My Story
Hi, my name is Jenna Ruoss and I am currently working on my PhD studying pallid sturgeon use in the lower Platte River using acoustic telemetry, with Dr. Mark Pegg and Dr. Jonathan Spurgeon as my co-advisors. My journey to fisheries has been a winding road, and one that I did not see coming. In undergrad, where I started my research career, I worked on a project in which the goal was to construct an aquatic food web that incorporated fish parasites. This project was the first time I had seined or used a backpack electrofisher to survey fish communities in streams. However, my interest in fisheries did not truly start there as I was more interested in the parasites of the fish. My love for fisheries started while attending graduate school at Ball State University where I completed my Master’s in Biology. My project examined how fish communities and their associated parasites were shaped by the surrounding land-use. While staring at a rainbow darter, one of my favorite fish, I became fascinated with fish ecology/biology and have become passionate about the field ever since. After graduate school I worked as a seasonal fisheries technician at Midwest Biodiversity Institute and then moved on to a conservation technican II position with Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. I have since gained a deep appreciation for native fish species, and thus am extremely excited to work with the endangered pallid sturgeon.
When I’m not in the lab/field, you’ll find me rock climbing, hiking, fishing, or simply walking my dog, Chance!
