate education: Brigham Young University-Idaho (BS Plant and Wildlife Ecology, 2017)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2021)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: darcy.mccarrick@idfg.idaho.gov
Megan Heller
Thesis title: Production of wild Bonneville Cutthroat Trout in Bear Lake: evaluation of a harvest fishery
Undergraduate education: Boise State University (BS Biology, 2016)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2021)
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: megan.heller@idfg.idaho.gov
Zach Klein
Thesis title: Population ecology and suppression of Burbot in the Green River, Wyoming
Dissertation title: Managment of kokanee in Idaho lakes: sampling techniques, growth disparities, and Mysis-kokanee interactions
Undergraduate education: Eckerd College (BS Biology, 2008)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2015; PhD Natural Resources, 2019)
Current position: Associate Professor, New Mexico State University
Email: zklein@nmsu.edu
John Heckel
Thesis title: Life history characteristics, distribution, and habitat use of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the St. Maries River basin
Undergraduate education: University of Louisville (BA Liberal Studies, 2005); Oregon State University (BS Fish and Wildlife Science, 2015)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2019)
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: john.heckel@idfg.idaho.gov
Stacey Meyer (Feeken)
Thesis title: Distribution and movement of steelhead and anglers in the Clearwater River, Idaho
Undergraduate education: University of Washington (BS Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, 2013)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2019)
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: stacey.meyer@idfg.idaho.gov
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Tucker Brauer
Thesis title: Population structure and movement dynamics of Burbot in the upper Green River system
Undergraduate education: University of Idaho (BS Fisheries Resources, 2014)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2018)
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: tucker.brauer@idfg.idaho.gov
Shannon Blackburn
Thesis title: Population dynamics and management of White Sturgeon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River basin, California
Undergraduate education: Western Washington University (BS Environmental Science, 2008)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2018)
Current position: Regional Fisheries Manager, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Email: shannon.blackburn@mt.gov
Conor McClure
Thesis title: Population dynamics and movement of Smallmouth Bass in the Snake River, Idaho
Undergraduate education: Brigham Young University-Idaho (BS Ecology, Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries, 2015)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2018)
Initial employment: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Curtis Roth
Thesis title: Evaluating the effects of air exposure on salmonids
Undergraduate education: West Virginia University (BS Wildlife and Fisheries, 2012)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2018)
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Email: curtis_roth@fws.gov
Zach Beard
Thesis title: Survival, movement dynamics, distribution, and habitat and species associations of juvenile Burbot in a tributary of the Kootenai River
Undergraduate education: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (BS Fisheries, 2014)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2016)
Current position: Native Aquatics Program Manager, Arizona Game and Fish Department
Email: zbeard@azgfd.gov
Phil Branigan
Thesis title: Microhabitat use by native fishes in rehabilitated reaches of the Kootenai River, Idaho
Undergraduate education: University of Wyoming (BS Widlife and Fisheries Biology and Management, 2013)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2016)
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: phil.branigan@idfg.idaho.gov
Marika Dobos
Thesis title: Movement, distribution, and resource use of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the South Fork Clearwater River basin
Undergraduate education: Eastern Oregon University (BS Biology 2007)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2015)
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: marika.dobos@idfg.idaho.gov
Elizabeth Ng
Thesis title: Population dynamics and trophic ecology of nonnative Lake Trout in Priest Lake, Idaho
Undergraduate education: Pomona College (BA Biology, 2010)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2015)
Current position: Biometrician, Four Peaks Environmental
Email: eng@fourpeaksenv.com
Carson Watkins
Thesis title: Fish assemblage and population responses to habitat restoration of side channels in the Kootenai River
Undergraduate education: University of Wyoming (BS Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management, 2011)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2014)
Current position: Regional Supervisor, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
John Walrath
Thesis title: Population dynamics and trophic ecology of Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass in Coeur d'Alene Lake: implications for the conservation of Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Undergraduate education: University of Nebraska (BS Fisheries and Wildlife, 2010)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2013)
Current position: Regional Fisheries Manager, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Email: john.walrath@wyo.gov
Chris Smith
Thesis title: Assessment of sampling techniques and fish assemblage structure in large western river systems
Undergraduate education: Iowa State University (BS Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2011)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2013)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Steve Whitlock
Thesis title: Kokanee spawning ecology and recruitment response to water level management in Lake Pend Oreille
Undergraduate education: Northland College (BS Biology, 2010)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2013)
Current position: Research Scientist, University of Washington
Email: swhit@uw.edu
Josh McCormick
Thesis title: Assessment of angler survey methods for managing Idaho's anadromous fisheries: angler survey design and the role of social desirability bias
Undergraduate education: Pennsylvania State University (BS Wildlife and Fisheries Science, 2003)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (MS Natural Resources, 2012)
Current position: Fisheries Biometrician, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Jesse Fischer
Dissertation title: Benchmarks of biological integrity for lake restoration success: fish assemblage composition and population dynamics in Iowa Lakes and impoundments
Undergraduate education: University of Nebraska (BS Fisheries and Wildlife, 2004)
Graduate education: Kansas State University (MS Biology, 2007); Iowa State Univeristy (PhD Fisheries Biology, 2012)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, US Geological Survey
Email: jessefischer@gmail.com
Tim Parks
Thesis title: Fish species of greatest conservation need in Iowa's nonwadeable rivers: distribution, relative abundance, and influences of potential movement barriers
Undergraduate education: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (BS Fisheries and Water Resources, 2008)
Graduate education: Iowa State Univeristy (MS Fisheries Biology, 2012)
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Email: timothy.parks@wisconsin.gov
Bryan Bakevich
Thesis title: Occurrence and abundance of Topeka Shiners and phenology of fish assemblages in off-channel habitats of streams in central Iowa
Undergraduate education: University of Montana (BS Wildlife Biology-Aquatic Emphasis, 2009)
Graduate education: Iowa State Univeristy (MS Fisheries Biology, 2012)
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Email: bryan.bakevich@state.nm.us
Maria Dzul
Thesis title: Population ecology and monitoring of the endangered Devils Hole Pupfish
Undergraduate education: University of Michigan (BS Biology, 2007)
Graduate education: Iowa State Univeristy (MS Fisheries Biology, 2012)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, US Geological Survey
Email: mdzul@usgs.gov
Tony Sindt
Thesis title: Iowa stream fish species of greatest conservation need: using Iowa GAP products to refine prioritization and guide assessment
Undergraduate education: Minnesota State University-Mankato (BS Ecology, 2008)
Graduate education: Iowa State Univeristy (MS Fisheries Biology, 2011)
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Email: anthony.sindt@state.mn.us
Travis Neebling
Thesis title: Fish assemblages in Iowa's non-wadeable rivers: relationships with habitat and sampling methods
Undergraduate education: Northland College (BS Natural Resources, Wildlife and Fish Ecology, 2006)
Graduate education: Iowa State Univeristy (MS Fisheries Biology, 2009)
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Email: travis.neebling@wyo.gov
Jeff Koch
Thesis title: Effects of commercial harvest on Shovelnose Sturgeon in the upper Mississippi River
Undergraduate education: University of Nebraska (BS Fisheries and Wildlife, 2003)
Graduate education: Iowa State Univeristy (MS Fisheries Biology, 2008)
Current position: Fisheries Research Supervisor, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism
Email: jeff.koch@ks.gov
Zac Jackson
Thesis title: Assessment of the interrelationships between fish population dynamics and limnological characteristics of Iowa Lakes
Undergraduate education: North Dakota State University (BS Natural Resource Management, BS Zoology, 2003)
Graduate education: Iowa State Univeristy (MS Fisheries Biology, 2007)
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Email: zachary_jackson@fws.gov
