College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Background:

Erin E. Collins studied ecology and wildlife management at Michigan Technological University. She conducted her PhD research on Antarctic sea spider systematics and phylogeography at Central Michigan University. She subsequently worked as a fisheries geneticist for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, where she investigated the genetic mechanisms associated with the migration of steelhead and Chinook salmon in the Columbia River Basin. She then researched the conservation genomics of Chinook salmon in California's Central Valley and of steelhead in British Columbia as a postdoctoral research associate in Dr. Meek's lab at Michigan State University. 

Research:

Erin's research interests lie in using genetic tools to uncover diversity, population dynamics, and presence of invasive species to aid conservation efforts of imperiled organisms. In her current postdoctoral appointment in the Booth and Homola labs, she uses environmental DNA for early detection and rapid response of aquatic invasive species in inland lakes of southwestern Michigan and northeastern Indiana. She leads field sampling to deploy eDNA metabarcoding for invasive crayfish surveillance, validates a qPCR marker for Hydrilla verticillata, and contributes to the development of communication tools to improve eDNA literacy among stakeholders and managers. 

Website: 

https://eecollins.wixsite.com/research