Kristen DeVanna Fussell, PhD

Dr. Kristen Fussell manages Ohio Sea Grant’s research program, including grants funded or managed by Ohio Sea Grant as well as development of Ohio Sea Grant research proposals and programs to be funded by external sources.

HERE IS HOW TO GET IN TOUCH

Phone: 614-292-8971
Email: fussell.10@osu.edu

EXPERTISE / SPECIALIZATIONS

Macroinvertebrates/Benthos
Habitat & Ecosystems
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Kristen has been an active researcher in the Western basin of Lake Erie since 2004, when she began her Master’s research with Dr. Christine Mayer at the University of Toledo’s Lake Erie Center, studying the impacts of invasive zebra and quagga mussels on sediment properties and the native invertebrate community. Kristen received her Master’s degree in December of 2006 and continued as a Ph.D. student with Christine Mayer. For her Ph.D., Kristen worked on a similar project, examining the effects of soft sediment quagga mussel clusters on the native burrowing mayfly population and received her Ph.D. from the University of Toledo in August of 2011.

Kristen’s post-doctoral research with Dr. Stuart Ludsin at Ohio State in the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology focused on a project funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, examining how physical and biological processes can act together to influence larval fish survival and recruitment to the fishery.

Kristen joined Ohio Sea Grant in July of 2014, and currently manages Ohio Sea Grant’s research program, including grants funded or managed by Ohio Sea Grant as well as development of Ohio Sea Grant research proposals and programs to be funded by external sources. Kristen regularly interacts with the investigators funded through Ohio Sea Grant and synthesizes project updates and results to disseminate to other scientists, agencies, and the general public.

Kristen also works with the education team to develop new curriculum for formal and informal educators in environmental education, such as lessons on solar energy and solar photovoltaic systems. She also teaches a 1-week Intro to Aquatic Biology course at Stone Laboratory each summer for upper-level high school and college students.

Kristen offers presentations on Lake Erie’s critical issues, including harmful algal blooms. Kristen enjoys outreach presentations, so feel free to contact her to discuss options!