Undergraduate Researcher: Matt Wegener

Asian carp are non-native species to North America and have spread throughout the Mississippi River drainage. As with many other exotic species, these fish could potentially cause negative economic and environmental impacts to the regions they inhabit. The Illinois River is an important waterway that connects the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes and supports commercial fisheries and native fish assemblages. The goal of my project was to determine age structure and calculate growth and mortality rates of adult silver carp and bighead carp in the Illinois River. These age and growth data may reveal ways in which Asian carp are becoming established in the Illinois River and therefore aid in controlling the spread of these species and preventing further environmental and economic impairment.

Research is the key ingredient in advancing our knowledge in most areas of science. The REACH program not only helped fund this research but also offered a way to present my finding to the public. This experience confirmed my ability to tackle a large project and to meet a deadline, but more importantly I was able to participate in something I enjoyed and also educate the public about a growing problem in our waterways.

—Matt Wegener