Kody F. Kuehnl

Aquatic Ecology Laboratory
223 Research Center
1314 Kinnear Road
Columbus, OH 43212-1156
Phone: 614.292.1613
FAX: 614.292.0181

Email: kuehnl.2“at” osu.edu
 

REASEARCH INTERESTS:

My current research interests focus on the conservation of aquatic organisms, particularly freshwater mussels (Family Unionidae).  Using various molecular techniques my PhD research seeks to determine 1) the relationships of the species within the genus Villosa and 2) the amount of genetic variability present in Villosa iris, across the species’ range.  My research also focuses on general ecology (e.g. host fish identification, diet analysis), habitat restoration, health assessment, and captive propagation and reintroduction of endangered and threatened unionids.  This research is primarily conducted at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research Center
located in Shawnee Hills, Ohio.  I am also interested in the impact of exotic species on aquatic systems, particularly Corbicula fluminea and Dreissena polymorpha.

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. In progress. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Major: Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology.
Advisors: Drs. G. Thomas Watters and MaryMegan Daly
Dissertation title: Exploring levels of genetic variation in the genus Villosa at different spatial and temporal scales.

M.S. 2002. Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.
Major: Integrative Biology/Aquatic Ecology.
Advisor: Drs. C. Riley Nelson and Richard Baumann
Thesis title: The Haliplidae of Utah; Taxonomy and Biogeography

B.S. 1999. University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Majors: Biology and Wildlife Management, Minors: Water Resources and Chemistry
Advisor: Stan Szczytko

Kody Kuehnl and Trisha Menker-Gibson get ready to submerge an experimental cage containing endangered Northern Riffleshell in Big Darby Creek.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Graduate Research Associate. 2002-present. Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology (EEOB), The Ohio State University (OSU).

Graduate Teaching Associate. 2003, 2007. EEOB, OSU. Mammalogy  (EEOB 625)

Adjunct Faculty.  2002-2003. Columbus State Community College, Biological and Physical Sciences, Columbus, Ohio.

Graduate Teaching Associate. 2000-2002. Integrative Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.  Ecology,  Animal Diversity, Aquatic Entomology.

Graduate Research Associate. 1999, 2001. Integrative Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah.

RESEARCH:

An Intraspecific phylogeographic analysis of the rainbow mussel, Villosa iris (Bivalvia: Unionidae). Collaborators: G. Thomas Watters, H. Lisle Gibbs, MaryMegan Daly. Funded by Ohio Department of Natural Resources,  2003-present.

A phylogenetic analysis of the genus Villosa using mitochondrial and nuclear DNA. Collaborators: G. Thomas Watters, H. Lisle Gibbs, MaryMegan Daly, and W. Randy Hoeh. Funded by Funded by Ohio Department of Natural Resources. 2003-present.

HONORS AND AWARDS:

Darwin Award. 2006. Best graduate student presentation for Darwin departmental seminar, EEOB, OSU.

Julia Greenwell Award, Brigham Young Univeristy, Provo, Utah, 2001.

Safari International Scholarship – Badgerland Chapter, Department of Natural Resources, UWSP, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 2000.

Manitowoc County Conservation Scholarship, 2000.

Peter M. Haupt Memorial Scholarship, Department of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 2000.

Royal Anderson Ecology Award, Departement of Biology, UWSP, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, 1999.

Erol Epple Ornithology Award, Departement of Biology, UWSP, Stevens Point,

Wisconsin, 1998.

Whitetails Unlimited Scholarship – Marshfield Chapter, 1998

Sheybogan County Audubon Society Scholarship, 1998.

Marshfield Sportsman’s Club Scholarship, 1997.

Manitowoc County Fish and Game Scholarship, 1996.

PUBLICATIONS:

Wiersema, N.A., C.R. Nelson, and K.F. Kuehnl.  2005.  A new small minnow mayfly (Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) from Utah, U.S.A.  Entomological News.  115(3):145-151

Watters, G.T., K.F. Kuehnl, R.J. Trdan, J.M. Walker, and W.R. Hoeh. (In Review) Intraspecific polymorphism in host attracting structures and simultaneous hermaphroditism in Toxolasma parvus (Barnes, 1823) (Unionidae): Adaptations for colonization. Submitted to Malacologia.

Kuehnl, K.F., R.W. Baumann, and C.R. Nelson. (In Review).  The Haliplidae of Utah;

Taxonomy and Biogeography.  Submitted to Western North American Naturalist.

Kuehnl, K.F. and G. Thomas Watters (In review).  Augmentation and reintroduction plan for the clubshell

(Pleurobema clava) and northern riffleshell (Epioblasma torulosa rangiana) in Illinois and Ohio. Technical Report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

Reviewer: Conservation Genetics, Molecular Ecology.
Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society – genetics subcommittee, 2005-present
Oral Presentation Judge. 2004. 104th Annual Meeting of the American Fisheries Society.

(This page last updated Jan 2007)