What's New:
Summer 2026
Our 2026 summer field season in east Texas streams started with great enthusiasm. We have been busy surveying stream and main channel habitats of the Sabine and Neches River basin.
Our 2026 summer field season in east Texas streams started with great enthusiasm. We have been busy surveying stream and main channel habitats of the Sabine and Neches River basin.
May 2026
Two new publications from the Montana Research Lab and colleagues from Texas A&M University:
Fry, B., C. Young, C.G. Montaña, L. Kelso-Winemiller & K.O. Winemiller. 2026. Variation in basal production sources supporting fish trophic guilds in the channel and floodplain ponds of the Rupununi River, Guyana, during dry season isolation. Neotropical Ichthyology 24(1):e250155
Ellard, J., R.D. Mangold, A. Umstott, K. Kubicek, K. Conway, Montaña C. G., B. Guneralp & J. Perkin. 2026. Reservoir proximity explains long-term transformation of riverine fish assemblage structure and function. Scientific Reports 16:16540.
Two new publications from the Montana Research Lab and colleagues from Texas A&M University:
Fry, B., C. Young, C.G. Montaña, L. Kelso-Winemiller & K.O. Winemiller. 2026. Variation in basal production sources supporting fish trophic guilds in the channel and floodplain ponds of the Rupununi River, Guyana, during dry season isolation. Neotropical Ichthyology 24(1):e250155
Ellard, J., R.D. Mangold, A. Umstott, K. Kubicek, K. Conway, Montaña C. G., B. Guneralp & J. Perkin. 2026. Reservoir proximity explains long-term transformation of riverine fish assemblage structure and function. Scientific Reports 16:16540.
May 2026
Congratulations to Joseph Sheffield and Robin Yarman in receiving their B.S. degrees . You did it!
Congratulations to Joseph Sheffield and Robin Yarman in receiving their B.S. degrees . You did it!
April 2026
Congratulations to Meredith Barney (Graduate Student) and Joseph Sheffield (Undergraduate) for receiving Achievement Awards. Way to go!
Dr. CG Montana also received the "Million-Dollar Funding Milestone Award"
Congratulations to Meredith Barney (Graduate Student) and Joseph Sheffield (Undergraduate) for receiving Achievement Awards. Way to go!
Dr. CG Montana also received the "Million-Dollar Funding Milestone Award"
February 2026
A new publication from the Montana Research Lab and colleagues from Mexico: Estuarine structure and connectivity influence seasonal and spatial shifts in the food web structure of fish assemblages. Regional Studies in Marine Science 95 (2026) 104806
A new publication from the Montana Research Lab and colleagues from Mexico: Estuarine structure and connectivity influence seasonal and spatial shifts in the food web structure of fish assemblages. Regional Studies in Marine Science 95 (2026) 104806
January 2026
Dr. Montana and SFA students spent the winter break in Guyana (South America) surveying blackwater creeks in the Demerara River. We thank our collaborators, Dr. Donal Taphon and colleagues from University of Guyana for field assistance and logistics. Our research in Guyana is funded through the IRES-NSF program to train undergraduate students in tropical freshwater biodiversity.
Dr. Montana and SFA students spent the winter break in Guyana (South America) surveying blackwater creeks in the Demerara River. We thank our collaborators, Dr. Donal Taphon and colleagues from University of Guyana for field assistance and logistics. Our research in Guyana is funded through the IRES-NSF program to train undergraduate students in tropical freshwater biodiversity.
January 2026
Kudos to our SFA students members of the Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab: Annie Umstott, Meredith Barney, Maggie, Joe Sheffield, Michael Musal, and Katelyn Defrancis for presenting their research at the 50th Annual Meeting TCAFS2026.
Congratulations to Joe (Undergraduate), Meredith and Michael for receiving scholarships at the 2026 TCAFS. Way to go!
Congratulations to Meredith for receiving the outstanding Fisheries Student Award of the Year 2026. Way to go!
Kudos to our SFA students members of the Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab: Annie Umstott, Meredith Barney, Maggie, Joe Sheffield, Michael Musal, and Katelyn Defrancis for presenting their research at the 50th Annual Meeting TCAFS2026.
Congratulations to Joe (Undergraduate), Meredith and Michael for receiving scholarships at the 2026 TCAFS. Way to go!
Congratulations to Meredith for receiving the outstanding Fisheries Student Award of the Year 2026. Way to go!
Fall season 2025
The Fall semester was very busy for the Montana Research Lab.
Congratulations to Maggie Moses in receiving her Master Degree of Science (Biology)! You did it.
Fall 2025 field was very productive. We completed most sites within the Sabine and Neches River basins.
Our new undergraduate research techs did a fantastic job and finished strong. They enjoyed the field season.
The Fall semester was very busy for the Montana Research Lab.
Congratulations to Maggie Moses in receiving her Master Degree of Science (Biology)! You did it.
Fall 2025 field was very productive. We completed most sites within the Sabine and Neches River basins.
Our new undergraduate research techs did a fantastic job and finished strong. They enjoyed the field season.
August 2025
A new publication from the Montana Research Lab "Parasites are paramount: vertical trophic positions of parasitic catfishes in a tropical river food web. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 34(4): e70025. www.researchgate.net/publication/395010062_Parasites_Are_Paramount_Vertical_Trophic_Positions_of_Parasitic_Catfishes_in_a_Tropical_River_Food_Web
A new publication from the Montana Research Lab "Parasites are paramount: vertical trophic positions of parasitic catfishes in a tropical river food web. Ecology of Freshwater Fish 34(4): e70025. www.researchgate.net/publication/395010062_Parasites_Are_Paramount_Vertical_Trophic_Positions_of_Parasitic_Catfishes_in_a_Tropical_River_Food_Web
August 2025
New Graduate Student Michael Musal joined the lab. Welcome Michael!
Kudos to our SFA students members of the Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab: Annie Umstott, Meredith Barney, Maggie Mosses (Graduate) and Joe Sheffield (Undergraduate) for presenting their research at the 155th Annual Meeting American Fisheries Society in Sam Antonio, TX.
Congratulations to Joe and Meredith for being first time presenters at Annual National AFS meeting!
Congratulations to Annie for being the recipient of the Runner-up Award for best paper presentation at the 155th Annual AFS meeting.
New Graduate Student Michael Musal joined the lab. Welcome Michael!
Kudos to our SFA students members of the Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab: Annie Umstott, Meredith Barney, Maggie Mosses (Graduate) and Joe Sheffield (Undergraduate) for presenting their research at the 155th Annual Meeting American Fisheries Society in Sam Antonio, TX.
Congratulations to Joe and Meredith for being first time presenters at Annual National AFS meeting!
Congratulations to Annie for being the recipient of the Runner-up Award for best paper presentation at the 155th Annual AFS meeting.
Summer 2025 is here!!
Our new research in east Texas streams started with great enthusiasm. Our first kick-off research field camping brought out our state agency collaborators (TPWD and Comptroller Office) and several SFA students and faculty from Biology. Very exciting about this new research using a multiscale approach to study imperiled populations of cyprinid and catostomid fishes in the Neches and Sabine River basins in East Texas.
Our new research in east Texas streams started with great enthusiasm. Our first kick-off research field camping brought out our state agency collaborators (TPWD and Comptroller Office) and several SFA students and faculty from Biology. Very exciting about this new research using a multiscale approach to study imperiled populations of cyprinid and catostomid fishes in the Neches and Sabine River basins in East Texas.
Summer 2025 is here!!
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab is in a new mission. Our new external funded research grant (with Comptroller Texas) will use a multiscale approach based on stable isotope analysis, drone surveys, and traditional habitat/fish surveys to better understand the habitat use, movement and ecology of imperiled fish species in east Texas Streams.
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab is in a new mission. Our new external funded research grant (with Comptroller Texas) will use a multiscale approach based on stable isotope analysis, drone surveys, and traditional habitat/fish surveys to better understand the habitat use, movement and ecology of imperiled fish species in east Texas Streams.
Summer 2025 is here!!
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab members has been busy with summer research work in the upper Red River Texas.
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab members has been busy with summer research work in the upper Red River Texas.
May 2025
Congratulations to Annie Umstott and Chase Nimee. You did it! You both made me proud. Congratulation in receiving your Master Degree of Science (Biology)
Congratulations to Annie Umstott and Chase Nimee. You did it! You both made me proud. Congratulation in receiving your Master Degree of Science (Biology)
May 2025
Congratulations Chase Nimee for receiving 2nd place of Best Poster presentation a the 2025 SFA Graduate Research Conference. Way to go Chase!
Congratulations Chase Nimee for receiving 2nd place of Best Poster presentation a the 2025 SFA Graduate Research Conference. Way to go Chase!
April 2025
Dr. Montana ran the 129th Boston Marathon, on April 21, 2025!
Dr. Montana ran the 129th Boston Marathon, on April 21, 2025!
April 2025
Dr. Montana was invited a Guest Lecture for the Piney Wood Lakes Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist! What a fun class.
Dr. Montana was invited a Guest Lecture for the Piney Wood Lakes Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist! What a fun class.
March -April 2025
Kudos to graduate (Annie Umstott and Chase Nimee) and undergraduate (Katelyn Defrancis, Joe Sheffield) students presenting their research 2025 Ecological Integration Symposium at Texas A&M and at the Undergraduate Research Conference at SFA. Way to go guys!
Kudos to graduate (Annie Umstott and Chase Nimee) and undergraduate (Katelyn Defrancis, Joe Sheffield) students presenting their research 2025 Ecological Integration Symposium at Texas A&M and at the Undergraduate Research Conference at SFA. Way to go guys!
February-March 2025
Our Lab members have been busy in the field surveying streams in East Texas and the upper Red River in Texas for the spring season.
January 2025
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab members attended and presented at the 2025 Annual Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society in College Station, TX. Three undergraduates (Adair Hernandez, Katelyn Defrancis, Joe Sheffield) and three graduates (Annie Umstott, Chase Nimee, Maggie Moses, Meredith Barney) attended the meeting.
BIG CONGRATULATIONS to everyone from our lab for their outstanding presentations. Special recognition to our students Annie for her 2025 Outstanding Fisheries Student Award and Katelyn for receiving the 1st Place for best poster presentation.
Dr. Montana was recognized with the 2025 Outstanding Fisheries Worker of the year Award.
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab members attended and presented at the 2025 Annual Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society in College Station, TX. Three undergraduates (Adair Hernandez, Katelyn Defrancis, Joe Sheffield) and three graduates (Annie Umstott, Chase Nimee, Maggie Moses, Meredith Barney) attended the meeting.
BIG CONGRATULATIONS to everyone from our lab for their outstanding presentations. Special recognition to our students Annie for her 2025 Outstanding Fisheries Student Award and Katelyn for receiving the 1st Place for best poster presentation.
Dr. Montana was recognized with the 2025 Outstanding Fisheries Worker of the year Award.
Sept - 2024
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab members attended and presented at the 2024 Annual American Fisheries Society in Hawaii. Great time for current students presenting their research, meeting my former student Erin Shepta, and collaborators.
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab members attended and presented at the 2024 Annual American Fisheries Society in Hawaii. Great time for current students presenting their research, meeting my former student Erin Shepta, and collaborators.
July-August 2024
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab members have been busy in the field surveying streams in East Texas and the upper Red River in Texas.
A very productive summer! Kuddos to all the undergraduate and graduate students working in the lab.
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab members have been busy in the field surveying streams in East Texas and the upper Red River in Texas.
A very productive summer! Kuddos to all the undergraduate and graduate students working in the lab.
Paige Summer (Forestry Undergraduate) did an awesome job surveying ponds at the DCNF (Texas) to study the distribution of Lesser Siren among ponds with different predation regimes. Thank you to all Montana lab members, collaborators from USFS, Wichita State University and Texas State University for the help in the field and great collaboration in this project.
Grace Zhang (from Katy High School) finished her 2024 summer internship working in morphology of darter fishes in East Texas streams.
We will miss you Grace!! You did an excellent job out in the field and lab settings.
We will miss you Grace!! You did an excellent job out in the field and lab settings.
June 2024
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab at SFASU along with collaborators from the Systematic Ichthyology Lab at Texas A&M University, and the Marine Genomics Laboratory at TAMU-CC started new collaborative research in the Upper Red River Texas studying imperiled fish species, their ecology and genomics.
The Montana Aquatic Ecology Lab at SFASU along with collaborators from the Systematic Ichthyology Lab at Texas A&M University, and the Marine Genomics Laboratory at TAMU-CC started new collaborative research in the Upper Red River Texas studying imperiled fish species, their ecology and genomics.
June 2024
A new publication from the Montana Research Lab about mercury accumulation in ASTs in Texas published in early view in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. This paper was the last chapter of David Rosenbaum. thesis. https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.5888
MS Graduate Student Troy Stirling joined the Montana lab.... Welcome to the lab Troy!
May 2024
Dr. Montana and SFA students/Faculty traveled to Guyana for a month to conducted international collaborative research in the Guiana Shield- research founded by National Science Foundation. We visited the Essequibo River and stayed in Iwokrama Lodge and Research Centre.
Dr. Montana and SFA students/Faculty traveled to Guyana for a month to conducted international collaborative research in the Guiana Shield- research founded by National Science Foundation. We visited the Essequibo River and stayed in Iwokrama Lodge and Research Centre.
April 2024
Dr. Montana received the 2024 Excellence in research Award for the Collège of Science and Mathematics at SFASU
Dr. Montana received the 2024 Excellence in research Award for the Collège of Science and Mathematics at SFASU
April 2024
Dr. Montana received the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award for the Collège of Science and Mathematics at SFA
Chase Nimee, Annie Simpson, and Maggie Moses (graduate students presented their research at the SFA 2024 Graduate Research Conference
Dr. Montana received the 2024 Outstanding Graduate Advisor Award for the Collège of Science and Mathematics at SFA
Chase Nimee, Annie Simpson, and Maggie Moses (graduate students presented their research at the SFA 2024 Graduate Research Conference
April 2024
Dr. Montana received the 2024 Undergraduate Mentor or the Year Award at SFASU
Megan Beeksma - Undergrad student at the Montana Lab received Top Scholar Award at SFA 2024Undergraduate Research Conference.
Sophie Scott placed finalist and presented at the 2024 SFA Undergraduate research Conferences
The Montana Lab members attended and presented at the Ecological Integration Symposium at Texas A&M University.
Dr. Montana received the 2024 Undergraduate Mentor or the Year Award at SFASU
Megan Beeksma - Undergrad student at the Montana Lab received Top Scholar Award at SFA 2024Undergraduate Research Conference.
Sophie Scott placed finalist and presented at the 2024 SFA Undergraduate research Conferences
The Montana Lab members attended and presented at the Ecological Integration Symposium at Texas A&M University.
March 2024
A new paper from the Montana Lab was published in North American Journal of Fisheries Management "Live‐bait industry as a pathway for movement of nonnative and invasive species: Implications for conservation of native Texas fishes" afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/nafm.10981
Congratulations to all co-authors, in special to Erin Shepta for leading this second chapter of her MS research thesis!!
A new paper from the Montana Lab was published in North American Journal of Fisheries Management "Live‐bait industry as a pathway for movement of nonnative and invasive species: Implications for conservation of native Texas fishes" afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/nafm.10981
Congratulations to all co-authors, in special to Erin Shepta for leading this second chapter of her MS research thesis!!
February 2024
The Montana Lab members attended and presented at the meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Nacogdoches TX
The lab presented 3 oral presentations and 4 posters
Chase Nimee was awarded a Harry Tennison Scholarship - Congratulations to Chase!
The Montana Lab members attended and presented at the meeting of the Texas Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Nacogdoches TX
The lab presented 3 oral presentations and 4 posters
Chase Nimee was awarded a Harry Tennison Scholarship - Congratulations to Chase!
Annie Simpson was award the Best Oral Presentation overall. Congratulations Annie!!!
Chase Nimee was awarded the Outstanding Fisheries Worker of the Year. Congratulations to Chase!
Chase Nimee was awarded the Outstanding Fisheries Worker of the Year. Congratulations to Chase!
Annie successfully defended her Master thesis research proposal. Good job Annie!
January 2024
Maggie Moses joined the Montana Lab for her MS degree in Biology
The Montana Lab members started the new year 2024 surveying local streams in East Texas as part of the long-term collaborative research with Texas A&M University.
Maggie Moses joined the Montana Lab for her MS degree in Biology
The Montana Lab members started the new year 2024 surveying local streams in East Texas as part of the long-term collaborative research with Texas A&M University.
November 2023
Dr. Montana gave a Departmental Seminar at University of California Riverside about "Freshwater fish communities in an era of global change"
The 2023 fall season for stream surveys in streams of East Texas were completed. Big thanks to all Montana Lab members for the great and hard work!!.
Dr. Montana gave a Departmental Seminar at University of California Riverside about "Freshwater fish communities in an era of global change"
The 2023 fall season for stream surveys in streams of East Texas were completed. Big thanks to all Montana Lab members for the great and hard work!!.
September 2023
Erin Shepta, Dr. Montana, and Collaborators published new paper in the journal Biological Invasions
Congratulations to all, in special to Erin for leading this first chapter of her MS research thesis!!
Erin Shepta, Dr. Montana, and Collaborators published new paper in the journal Biological Invasions
Congratulations to all, in special to Erin for leading this first chapter of her MS research thesis!!
August 2023
Dr. Montana traveled to Grand Rapids Michigan to present at the American Fisheries Society annual conference. She and former/current Kirk Winemiller lab member organized a special symposium at the AFS to Honor Winemiller' Legacy in the field of freshwater fisheries.
Dr. Montana traveled to Grand Rapids Michigan to present at the American Fisheries Society annual conference. She and former/current Kirk Winemiller lab member organized a special symposium at the AFS to Honor Winemiller' Legacy in the field of freshwater fisheries.
July 2023
Dr. Montana and collaborators from 23 US universities published a new study in the journal Bioscience highlighting the importance of biodiversity collections and how transformative research in frreshwater ecology integrating biodiversity collections, stable isotope analysis (SIA), and environmental informatics allows evaluation of long-term ecological change at local to continental scales. BioScience. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad039
Congratulations to the whole team!!!
Dr. Montana and collaborators from 23 US universities published a new study in the journal Bioscience highlighting the importance of biodiversity collections and how transformative research in frreshwater ecology integrating biodiversity collections, stable isotope analysis (SIA), and environmental informatics allows evaluation of long-term ecological change at local to continental scales. BioScience. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad039
Congratulations to the whole team!!!
June-August 2023
The Montana lab at SFASU, The Riverscape Lab (Dr. Josh Perkin, www.riverscapeecology.org/) and Systematic Ichthyology Lab at Texas A&M University started long-term collaborative research in East Texas rivers studying the Fish biodiversity in Neches and Sabine River basins.
Our students from TAMU and SFASU have been intensively to complete 2023 summer sampling season.
The Montana lab at SFASU, The Riverscape Lab (Dr. Josh Perkin, www.riverscapeecology.org/) and Systematic Ichthyology Lab at Texas A&M University started long-term collaborative research in East Texas rivers studying the Fish biodiversity in Neches and Sabine River basins.
Our students from TAMU and SFASU have been intensively to complete 2023 summer sampling season.
May 2023
Dr. Montana and SFA students/Faculty traveled to Guyana to conducted international collaborative research in the Guiana Shield- research founded by National Science Foundation.
MS Graduate Student Anastasia Simpson joined the Montana lab.... Welcome to the lab Annie as a MS student!
Dr. Montana and SFA students/Faculty traveled to Guyana to conducted international collaborative research in the Guiana Shield- research founded by National Science Foundation.
MS Graduate Student Anastasia Simpson joined the Montana lab.... Welcome to the lab Annie as a MS student!
April 2023
Dr. Montana and collaborators published a new study highlighting the detection, occupancy and abundance of Alligator Snapping Turtle in Texas https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.22409
Congratulations to Siena Stassi (Env. Science Undergrad) for being selected as the SFA undergraduate to represent our university at the State Undergraduate Research Conference at the Capitol, Austin Texas.
Congratulations to Eli Torrez (Biology Undergrad) for taking the 1st. Place on her poster presentation at the 23rd Annual Ecological Integration Symposium (EIS) at Texas A&M University.
Dr. Montana and collaborators published a new study highlighting the detection, occupancy and abundance of Alligator Snapping Turtle in Texas https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.22409
Congratulations to Siena Stassi (Env. Science Undergrad) for being selected as the SFA undergraduate to represent our university at the State Undergraduate Research Conference at the Capitol, Austin Texas.
Congratulations to Eli Torrez (Biology Undergrad) for taking the 1st. Place on her poster presentation at the 23rd Annual Ecological Integration Symposium (EIS) at Texas A&M University.
March 2023
Members of the Montana Lab (Undergrads: Caroline Crisp, Eli Torres, and Siena Stassi and Graduate: Chase Nimee) presented their research projects at the 2023 Annual Ecological Integration Symposium (EIS) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Congratulations to all.
Members of the Montana Lab (Undergrads: Caroline Crisp, Eli Torres, and Siena Stassi and Graduate: Chase Nimee) presented their research projects at the 2023 Annual Ecological Integration Symposium (EIS) at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. Congratulations to all.
February 2023
Members of the Montana Lab (Caroline Crisp, Eli Torres, Chase Nimee, and Dave Peterson) presented their research projects at the 2023 Annual meeting of Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society in Corpus Christi, Texas. Congratulations to all.
Members of the Montana Lab (Caroline Crisp, Eli Torres, Chase Nimee, and Dave Peterson) presented their research projects at the 2023 Annual meeting of Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society in Corpus Christi, Texas. Congratulations to all.
January 2023
Two new publications from the Montana Research Lab:
Changes in taxonomic and functional diversity of an urban stream fish assemblage: a 30-year perspective. 2023. Frontiers, Sec. Freshwater Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.965291
Ecological aspects of the Pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) in East Texas Streams. 2023. Southeastern Naturalist, 21(4):299-315 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1656/058.021.0407
Chase Nimee joined the Montana Lab at SFASU for his MS program in Biology. Welcome Chase!
Caroline Crisp (SFA Biology Undergraduate) started her project assessing Red River pupfish populations in the upper Brazos River
The Montana lab started the new year 2023 meeting our collaborators for the Wild Animal Initiative (WAI) collaborative research: Wichita State, Texas State University, US Forest Service.
Two new publications from the Montana Research Lab:
Changes in taxonomic and functional diversity of an urban stream fish assemblage: a 30-year perspective. 2023. Frontiers, Sec. Freshwater Science https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.965291
Ecological aspects of the Pirate perch (Aphredoderus sayanus) in East Texas Streams. 2023. Southeastern Naturalist, 21(4):299-315 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1656/058.021.0407
Chase Nimee joined the Montana Lab at SFASU for his MS program in Biology. Welcome Chase!
Caroline Crisp (SFA Biology Undergraduate) started her project assessing Red River pupfish populations in the upper Brazos River
The Montana lab started the new year 2023 meeting our collaborators for the Wild Animal Initiative (WAI) collaborative research: Wichita State, Texas State University, US Forest Service.
October 2022
Students at The Montana lab started the Fall 2022 fish tagging of imperiled species in local streams in east Texas streams.
Eli Torres (Biology Undergraduate), Sophie Scott (Env. Science Undergraduate) and Megan Beeksmam (Forestry Undergraduate) joined the Lab!!
Students at The Montana lab started the Fall 2022 fish tagging of imperiled species in local streams in east Texas streams.
Eli Torres (Biology Undergraduate), Sophie Scott (Env. Science Undergraduate) and Megan Beeksmam (Forestry Undergraduate) joined the Lab!!
September 2022
Dr. Montana presented research seminar at Western Michigan university "Everything is bigger here! Conservation challenges of Texas stream fishes"
July - August 2022
Jamie Stephan joined the Montana Lab at SFASU for her MS in Biology. Welcome Jamie!
The Montana lab and the Hoeinghaus Lab at University of North Texas were busy surveying endangered shiners in the upper Brazos River, Texas.
Dr. Montana presented research seminar at Western Michigan university "Everything is bigger here! Conservation challenges of Texas stream fishes"
July - August 2022
Jamie Stephan joined the Montana Lab at SFASU for her MS in Biology. Welcome Jamie!
The Montana lab and the Hoeinghaus Lab at University of North Texas were busy surveying endangered shiners in the upper Brazos River, Texas.
July 2022
Dr. Montana presented research at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists @ Spokane (WA)
June 2022
Dr. Montana received a collaborative National Science Foundation Grant award-IRES program to research Freshwater Biodiversity in the Guiana Shield, South America
Dr. Montana presented research at the Joint Meeting of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists @ Spokane (WA)
June 2022
Dr. Montana received a collaborative National Science Foundation Grant award-IRES program to research Freshwater Biodiversity in the Guiana Shield, South America
May 2022
Dr. Montana presented research seminar at University of Wyoming "Conservation of stream fishes: a temperate and tropical perspective"
The Montana lab attended the Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society meeting in Hunt, TX and present oral and poster presentations.
Dr. Montana presented research seminar at University of Wyoming "Conservation of stream fishes: a temperate and tropical perspective"
The Montana lab attended the Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society meeting in Hunt, TX and present oral and poster presentations.
Big CONGRATULATIONS!! Erin Shepta (Biology, MS), Jake Swanson (Env. Science, MS), Andy Lara, Zachary Hutchens and Courtney Plummer (Biology Undergrads) Graduated.
April 2022
Siena Stassi, Zachary Hutchens and Courtney Plummer presented their research at the Undergraduate Research Conference at SFASU! Congrats to all.
Erin Shepta, Zachary Hutchens, Courtney Plummer and Andy Lara presented their research projects at the Ecological Integration Symposium at Texas A&M University!!!Congratulations to Erin Shepta, Zachary Hutchens, Siena Stassi and Andy Lara for being awarded with he travel grant to present at the Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society on May 17-19, 2022. Way to go guys!
Congratulations to Erin Shepta!! She successfully defended her MS thesis. Way to go Erin!
Siena Stassi, Zachary Hutchens and Courtney Plummer presented their research at the Undergraduate Research Conference at SFASU! Congrats to all.
Erin Shepta, Zachary Hutchens, Courtney Plummer and Andy Lara presented their research projects at the Ecological Integration Symposium at Texas A&M University!!!Congratulations to Erin Shepta, Zachary Hutchens, Siena Stassi and Andy Lara for being awarded with he travel grant to present at the Texas Chapter American Fisheries Society on May 17-19, 2022. Way to go guys!
Congratulations to Erin Shepta!! She successfully defended her MS thesis. Way to go Erin!
March 2022
Dr. Montana was a guest on the podcast "Talk on the Wild Side"
hosted by the Ceasar Klebber Wildlife Research Institute, Texas. She shared her research experiences working in Texas fishes, the conservation of shiners in Texas, and invasive species.
Learn more here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/42M69zME6EwozKk1XKQ2ba
Congratulations to Zachary Hutchens and Courtney Plummer for being selected as finalists for the College of Science and Mathematics to present at the SFA Undergraduate Research Conference. Way to go!
Feb 2022
Our article entitled "Trophic Ecology and Resource Partitioning of Common Snook and Mexican Snook in the Usumacinta River Delta was published in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10340 Congratulations to everyone!!
December 2021
Siena presented at the SFA ATCOFA Undergraduate Research Conference. She was awarded 1st. Place Top Scholar Student for her presentation in Microplastics in surface and sediments in streams in East Texas. Congrats! Way to go Siena!
October 2021
Our article entitled: Trophic ecology and resource partitioning of Common Snook and Mexican Snook in the Usumacinta River Delta accepted for publication in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. Congratulations to everyone, in special to Edgar Abraham Aragón Flores as this was one of the topics of his PhD dissertation!
Dr. Montana and Collaborators from University of North Texas received award from Texas Comptroller Office study populations of Endangered fish species. We will be busy for 4-year!!!
TPWD Inland Fisheries State Wildlife Grant pre-proposal submitted. Finger crossed!!
September 2021
Our article entitled: The cost of gold: Mercury contamination of fishes in a Neotropical river food-web was published in Neotropical Ichthyology.
Collaborative Research proposal with Texas A&M University was submitted to National Science Foundation (NSF). Fingers crossed!
Our article entitled: Community assembly within ponds: the roles of space, time, and environmental gradients was published in Aquatic Ecology!
Research Grant proposal in collaboration with the University of North Texas was submitted to the the Texas Office of Comptroller. Fingers crossed!
August 2021
National Science Foundation (NSF) founded our collaborative research project for MRI: Acquisition of Tekran mercury speciation system. This is in collaboration with University of Texas at Tyler. Congrats to everyone!!
Siena Stassi (SFA, Env. Science undergraduate) joined the lab. Welcome Sienna.
Brittney Reese graduated from SFASU, Biology! Congratulation Britt.
July 2021
Dr. Montana was awarded with the SFASU Distinguish Grant Award: Faculty research First Award" for her research achievements since she arrived at SFA in Fall 2019.
Zachary Hutchens presented his summer research work on Impacts of urbanization in the populations of Sabine Shiner at the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) 2021 at SFASU. Way to go Zachary!
April 2021
Congratulations to Zachary Hutchens for being awarded with the Student Field Natural History Award at the 2021 The Southwestern Association of Naturalists (SWAN) meeting 22-24 April 2021. Zachary presented his research on Movements, Habitat use and Ecological aspects of the Sabine Shiner in East Texas streams. Way to go Zach!!
Our new book entitled: Peacock Bass: Diversity, Ecology and Conservation" by Kirk Winemiller, Leslie Kelso Winemiller & Carmen Montana) has been published by Elsevier.
March 2021
Dr. Montana was awarded with the SFA Research Grant Development for Summer 2021.
Congratulations to Zachary Hutchens for being one of the recipients of the 2021 Undergraduate Research Summer Award. Way to go Zach!
Congratulations to Jake Swanson (M.S. Student) recipient of the STMicroelectronics scholarship and the McCullough Family Scholarship from the ATCOFA.
Lucas Kahn (Undergraduate)
received Top Scholar winner at the 2021 SFA Undergraduate Research Symposium. Congratulations- Way to go Lucas!
Dr. Montana was a guest on the podcast "Talk on the Wild Side"
hosted by the Ceasar Klebber Wildlife Research Institute, Texas. She shared her research experiences working in Texas fishes, the conservation of shiners in Texas, and invasive species.
Learn more here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/42M69zME6EwozKk1XKQ2ba
Congratulations to Zachary Hutchens and Courtney Plummer for being selected as finalists for the College of Science and Mathematics to present at the SFA Undergraduate Research Conference. Way to go!
Feb 2022
Our article entitled "Trophic Ecology and Resource Partitioning of Common Snook and Mexican Snook in the Usumacinta River Delta was published in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/tafs.10340 Congratulations to everyone!!
December 2021
Siena presented at the SFA ATCOFA Undergraduate Research Conference. She was awarded 1st. Place Top Scholar Student for her presentation in Microplastics in surface and sediments in streams in East Texas. Congrats! Way to go Siena!
October 2021
Our article entitled: Trophic ecology and resource partitioning of Common Snook and Mexican Snook in the Usumacinta River Delta accepted for publication in Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. Congratulations to everyone, in special to Edgar Abraham Aragón Flores as this was one of the topics of his PhD dissertation!
Dr. Montana and Collaborators from University of North Texas received award from Texas Comptroller Office study populations of Endangered fish species. We will be busy for 4-year!!!
TPWD Inland Fisheries State Wildlife Grant pre-proposal submitted. Finger crossed!!
September 2021
Our article entitled: The cost of gold: Mercury contamination of fishes in a Neotropical river food-web was published in Neotropical Ichthyology.
Collaborative Research proposal with Texas A&M University was submitted to National Science Foundation (NSF). Fingers crossed!
Our article entitled: Community assembly within ponds: the roles of space, time, and environmental gradients was published in Aquatic Ecology!
Research Grant proposal in collaboration with the University of North Texas was submitted to the the Texas Office of Comptroller. Fingers crossed!
August 2021
National Science Foundation (NSF) founded our collaborative research project for MRI: Acquisition of Tekran mercury speciation system. This is in collaboration with University of Texas at Tyler. Congrats to everyone!!
Siena Stassi (SFA, Env. Science undergraduate) joined the lab. Welcome Sienna.
Brittney Reese graduated from SFASU, Biology! Congratulation Britt.
July 2021
Dr. Montana was awarded with the SFASU Distinguish Grant Award: Faculty research First Award" for her research achievements since she arrived at SFA in Fall 2019.
Zachary Hutchens presented his summer research work on Impacts of urbanization in the populations of Sabine Shiner at the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) 2021 at SFASU. Way to go Zachary!
April 2021
Congratulations to Zachary Hutchens for being awarded with the Student Field Natural History Award at the 2021 The Southwestern Association of Naturalists (SWAN) meeting 22-24 April 2021. Zachary presented his research on Movements, Habitat use and Ecological aspects of the Sabine Shiner in East Texas streams. Way to go Zach!!
Our new book entitled: Peacock Bass: Diversity, Ecology and Conservation" by Kirk Winemiller, Leslie Kelso Winemiller & Carmen Montana) has been published by Elsevier.
March 2021
Dr. Montana was awarded with the SFA Research Grant Development for Summer 2021.
Congratulations to Zachary Hutchens for being one of the recipients of the 2021 Undergraduate Research Summer Award. Way to go Zach!
Congratulations to Jake Swanson (M.S. Student) recipient of the STMicroelectronics scholarship and the McCullough Family Scholarship from the ATCOFA.
Lucas Kahn (Undergraduate)
received Top Scholar winner at the 2021 SFA Undergraduate Research Symposium. Congratulations- Way to go Lucas!
Photos of Field Research Activities
Montana & Schalk Lab members during the alligator snapping turtle survey @ East Texas. 22 July 2020.
Internships & volunteering opportunities
at Montana Lab
Are you interested in aquatic ecosystems: ponds, streams, rivers? in aquatic organisms such as fish, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles? The Montana Lab welcome motivate undergraduates with great interest in getting hands on research experience working on the field or lab settings.
Please, contact Dr. Montana via email if you are interested in volunteering or doing an internship in her lab.
at Montana Lab
Are you interested in aquatic ecosystems: ponds, streams, rivers? in aquatic organisms such as fish, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles? The Montana Lab welcome motivate undergraduates with great interest in getting hands on research experience working on the field or lab settings.
Please, contact Dr. Montana via email if you are interested in volunteering or doing an internship in her lab.