Lucas Nathan

Education Background Research Publications Curriculum Vitae

Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Office Location : 101C UPLA Building
Phone :517-432-5099
E-mail : nathanlu@msu.edu
Area of Expertise/Interest: : fisheries management, conservation biology, genetics and genomics, population dynamics, adaptive management

Education

· Ph.D. Natural Resources, University of Connecticut, 2018

· M.S. Biology, Central Michigan University, 2014

· B.S. Fisheries and Water Resources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 2012

Background

I have a background in fisheries and conservation biology, and my research uses genetics and quantitative methods to inform fisheries conservation. I received my B.S. in fisheries and water resources from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. During that time, I also was involved in research studying the genetic stock structure of Lake Whitefish in Lake Michigan and mixed stock analyses of commercial catches. While completing my master’s at Central Michigan University, I used environmental DNA (eDNA) to conduct invasive species surveys in retail bait shops across the Great Lakes to evaluate the bait trade as a potential vector of invasive species introductions. For my dissertation research at the University of Connecticut, I studied watershed-level genetic structuring of Brook Trout. I used landscape genetics models to identify gene flow barriers and developed decision support tools to identify conservation opportunities for Brook Trout across broad spatial levels. I also used individual based simulation models for a range of fisheries applications, including the evaluation of landscape genetics models in river systems, demogenetic responses to restoration actions, and hybridization dynamics. As part of my research, I frequently collaborate with a wide variety of stakeholders at local, state, and regional levels to promote conservation of native fishes.

Research

My research in the QFC at Michigan State University is focused on evaluating management strategies for invasive Grass Carp in Lake Erie. I am working with Dr. Kelly Robinson and collaborators from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey to assess the relative effectiveness of various sampling methods that can be used to inform potential removal strategies to manage Grass Carp populations. The results of this research will be incorporated into a broader Grass Carp adaptive management plan that is being developed with researchers and managers from the Great Lakes region.

Publications

· Nathan, L.R., A.B. Welsh, and J.C. Vokoun. In Review. Watershed level genetic structuring among headwater Brook Trout populations: evaluation and application of riverscape genetic models.

· Nathan, L.R., N. Mamoozadeh, H.R. Tumas, S. Gunselman, K. Klass, A. Metcalfe, C. Edge, L. Waits, P Spruell, E. Lowery, E. Connor, A. Bearlin, M.-J. Fortin, and E. Landguth. In Review. A simulation framework for evaluating fish hybridization dynamics in heterogeneous riverscapes.

· Nathan, L.R., A.A. Smith, A.B. Welsh, and J.C. Vokoun. 2018. Are culvert assessment scores an indicator of population fragmentation? Ecological Indicators 84: 208-217.

· Nathan, L.R., Y. Kanno., J.C. Vokoun. 2017. Population demographics influence genetic responses to fragmentation: A demogenetic assessment of the 'one migrant per generation' rule of thumb. Biological Conservation 210: 261-272.

· O’Connor, K.M., L.R. Nathan, M.R. Liberati, J. Vokoun, M. Tingley, T. Rittenhouse. 2017. Camera trap arrays improve detection probability of wildlife: Investigating study design considerations using an empirical dataset. PLoS ONE 12(4): e0175684.

· Driess, L., J.-M. Hessenauer, L. Nathan, K. O’Connor, M. Liberati, D.P. Kloster, J. Barclay, J.C. Vokoun, A.T. Morzillo. 2017. Adaptive Management as an Effective Strategy: Interdisciplinary Perceptions for Natural Resources Management. Environmental Management 59(2):218-229.

· Nathan, L.R., B.L. Sloss, J.A. VanDeHey, R.T. Andvik, R.M. Claramunt, S. Hansen, T.M. Sutton. 2016. Temporal stability of lake whitefish genetic stocks in Lake Michigan. Journal of Great Lakes Research 42 (2):433-439.

· Driess, L., D. Kloster, M. Liberati, J. Barclay, J.-M. Hessenauer, L. Nathan, K. O’Connor, J. Vokoun. 2015. Introducing Adaptive Management for Natural Resources: An Estuary Case Study. Natural Sciences Education 44: 1-10.

· Nathan, L.R., B.J. Wegleitner, M. Simmons, C.L. Jerde, A.R. Mahon. 2014. Quantifying environmental DNA signals for aquatic invasive species across multiple detection platforms. Environmental Science and Technology 48(21): 12800-12806.

· Nathan, L.R., C.L. Jerde, M. McVeigh, A.R. Mahon. 2014. An assessment of angler education and bait trade regulations to prevent invasive species introductions in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Management of Biological Invasions 5(4):319-326.

· Nathan, L. R., C.L. Jerde, M. Budny, A.R. Mahon. 2014. The use of environmental DNA in invasive species surveillance of the Great Lakes commercial bait trade. Conservation Biology 29(2):430-439.

· Mahon, A. R., L.R. Nathan, C.L. Jerde. 2014. Meta-genomic surveillance of invasive species in the bait trade. Conservation Genetic Resources 6(3):563-567.