Emily Ann Szott

Emily Ann Szott serves as an Assistant Research Scientist in Large River Fish Ecology at the Illinois Natural History Survey, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her work focuses on invasive fish species dynamics in major river systems, particularly Asian carp and bigheaded carp in the Mississippi River basin, combining field ecology with biometric analysis techniques.

Her primary research interests include fish ecology, invasive species management, and otolith analysis for age determination in young-of-the-year fish. She investigates spawning behavior through light trapping methodologies and examines ecological impacts of river regulation infrastructure. A secondary research thread explores disease transmission pathways in marine mammal communities, as evidenced by her work on dolphin social networks in Florida estuaries.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on invasive carp ecology, with methodological innovation in otolith increment quantification and spawning detection. Her 2024 study demonstrates how dam operations accelerate fish migration, while 2022-2023 work details carp spawning events using light trapping. The recurring themes across her scholarship include biometric validation techniques, river ecosystem management, and invasive species control strategies.

Dr. Szott operates within the Large River Fish Ecology research group at the Illinois Natural History Survey, collaborating extensively with federal and state agencies on fisheries management projects targeting invasive species containment in North American waterways.