Andrew Copsey Email & Phone Number

Redmond, Oregon, United States

Water Resources Division

Corvallis, Oregon, United States

Conducted stream ecology field work for a study assessing the effects of alternative riparian buffers on small streams in the Oregon Coast Range. Played key role in coordination of schedules, equipment, and logistics for summer field work tasks for four undergraduate technicians. Collaborated with another crew lead to complete monitoring at 23 streams. Implemented standardized protocols to collect samples for water quality, macroinvertebrates, periphyton, and measure stream habitat. Led aquatic vertebrate sampling using backpack electrofishing, and anesthetized and measured fish and amphibians. Deployed and maintained continuous monitoring probes for environmental data collection (i.e. dissolved oxygen, temp, light). Developed an independent research project from macroinvertebrate data to assess how light impacts species assemblages and presented findings at the Oregon Chapter of the American Fisheries Society.

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

Performed routine water quality monitoring and assessment of waterways for the Watershed Planning and Monitoring Program’s regulatory purposes in Georgia. Routinely configured and deployed water quality probes, measured discharge, performed biological monitoring and assessment (macroinvertebrates/periphyton), and planned, surveyed, and selected sites for annual assessment of physical, chemical, and biological parameters. Participated in 2018/19 EPA National Aquatic Resource Survey collected field data according to EPA’s protocols for National Rivers and Streams Assessment of boatable and wadable rivers in Georgia. On this project I oversaw collection of macroinvertebrates and periphyton and measured and assessed physical habitat characteristics (i.e., slope, sinuosity, discharge, stream bank measurement, etc.). During position in Mountain District Offices I effectively trained 2 new technicians and 1 junior specialist to properly conduct monitoring duties following protocols. Provided daily supervision of 2 Environmental Technicians and organized and oversaw special projects. Developed new protocol to monitor and assess fecal coliform levels in sediment, surveyed and established sites to be included in targeted study of sedimentary bacteria, conducted land use analysis and delineation using ArcGIS Pro, and ensured state-wide project coordination. Cataloged and managed various forms of data, performed quality control on data, and used data to identify potential water quality issues for 305(b)/303(d) sections of the Clean Water Act. Calibrated and maintained equipment and instruments and maintained supply of lab and field materials for monitoring.

Knoxville, Tennessee, United States

Conducted freshwater microbial ecology field and lab work for a study of the mechanisms microbial communities use in nutrient cycling in freshwater ponds, reservoirs, and rivers in East Tennessee. While working on a microbial extracellular enzymes project, conducted research in geology/environmental microbiology lab. Collaborated with graduate student to plan field work logistics, locate and sample 27 sites, perform assays and microscopy of freshwater and sedimentary microbes in lab. Recorded and entered data into database and analyzed data using R studio. Developed independent research project to investigate how water quality parameters affect extracellular enzyme activity of microbes in freshwater ecosystems and presented findings at University of Tennessee- Knoxville Undergraduate Research Symposium.

Hickory Corners, Michigan, United States

Worked on aquatic ecology study investigating carbon cycling in shallow water sediments and the effects of environmental conditions on decomposition rates in lakes, streams, and wetlands of southwestern Michigan. While working on biogeochemical cycling in freshwater sediment project, collected and processed water quality data, collected GPS data and environmental samples (groundwater, sediment cores, sedimentary gases, periphyton, macroinvertebrates). Conducted taxonomic identification of plants, invertebrates, and algae to genus/species level using dichotomous keys. Planned, conducted, and completed small scale research project focused on using freshwater macroinvertebrate communities in shallow freshwater systems as bioindicators and presented findings at Kellogg Biological Station Undergraduate Symposium.

Bachelor'S Degree, Ecological Engineering, 3.9

Focus on aquatic systems and watershed management/modelling

Bachelor'S Degree, Ecology And Evolutionary Biology, 3.4

Focus on aquatic ecology, environmental science and sustainability