Allen F. Mensinger

Allen F. Mensinger is a Professor and Department Head at the Swenson College of Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth. He also serves as REU Program Coordinator and conducts research at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA during summers.

• B.S., 1983, Duke University
• Ph.D., 1991, University of California Santa Barbara

The Mensinger Lab investigates neural mechanisms of behavior in fish, focusing on how they detect, integrate, and respond to environmental cues. Research combines neurophysiology with ecological and behavioral studies, including lateral line sensitivity, optic nerve regeneration, and invasive species interactions. The lab developed implantable electrodes for telemetry in free-swimming fish and collaborates with the Department of Natural Resources and USGS to apply findings to invasive species management.

Key research trends include bioacoustics for deterring carp movement, sensory physiology in toadfish, and visual adaptations in Lake Superior fish. Publications address multimodal sensory integration, auditory systems, and ecological impacts of invasive species.

Graduate and undergraduate students in the lab work on diverse projects such as predator-prey interactions, nerve regeneration, and mariculture. Recent students include Megan Lambie, Leah Glimsdahl, and Noland Michels, who transitioned to USGS after completing his PhD.

Current extramural support includes NSF grants for sound localization studies and REU programs, along with funding from the Minnesota Environmental Trust Fund for carp deterrence research. The lab also deploys hydrophones and underwater cameras in the Boundary Waters Wilderness Area for environmental noise studies.