Zooplankton Identification and Measurement

Zooplankton are a critical food resource for juvenile river herring in freshwater lakes and coves. This project aims to quantify zooplankton to understand relationships between food resources, river herring growth, and river herring emigration from nursery habitats. The students will learn how to process and identify different types of zooplankton using a compound microscope to assess composition and density in freshwater samples.

Name of research group, project, or lab
Jordaan Lab
Why participate in this opportunity?

Provides a hands-on learning experience in an active lab setting working directly with samples to learn zooplankton identification while contributing data to numerous research projects.  Techniques and experiences learned while working with the lab can be applied to various other projects throughout the participant's career, and may be great resume builders.  Opportunities for independent research projects may also be available for motivated candidates. 

Logistics Information:
Subject Category
Biology
Ecology
Environmental Science
Natural Resources Conservation
Student ranks applicable
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications

Familiarity with microscopes and dichotomous keys. Attention to detail. Task-specific training will be provided.

Time commitment
5-7 h/wk
8-10 h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Research - Independent Study or Research Assistant credit
Research - Paid, Work-Study Required
Number of openings
6
Techniques learned

Microscope use and zooplankton identification. 

Project start
9/2/2025
Contact Information:
Mentors
rpcusick@umass.edu
Graduate Student
rdorroh@umass.edu
Graduate Student
abigailblair@umass.edu
Graduate Student
Name of project director or principal investigator
Dr. Allison Roy
Email address of project director or principal investigator
aroy@eco.umass.edu
6 sp. | 10 appl.
Hours
5-7 h/wk (+1)
5-7 h/wk8-10 h/wk
Project categories
Ecology (+3)
BiologyEcologyEnvironmental ScienceNatural Resources Conservation