Joel Wixson

Focus Areas:

Country of Origin: United States

Degree Program: PhD

Entered Program: Fall 2023

Expected Graduation: Spring 2027

Dissertation Topic: Utilization of Riverine Habitat by Etheostomatine fishes: Review of the Literature, Morphological Adaptations, Catchment Basin Influences, and In-Stream investigations.

Research Statement: I am interested in understanding the spatial and temporal organization of darters (Etheostomatinae) in riverine systems, especially how habitat use, and preference can be predicted based on morphological characteristics and catchment basin variables.  My research includes a multiscale analysis that will look at habitat associations in darters in general and concludes with a focus on endemic darter species within the Santa Fe River in North-Central Florida.  Through the application of geospatial tools, river geomorphology principles, field research, and riverine fish ecology, I hope to gain a better understanding of the habitat use and preference for endemic darter species.  The goal of my research is to provide analytical techniques and tools to aid in the conservation efforts for this diverse group of endemic fish species.

Adviser: Dr. Joann Mossa

Educational Background

  • M.S. in Zoology, University of Florida, 2013
  • B.S. in Fishery Biology and Mathematics, Colorado State University, 2005