Contact Information
Urbana, Illinois 61801
Biography
The research in my lab can be defined as ‘ecological physiology’ as I combine laboratory and field studies to determine the ecological and physiological mechanisms that control abundance and distribution in freshwater aquatic organisms.
While my research is grounded in basic biology, many of my projects work to generate novel conservation strategies to protect freshwater ecosystems. Freshwater fishes are an ideal model system for this research because their diversity and abundance provides me with opportunity to examine these issues while considering evolutionary and trophic relationships.
Research Interests
The theme that ties all of our research projects together is conservation. Our group works to develop scientifically-sound conservation strategies to protect and enhance fisheries resources. Typically, this involves defining how individual fish or fish populations respond to external stressors, and then using this knowledge to develop sustainable conservation strategies
Research projects we perform encompass a range of levels of organization, with a focus on animal physiology. More specifically, research projects in our group can include responses such as how different genes respond to stressors, but can also include monitoring the movement of free-swimming animals in the wild with remote telemetry. Projects typically include a mix of field and laboratory components, as well as a mix of 'basic' and 'applied' science.
Additional Campus Affiliations
Professor, Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Professor, Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment
Professor, Prairie Research Institute
Professor, Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Recent Publications
Bennett, A. J., Suski, C. D., & O’keefe, J. M. (2025). Molecular epidemiology of Eimeria spp. parasites and the faecal microbiome of Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis): a non-invasive, multiplex metabarcode survey of an endangered species. Microbial genomics, 11(2), Article 001358. https://doi.org/10.1099/mgen.0.001358
Dennis, C. E., & Suski, C. D. (2025). Coupling carbon dioxide gas within a bubble curtain enhances its effectiveness to deter fish. Biological Invasions, 27(2), Article 79. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-025-03539-y
Hay, A. A., Glomb, J. C., Oller, R. E., & Suski, C. D. (2025). Quantifying the impact of temperature variation in live wells on Largemouth Bass. North American Journal of Fisheries Management, 45(2), 309-321. https://doi.org/10.1093/najfmt/vqaf016
Hay, A. A., Oller, R. E., Glomb, J. C., & Suski, C. D. (2025). Seasonal Variation in Responses of Largemouth Bass (Micropterus nigricans) Caught During Live-Release Angling Tournaments. Fisheries Management and Ecology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12785
Bieber, J. F., MacDougall-Shackleton, S. A., & Suski, C. D. (2024). Food availability influences angling vulnerability in muskellunge. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 31(1), Article e12657. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12657