Funding provided by:
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Funded Research in Progress
Assessing Distribution, Habitat Use, and Environmental Tolerances of Data-Deficient Texas Crayfish
Status: Project Initiation
Project Members: Dr. Zachary Mitchell (PI), Dr. Ryan Shartau (Co-PI; WSU)
Funding Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Project Start Date: August 2025
Wildfire, water, and wildlife: assessing beaver pond’s role in mitigating wildfire impacts on aquatic ecosystems and water security
Status: Data Collection
Project Members: Dr. Corey Green (PI, ENMU), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (Co-PI)
Funding Source: New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Faculty Research Grant Program
Project Start Date: September 2024
Microplastics monitoring of water in the Texas-New Mexico-Chihuahua region.
Status: Data Collection
Project Members: Dr. Patricia Cabrales-Arellano (PI, ENMU), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (Co-PI), Dr. Eduardo Ceh-Varela (Co-PI, ENMU)
Funding Source: North American Development Bank (BORDER 2025)
Project Start Date: August 2024
Improving data literacy in undergraduate biology education
Status: Final Report Writing
Project Members: Dr. Dr. Corey Green (PI, ENMU), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (Previous PI, Consultant), Dr. Ken Cradock (Co-PI, UNM)
Funding Source: National Science Foundation; Division of Undergraduate Education
Project Start Date: July 2022
Status: Project Initiation
Project Members: Dr. Zachary Mitchell (PI), Dr. Ryan Shartau (Co-PI; WSU)
Funding Source: Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Project Start Date: August 2025
Wildfire, water, and wildlife: assessing beaver pond’s role in mitigating wildfire impacts on aquatic ecosystems and water security
Status: Data Collection
Project Members: Dr. Corey Green (PI, ENMU), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (Co-PI)
Funding Source: New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Faculty Research Grant Program
Project Start Date: September 2024
Microplastics monitoring of water in the Texas-New Mexico-Chihuahua region.
Status: Data Collection
Project Members: Dr. Patricia Cabrales-Arellano (PI, ENMU), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (Co-PI), Dr. Eduardo Ceh-Varela (Co-PI, ENMU)
Funding Source: North American Development Bank (BORDER 2025)
Project Start Date: August 2024
Improving data literacy in undergraduate biology education
Status: Final Report Writing
Project Members: Dr. Dr. Corey Green (PI, ENMU), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (Previous PI, Consultant), Dr. Ken Cradock (Co-PI, UNM)
Funding Source: National Science Foundation; Division of Undergraduate Education
Project Start Date: July 2022
Additional Active Research Projects
Ecological Trajectories Across Space and Time: Patterns of Community Change
Project Members: Dr. Zachary Mitchell
Assessing Hurricane Impacts on Functional Diversity of Texas Estuarine Fishes
Project Members: Zoe C. Mabry^, Joseph M. McGovern^, Levi D. Sweeten^, Maya E. Donkor^, Chisum J. Green^, Charles J. Johnson^, Elgon J. Watson^, Dr. Zachary Mitchell; ^ = graduate student
Bridge Bias: Is Convenience Sampling Misleading Freshwater Mussel Conservation?
Project Members: Kiara Cushway (USACE), Dr. Todd Morris (DFO-CAN), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (TAMUK), Dr. Karl Cottenie (UofG), Dr. Daelyn Woolnough (CMU), Dr. Astrid Schwalb (TXST)
Ecological Trajectories Across Space and Time: Patterns of Community Change
Project Members: Dr. Zachary Mitchell
Assessing Hurricane Impacts on Functional Diversity of Texas Estuarine Fishes
Project Members: Zoe C. Mabry^, Joseph M. McGovern^, Levi D. Sweeten^, Maya E. Donkor^, Chisum J. Green^, Charles J. Johnson^, Elgon J. Watson^, Dr. Zachary Mitchell; ^ = graduate student
Bridge Bias: Is Convenience Sampling Misleading Freshwater Mussel Conservation?
Project Members: Kiara Cushway (USACE), Dr. Todd Morris (DFO-CAN), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (TAMUK), Dr. Karl Cottenie (UofG), Dr. Daelyn Woolnough (CMU), Dr. Astrid Schwalb (TXST)
Previous Research Projects
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Does beaver presence increase wildfire resistance of streams in New Mexico?
This project examined how beaver-engineered wetlands influenced aquatic biodiversity and riparian drought resilience across successional stages in New Mexico. By comparing fish and macroinvertebrate communities and vegetation health across active and abandoned beaver wetlands, the study evaluated how beaver activity shaped habitat heterogeneity, supported freshwater species, and buffered riparian corridors from seasonal drought and wildfire risk. Project Members: Ashlyn Reynolds (M.S. student- ENMU), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (faculty PI) Funding Source: New Mexico New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Student Water Research Grant Program |
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Warming waters, rising risks: Unraveling thermal tolerance of freshwater fish in the southwestern USA
This research examines the thermal tolerance of freshwater fish species in the southwestern United States, focusing on how rising water temperatures due to climate change impact fish physiology and survival. Using a comprehensive literature review and experimental trials, the study identifies critical temperature thresholds for various species, highlighting knowledge gaps and conservation priorities. Findings from this research provide valuable insights into the vulnerability of native fish populations and inform conservation strategies to protect species living near their physiological limits. Project Members: Nichole Webb (M.S. student), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (faculty PI) Funding Source: Eastern New Mexico University- Faculty Research Development Grant |
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Influence of seasonality on the relative importance of abiotic and biotic factors in determining fish survival in isolated pools in New Mexico rivers
This research investigates how seasonal changes impact the survival of fish in isolated pools formed by drying river systems in New Mexico. As drought intensifies, these pools become critical habitats where fish are subjected to varying abiotic (e.g., temperature, dissolved oxygen) and biotic (e.g., predation) stressors. Using a mesocosm experiment with Red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis), this study examines how environmental filtering and predation shape fish survival across different seasons. Findings indicate that abiotic stress dominates in summer and winter, while predation plays a larger role in fall and spring. The results provide insights into how fish communities respond to seasonal changes and inform conservation strategies for managing intermittent and ephemeral rivers. Project Members: Brittany Pulcini (M.S. student), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (faculty PI) Funding Source: New Mexico New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Student Water Research Grant Program |
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Drying Rivers: Responses of riverine biota in isolated pools during reduced stream flow This research investigates how stream drying events impact riverine ecosystems, particularly in the Pecos River, New Mexico. As droughts and human water use intensify, stream flows decline, leading to the formation of isolated pools where fish, macroinvertebrates, crayfish, and zooplankton become trapped. This study examines how abiotic stressors (e.g., temperature, hypoxia) and biotic interactions (e.g., predation, competition) influence survival and community structure over time. Through field surveys and lab experiments, the project identifies key habitat characteristics required for species survival and assesses drought-resistant traits among aquatic taxa. Findings will inform conservation efforts and sustainable water management strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on freshwater ecosystems. Project Members: Dr. Zachary Mitchell (PI) Funding Source: New Mexico Water Research Resource Institute- Faculty Research Grant Program |
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Toxicity of fire retardant in pulsed exposures to Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout under varying temperatures
This research examines the toxicity of Phos Chek® LC-95W, a commonly used wildfire retardant, on juvenile Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis), a species of conservation concern. The study evaluates survival rates under pulsed exposure scenarios, mimicking real-world runoff events, across different concentrations, temperatures, and exposure durations. Findings reveal that higher temperatures and prolonged exposure amplify toxicity, with significant mortality at elevated concentrations. These results highlight the compounded risks of chemical exposure and climate stressors on cold-water fish, emphasizing the need for improved fire-retardant management strategies to protect sensitive aquatic ecosystems. Project Members: Ashlyn Reynolds (undergraduate student), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (faculty PI) Funding Source: New Mexico Alliance for Minority Participation- Undergraduate Research Scholars Program |
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Effects of turbidity on fish behavior and community structure in New Mexico rivers
This research examines how increased turbidity influences fish shoaling behavior and community structure in the Pecos and Canadian River drainages of New Mexico. Through a combination of controlled lab experiments and field surveys, the study evaluates how changes in water clarity and flow affect fish movement, social interactions, and overall population health. Findings will provide insights into the ecological consequences of sediment pollution in river ecosystems, informing conservation strategies and water quality management to protect native fish species. Project Members: Aaliyah Salazar and Justin Schleusner (undergraduate students), Dr. Zachary Mitchell (faculty PI) Funding Source: New Mexico Water Resource Research Institute- Student Water Research Grant Program |
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