Christopher Groff Email & Phone Number

Corpus Christi, Tx, Us

Corpus Christi, Texas Area

Hogan Fish Conservation Lab, Dept. of Life SciencesMajor Project: Texas coastal stream ecosystem responses to a major precipitation gradient (Funding: National Science Foundation). Major duties/activities: My role in this project mainly involves sampling fish communities in nine streams along the Texas coastal plain (via electrofishing) and assessing functional trait-based diversity through several metrics, food web structure via stable isotope analysis, and consumer pressure… Show more Hogan Fish Conservation Lab, Dept. of Life SciencesMajor Project: Texas coastal stream ecosystem responses to a major precipitation gradient (Funding: National Science Foundation). Major duties/activities: My role in this project mainly involves sampling fish communities in nine streams along the Texas coastal plain (via electrofishing) and assessing functional trait-based diversity through several metrics, food web structure via stable isotope analysis, and consumer pressure through predation assays. Ultimately, these data will be analyzed against several environmental variables, chiefly mean annual rainfall, which differs substantially across the sampling region from semi-arid to mesic. In addition to fish community-related work, I also assist with collections of environmental and hydrological data, macroinvertebrate communities, and mesocosm experiment construction, deployment, and retrieval, as well as species identification and other data analysis. Show less

Corpus Christi, Texas Area

Volunteer in Dr. Chris Patrick lab; assisting in field collections in South Texas coastal streams, lab sample processing, 2019 MarineGEO Texas Bio Blitz (logistics, field collection, lab sample processing, data entry)

Corpus Christi, Texas Area

Major projects: Assessing oyster reef community structure on sub-tidal vs intertidal natural and restored reefs in Saint Charles Bay, TX, citing ecological functionality of specific habitats as a guide for maximizing efficiency in conservation/restoration efforts (Funding: Texas Sea Grant),Assessing long-term oyster reef resiliency based on salinity and temperature tolerances of Eastern oyster strains from Texas and Louisiana coastal bays in response to projected increases in climate… Show more Major projects: Assessing oyster reef community structure on sub-tidal vs intertidal natural and restored reefs in Saint Charles Bay, TX, citing ecological functionality of specific habitats as a guide for maximizing efficiency in conservation/restoration efforts (Funding: Texas Sea Grant),Assessing long-term oyster reef resiliency based on salinity and temperature tolerances of Eastern oyster strains from Texas and Louisiana coastal bays in response to projected increases in climate changerelated disturbances (Funding: National Science Foundation), Assessing dredge sampling efficiency by comparison with diver-employed quadrat sampling of oyster reefs in south Texas bays (Funding: Texas General Land Office Coastal Management Program)Major duties/activities: Planning, coordinating, and executing field sampling activities for projects described above;deployment of long-term mesocosm structures; SCUBA/surface supply diving; operation and transportation of university watercraft; laboratory sample processing including taxonomic identification of fish and macroinvertebrates, microscopy, tissue sampling; literature review and data analysis (e.g., community composition, spatial and temporal trends); assisting in various aspects of other lab projects Show less

Corpus Christi, Texas Area

Assist in design, construction and maintenance of an oyster hatchery as part of a National Science Foundation funded project assessing the salinity tolerance of the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in Texas and Louisiana coastal waters; assist TAMUCC Coastal Conservation and Ecology Lab in field sampling activities

Waukesha, Wi

Teach Biology 120 laboratory sections. Curriculum includes field sampling for aquatic macroinvertebrates and stream fish, sample processing, data analysis, hypothesis formation and testing, and scientific writing, as well as covering major concepts in freshwater ecology (e.g., Vannote’s River Continuum Concept).

Isla Mujeres, Q. Roo, Mexico

Effectively briefing and leading divers at 10+ dive sites of varying skill level (including coral reef, shipwreck, drift, night dives); teaching/training first-time divers in classroom/confined water (PADI Discover Scuba Program); assisting in teaching advanced diving courses, educating divers regarding fauna encountered on dives; videography/media editing, social media administration, handling client bookings/inquiries; maintaining, repairing, and taking inventory of dive equipment

Milwaukee, Wi

Biological Assessment of US Army Corps of Engineers "Green Breakwall" project, Milwaukee outer harbor. Duties/activities include:-Design/construction/deployment/retrieval of benthic invertebrate (Hemimysis) traps-Deployment and retrieval of micromesh gill nets-Dive transect surveys (both day and night dives)-Stomach content analysis of fish and invertebrates-Neuston tows (plankton tow for larval fish)-Underwater videography and editing

600 E. Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wi 53204 (Great Lakes Research Facility)

Projects: Potential for recolonization by Hexagenia mayflies in Green Bay, Lake Michigan (Thesis project) Green Bay as an ecosystem is likely in a state of recovery from past degradation; however, mayflies of the genus Hexagenia, a well-known bioindicator of water quality, were extirpated in the 1950s and have yet to make a recovery. Hexagenia serve important ecological roles associated with bioturbation and providing a high-quality food base for foraging fish. Both laboratory… Show more Projects: Potential for recolonization by Hexagenia mayflies in Green Bay, Lake Michigan (Thesis project) Green Bay as an ecosystem is likely in a state of recovery from past degradation; however, mayflies of the genus Hexagenia, a well-known bioindicator of water quality, were extirpated in the 1950s and have yet to make a recovery. Hexagenia serve important ecological roles associated with bioturbation and providing a high-quality food base for foraging fish. Both laboratory and in situ experiments assessing the potential for recolonization to Green Bay are in progress. Stromatolite conservation, dreissenid mussel populations, and cultural eutrophication in Laguna Bacalar, MX One of the most visually stunning freshwater bodies on the planet, Laguna Bacalar's beauty translates to a novel ecology and biogeochemistry, but also to huge potential for commercial development. Among its unique features are rare living stromatolites--and the largest continuous formation on earth. Via a grant funding I obtained in spring 2015, we are attempting to measure stromatolite growth, estimate densities of a non-native mussel, and work with a local high school to promote education about the lagoon's ecology (work stemming from a trip in 2012).Aquaponic system employing Australian Redclaw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus) Designed and built two fully automated aquaponic systems as part of a catalyst grant study involving indoor crayfish production. Laboratory and field experience/methodologies used include:Operation of and sampling from small motor boatsSampling from and working on a large research vesselSCUBA diving (sampling, video recording)Travel planning/orchestration Benthic and water column sampling (PONAR grab, Eckman grab, box/gravity corer and extruder, Niskin/Van Dorn water sampler, drag/seine/kick net YSI/CTD sonde Buoyoco’s method for sediment analysis (size fractionation)Identification of benthic fauna Plumbing design and construction Show less

Sheboygan, Wisconsin Area

Complete reconstruction of the Sheboygan River corridor as part of the EPA’s Areas of Concern project. Major duties included: Soil lifts and creation of marsh/prairie habitat Bank reconstruction and erosion control Extensive planting of several tree, shrub, and aquatic plant species

600 E. Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wi 53204 (Great Lakes Research Facility)

Duties Included:Preparation of live Artemia salina (Brine Shrimp) cultures for fish feed Feeding Artemia and other preparations to several genetic strains of Zebrafish (Danio rerio) used in scientific researchMonitoring flow rates, temperature, pH, conductivity, and other parameters

Greater Milwaukee Area

Practiced ecological restoration/maintenance on the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee. Major duties included: Invasive species removal Planting of native trees/shrubs/perennials Erosion control Identification of numerous plant and animal wildlife Operation of State vehicles and power equipment including chainsaws Coordination of volunteer groups Help in running trail events (i.e., Hank Aaron State Trail 5k run/walk, ground breaking ceremony for new trail… Show more Practiced ecological restoration/maintenance on the Hank Aaron State Trail in Milwaukee. Major duties included: Invasive species removal Planting of native trees/shrubs/perennials Erosion control Identification of numerous plant and animal wildlife Operation of State vehicles and power equipment including chainsaws Coordination of volunteer groups Help in running trail events (i.e., Hank Aaron State Trail 5k run/walk, ground breaking ceremony for new trail section) Show less

600 E. Greenfield Avenue, Milwaukee, Wi 53204 (Great Lakes Water Institute)

Participated in a wide variety of aquaculture and research related activities including: Animal husbandry for Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) Participation in design and implementation of experimental studies Administration of anesthetic to Yellow Perch Dissection/tissue sampling and working with dry ice/liquid nitrogen  Construction and management of aquatic experimental systems Molecular biology lab preparation work (i.e., labeling sample tubes, aliquotting… Show more Participated in a wide variety of aquaculture and research related activities including: Animal husbandry for Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) Participation in design and implementation of experimental studies Administration of anesthetic to Yellow Perch Dissection/tissue sampling and working with dry ice/liquid nitrogen  Construction and management of aquatic experimental systems Molecular biology lab preparation work (i.e., labeling sample tubes, aliquotting solutions, using an autoclave)  Assisting with DNA/RNA extraction and QPCR Inventory Data entry, analysis, and discussion Show less

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd

Master’S Degree, M.S. (Thesis) Freshwater Science And Technology, Emphasis On Benthic Ecology

Bachelor’S Degree, Double Major: Biological Sciences, Conservation/Environmental Science