In Missouri, we take our waterways seriously. With many lakes and rivers available for fishing, swimming boating and other recreational relaxation, protecting our water quality and biodiversity is important.

Dr. Chris Barnhart, distinguished professor of biology, is on a mission to protect rivers using a surprising tool: freshwater mussels, which are sensitive indicators of environmental health. Dr. Louise Lavictoire, of University of Cumbria in the United Kingdom, is also dedicated to this cause, which is why she will be joining us at Missouri State University.

Lavictoire is the Senior Pearl Mussel Office at Freshwater Biological Association in the UK. She will be here to collaborate with Barnhart on a research project about the development and feeding ecology of freshwater mussels.

Lavictoire, a Fulbright scholar, will arrive at the end of August and be here for nine months. Welcome to campus!

Learn about Barnhart and Lavictoire’s research.