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Christopher Rounds
Background
I am an graduate student at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. For my PhD I am studying fishery bright spots. During my master’s I focused on how we can use Environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). Broadly my research interests involve how anthropogenic factors impact aquatic ecosystems and how we can mitigate these impacts. I use a variety of quantitative approaches to understand how we can protect our amazing aquatic resources from future climate change and invasive species changes.
Education
University of Minnesota Twin - Cities
PhD in Fisheries and Aquatic Biology
St. Paul, MN
Current - 2023
University of Minnesota Twin - Cities
M.S. in Conservation Sciences
St. Paul, MN
2023 - 2021
University of Minnesota Twin - Cities
B.S. Aquatic Sciences
Minneapolis, MN
2020 - 2017
Minored in Computer Science, GIS and Marine Biology
Research Experience
Graduate Research Assistant
MAISRC, University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN
Present - 2021
- Organized and analyzed fisheries independent data collected from state and federal agencies constituting thousands of surveys over nine decades from multiple states to determine hot spots and bright spots of fish populations.
- Developed and carried out sampling protocols for AIS eDNA in 21 Minnesota lakes In collaboration with two other universities.
- Performed literature reviews on topics such as eDNA, anthropogenic factors impacting walleye and yellow perch populations, and copper impacts on freshwater organisms.
Junior Scientist
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, MN
2020 - 2019
- Independently developed a method to increase the efficiency of converting lake bathymetry maps to area-at-depth data using ImageJ. Extracted area-at-depth data from over 1000 Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota lakes.
- Created R scripts for comparing seagrass abundance captured from GoPro photos to abundance extrapolated using side-scanning sonar.
- Collected hundreds of littoral and deep-water fish and invertebrate samples. Processed samples for stable isotope analysis while working in a team setting.
Undergraduate Research Assistant
University of Minnesota, Native mussel project
St. Paul, MN
2020 - 2018
- Seined, snorkeled, and electrofished in stream and lake habitats to capture a variety of Minnesota fish and mussels to use in mussel-fish host suitability trials.
- Assisted in building, programming, and testing a submersible robot capable of videoing mussel-fish interactions in a riverine environment.
- Composed six reports of research results and shared the results with the macological community through presentations and papers.
Professional Experience
Life Support Intern
Como Zoo
St. Paul, MN
2019
- Maintained freshwater and saltwater sterilization systems
- Performed water quality tests
Server
Parkway Pizza
Minneapolis, MN
2023 - 2015
- Served tables and parties, using interpersonal skills to ensure customer satisfaction
- Managed up to 5 dayshift staff in placement, cooking and delivering of orders
Publications
Environmental DNA storage and extraction method affects detectability for multiple aquatic invasive species
N/A
2024
García SM, Chun CL, Dumke J, Hansen GJA, Quebedeaux K, Rounds C, Totsch A, Larson ER.
Digitizing lake bathymetric data using ImageJ
Limnology and Oceanography Methods
N/A
2023
Rounds C, Vitense K, Hansen GJA.
It’s complicated and it depends: A review of the effects of ecosystem changes on Walleye and Yellow Perch Populations in North America.
North American Journal of Fisheries Management
N/A
2022
Hansen GJA, Ruzich J, Krabbenhoft C, Kundel H, Mahlum S, Rounds C, Van Pelt A, Eslinger L, Logsdon D, Isermann D.
Digitization of Minnesota and Wisconsin bathymetric maps resulting in hypsographic data.
Data Repository for the University of Minnesota
N/A
2020
Rounds C, Hansen G, Vitense K.
Selected Presentations
Walleye bright spots in the upper Midwestern USA.
Annual Minnesota Chapter Meeting of the American Fisheries Society
Brainerd, MN
2024
Rounds C, Embke HS, Feiner Z, Henningsen R, Isermann D, Smith Q, Jensen O, Vander Zanden MJ, Vasquez B, Hansen GJA
Patterns and trends in Minnesota lake ice
Center for Limnology Seminar Series
Madison, WI
2023
Rounds C, Walsh J, Vitense K, Hansen GJA
Getting the most bang for our buck; optimizing sampling for multiple AIS using eDNA.
Society for Freshwater Science
Brisbane, AUS
2023
Rounds C, Arnold T, Nelson J, Dumke J, Chun CL, Larson E, Totsch A, Garcia S, Edbald K, Hansen GJA
Model Comparison for Evaluating Loss of Lake Ice
International Association of Great Lakes Research
Toronto, CA
2023
Rounds C
Digitizing Lake depth data using ImageJ
Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting
Grand Rapids, Mi
2022
Rounds C, Vitense K, Hansen GJA.
Optimizing eDNA for Multiple AIS detections.
Annual Minnesota Chapter Meeting of the American Fisheries Society
N/A
2022
Rounds C, Ruzich J, Hansen GJA.
Limnology, aquatic invasive species, and everything in between
Minneapolis, MN
2021, 2022, 2023
Guest Speaker for Four AP Bio Classes
Digitizing Lake depth data using ImageJ
Annual Minnesota Chapter Meeting of the American Fisheries Society
Wilmar, MN
2020
Rounds C, Vitense K, Hansen GJA.
University researchers and Minnesota Master Naturalists study early life history of native mussel species
Annual Minnesota Chapter Meeting of the American Fisheries Society
Wilmar, MN
2020
Rounds C, Hove M, Carrow K, Donna L, Binkley S, Deetz S, and D Zerwas Jr.
Licenses/Certifications
SSI Advanced SCUBA, NITROX and Deepwater, ECO-diver Certifications
Minnesota Boater Certification
First AID and CPR Certification
Service
Reviewer: Minnesota Undergraduate Research and Academic Journal, Neobiota
Field Guides Mentorship Program
Step-Up Program Mentor
National Adaptation Forum Moderator and Volunteer
UMN Conservation Sciences Seminar Board
Student Planning Commitee - Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting
Sanneh Foundation volunteer
Ecology and R tutor
Fisheries and Wildlife Club Vice President, UMNTC
Club soccer communications officer, UMNTC