Christine M. Mayer

Dr. Christine M. Mayer is a Professor of Ecology in the Department of Environmental Sciences within the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at the University of Toledo. She serves as a Resident Faculty Member at the UToledo Lake Erie Center, where she conducts extensive research on aquatic ecosystems of the Great Lakes region, with particular focus on Lake Erie and its tributaries. Her work bridges ecological theory with practical conservation and management applications.

Dr. Mayer received her Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1998 and completed both her B.S. and M.S. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her educational background in ecology and environmental sciences has provided a strong foundation for her research career focused on freshwater ecosystems.

Dr. Mayer's research centers on applied community and ecosystem ecology in aquatic systems, with emphasis on conservation and management of aquatic species and habitats impacted by human activities. Her primary research areas include fish and invertebrate ecology, aquatic habitats, and invasive species. She leads projects investigating critical fish habitat in Western Lake Erie and tributaries, nearshore community dynamics related to shoreline features, grass carp spawning and ecological impacts, and the role of dreissenid mussels as ecosystem engineers. Her work combines field studies, modeling approaches, and collaborative research to address pressing ecological questions in freshwater systems.

Analysis of Dr. Mayer's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on Great Lakes ecology, particularly Lake Erie and its connecting rivers. Her research shows increasing attention to invasive species management, especially regarding grass carp, and habitat restoration efforts for native fish species like walleye and lake sturgeon. Methodologically, her work integrates traditional field ecology with advanced statistical approaches and modeling techniques to address complex ecological questions.

Dr. Mayer has received significant research funding from multiple agencies supporting her work on Great Lakes ecosystems:

• NOAA SeaGrant for research on fish habitat and spawning
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources (DNR-DOW) for various projects
• US Geological Survey (USGS) for ecological studies
• Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) for habitat restoration work
• New York SeaGrant for dreissenid mussel research
• Lake Erie Protection Fund for ecosystem studies
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA-GLRI) for Great Lakes research

Throughout her career, Dr. Mayer has mentored numerous graduate students who have contributed significantly to her research programs. Her former graduate researchers include Jeremy Pritt, Mark DuFour, Brian Schmidt, Jason Ross, Rachel Kuhaneck, Martin Simonson, Kristen DeVanna, and Patricia Armenio. These students have worked on diverse projects ranging from walleye habitat assessment to dreissenid mussel impacts on benthic communities. Dr. Mayer collaborates extensively with researchers from other institutions including DOW, USGS, NOAA, Bowling Green State University, and Ohio State University, demonstrating her commitment to interdisciplinary and collaborative science.

Dr. Mayer leads the Aquatic Ecology Lab at the University of Toledo, which is closely affiliated with the UToledo Lake Erie Center. Her research team conducts field work throughout the Great Lakes region, with particular focus on Lake Erie and its tributaries including the Maumee, Sandusky, and Detroit Rivers. Current projects involve assessing barriers to migratory fish, documenting invasive species spawning, evaluating habitat restoration efforts, and studying the ecological impacts of dreissenid mussels. The lab employs a range of methodologies including field surveys, experimental studies, hydrodynamic modeling, and statistical analysis to address complex ecological questions with management relevance.