معرفی
Dr. Brook Fluker serves as Associate Professor of Aquatic Ecology and Curator of Fishes at Arkansas State University within the Beck College of Sciences & Mathematics and Department of Biological Sciences, focusing on freshwater biodiversity conservation in the southeastern United States.
His academic credentials include:
- Ph.D. in Biology from University of Alabama (2011)
- M.S. in Biology from University of Louisiana at Monroe (2006)
- B.S. in Biology from Henderson State University (2000)
Dr. Fluker's research integrates phylogenetics, phylogeography, population genetics, and ecology to address fundamental questions about aquatic biodiversity origins and trajectories. His lab investigates species diversification, conservation needs of threatened freshwater organisms, and anthropogenic impacts on gene flow through landscape genetic approaches. Key projects examine endemic fishes like the Caddo Madtom and Trispot Darter using genomic tools to define management units for state and federal conservation planning.
Recent publications (2014-2024) demonstrate consistent expertise in freshwater fish conservation genetics, with emphasis on darter systematics, population structure analysis, and human impact assessment in the Ouachita Highlands. His work combines molecular data with ecological field studies to address species boundaries and habitat connectivity challenges.
Dr. Fluker actively mentors graduate students in Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences programs, with recent advisees including PhD candidate Brian Okwiri (co-advised with Drew Sweet) and recent graduates Dr. Brittany McCall (PhD, 2023) and Anna Pieri (MS, 2022, co-advised with Jennifer Bouldin). His lab secures targeted funding for biodiversity conservation initiatives.
- Current PhD student: Brian Okwiri
- Recent PhD graduate: Brittany McCall
- Recent MS graduate: Anna Pieri
The Fluker Lab conducts field research across southeastern aquatic habitats from groundwater seeps to large rivers, maintaining active collaborations with John L. Harris on freshwater mussels and participating in regional conservation efforts like the Caddo Madtom snorkel sampling project with summer interns.
