Andrew K. Rasmussen

Dr. Andrew K. Rasmussen is a Research Assistant Professor of aquatic entomology at Florida A&M University, affiliated with the Center for Water Resources. His research focuses on aquatic insect taxonomy, water quality bioassessment, and conservation of caddisflies (Trichoptera). He leads the Trichoptera Nearctica project, a web-based resource documenting North American caddisfly biodiversity. His work has been funded by USDA, Florida DEP, and other agencies. Dr. Rasmussen teaches courses in entomology and ecology, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students in research.

Educations: Ph.D. in Entomology from University of Florida/Florida A&M University (2004), M.Ed. in Science Education (University of Florida, 1988), B.S. in Water Resources/Biology (University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 1987).

Research Interests: Dr. Rasmussen specializes in the systematics of Trichoptera, particularly documenting new species and their distributions. His work integrates field surveys, morphological taxonomy, and molecular data to enhance conservation efforts. He emphasizes applied research for ecological monitoring and land use impacts through watershed modeling projects.

Grants: Secured a USDA grant (2020-2023) totaling $299,131 for watershed modeling using aquatic indicator species to study climate change impacts. Additional funding from state and federal agencies supports his biodiversity surveys and taxonomic revisions.

Labs/Teams: Maintains the FAMU aquatic insect collection and collaborates on the Trichoptera Nearctica database, a critical tool for researchers and conservationists. His work spans Florida ecosystems and broader North American studies.