Brianna Henry

M.S. Candidate
Department of Biology, University of South Dakota
brianna.henry@coyotes.usd.edu | www.briannahenry.net

Education:
2015 – 2018 (Expected) University of South Dakota: M.S. Biology
Advisor: Dr. Jeff Wesner
Title: Effects of agricultural contaminants on larval and emerging aquatic insects

2011 – 2015 Clarion University of Pennsylvania: B.S. Biology

Honors Program, Summa cum laude

Research Experience:
Graduate
▪ Bioaccumulation dynamics of uranium in the mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer
NSF Graduate Research Internship Project, January 2017- Present
▪ Effects of agricultural contaminants on larval and emerging aquatic insects
Master’s thesis, June 2015 – Present

Undergraduate
▪ Effects of atrazine on crayfish chemical cue response
Senior Thesis, Fall 2013 – Spring 2015
▪ Effects of atrazine on Orconectes rusticus chemosensory hair structure
Student Research Assistant, Fall 2014 – Spring 2015
▪ An assessment of variability in epidermal microbial communities on spotted
salamanders during mating migration
Student Research Project Leader, Fall 2014 – Spring 2015
▪ Impacts of disinfectants on the microbial communities of the spotted salamander
Student Research Assistant, Fall 2012 – Spring 2015
▪ Impact of Bisphenol A (BPA), an environmental estrogen, on zebra fish aggression
Student Research Assistant, Spring 2014 – Spring 2015
▪ Crayfish population assessment in Piney Creek, Limestone Township, Clarion County, PA
Student Research Project Leader, Fall 2012 – Spring 2013

Professional Experience:
▪ US Geological Survey, Fort Collins and Menlo Park Science Centers
Intern with NSF GRIP, January – July 2017
• Perform a variety of lab experiments to determine uptake, elimination, and
retention of uranium in the bodies of lab cultured mayflies
• Collect and preserve water, diatom, and mayfly samples for uranium analysis
• Prepare samples for analysis by acid digestion
• Analyze samples for uranium content using inductively coupled plasma mass
spectrometry (ICPMS)
• Maintain and analyze data for communication with collaborators at both science
centers
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▪ Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Water Quality

Standards
Intern, June – August 2013, December 2013 – January 2014, June – August 2014
• Serviced and calibrated continuous in-stream water quality monitors
• Aided with completion of electrofishing, sediment, periphyton, and mussel surveys
• Managed and manipulated collected data
▪ Clarion University of Pennsylvania Biology Department
Principles of Biology II Lab Preparation Aide, Spring 2014, Spring 2015
• Collected and displayed lab materials weekly
Aquatic Insects Identification Technician, contract with Western PA Conservancy, Winter
2014
• Processed and identified aquatic insect samples to genus per PA DEP guidelines

Research Grants: (Total Awarded: $146,050)

1. How do atrazine and selenium impact the link between water and land?
USD Graduate Research and Creative Scholarship Grant ($750), December 2016
2. Bioaccumulation dynamics of uranium in the mayfly Neocloeon triangulifer
NSF Graduate Research Internship Program ($5,000), August 2016
3. Evaluating the impacts of chemical stressors on larval and emerging aquatic insects
National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship ($138,000), April 2015
4. Assessing the impacts of agricultural pollutants on mayfly survival and
metamorphosis
USD Graduate Research and Creative Scholarship Grant ($500), December 2015
5. Effects of the herbicide atrazine on responses to alarm cues in crayfish
Clarion University Undergraduate Research Grant ($600), November 2014
6. Effects of the herbicide atrazine on responses to chemical cues in crayfish
Clarion University Undergraduate Research Grant ($800), November 2013
7. Crayfish population assessment in Piney Creek, Clarion County, PA
Clarion University Undergraduate Research Grant ($400), November 2012

Presentations:
1. Henry B, Wesner J. How do atrazine and selenium impact the link between water and land?
Society for Freshwater Science Annual Conference; Raleigh, NC. June 2017.
2. Henry B, Nearman C, Van Ekeren A, Wesner J. How do atrazine and selenium impact the
link between water and land? University of South Dakota IdeaFest; Vermillion, SD. April
2017.
3. Henry B, Farkas J, Wesner J, Kerby J. Effects of selenium and pesticides on aquatic-
terrestrial resource subsidies in the Prairie Potholes. North American Congress for
Conservation Biology; Madison WI. July 2016.
4. Henry B, Wesner J, Kerby J. Effects of selenium and pesticides on aquatic-terrestrial
resource subsidies in the Prairie Potholes. Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting;
Sacramento, CA. May 2016.
5. Henry B, Wesner J, Kerby J. Effects of selenium and pesticides on aquatic-terrestrial
resource subsidies in the Prairie Potholes. South Dakota Academy of Sciences; Sioux Falls,
SD. April 2016.
6. Henry B, Wesner J, Kerby J. Effects of selenium and pesticides on aquatic-terrestrial
resource subsidies in the Prairie Potholes. University of South Dakota IdeaFest; Vermillion,
SD. April 2016.
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7. Henry B. Managing water quality in big rivers: Challenges and solutions. University of South
Dakota, Department of Biology, BIOL 442/542: Introduction to River Studies; Vermillion,
SD. April 2016.
8. Henry B. Contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. University of South Dakota, Department of
Biology, BIOL 412/512: Freshwater Ecology; Vermillion, SD. March 2016.
9. Henry B, Berry R, Fazio E, Kovacs K, Keth A. Effects of atrazine on crayfish chemical cue
response. International Congress for Conservation Biology; Montpellier, France. August
2015.
10. Henry B, Berry R, Fazio E, Kovacs K, Keth A. Effects of atrazine on crayfish chemical cue
response. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania University Biologists’ Meeting; Mansfield, PA.
April 2015.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships:

Fall 2016 USD Graduate Student Travel Award
2015 – 2018 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
Spring 2015 France Allison Award for Outstanding Senior Presentation
Spring 2015 Commonwealth of PA University Biologists’ Outstanding Student Award
2014 – 2015 Coldwater Conservation Scholarship

Service and Outreach:

▪ Society for Conservation Biology Chapters Committee
Online Media Coordinator, August 2016 – Present
• Manage social media accounts to provide updates on SCB’s chapter-related activities
• Aid chapter leaders globally with their online needs such as listservs, social media,
and blogs
• Develop effective methods for chapter leaders to communicate with one another
about successes and challenges
▪ Society for Freshwater Science Instars Program
Mentor, 2016 annual meeting
• Provided guidance to undergraduates from underrepresented communities during
the SFS annual meeting
• Arranged daily check-ins with students during the meeting, and helped to choose
talks to attend
▪ North America Congress for Conservation Biology
Abstract Reviewer, 2016
▪ International Congress for Conservation Biology
Abstract Reviewer, 2017
▪ Society for Freshwater Science Annual Meeting
Undergraduate Poster Judge, 2016 & 2017
▪ Acorn Academy Field Trip to USD
Organizer and Station Leader, October 2016
• Developed material for three interactive stations to educate students in grades K-5
on aquatic insects, metamorphosis, and water pollution
• Taught a 30-minute lesson about water pollution to two groups of 10-15 students
▪ It’s all about Science Festival
Booth Team Member, June 2016
• Collected and displayed a variety of live aquatic invertebrates at this annual festival
• Greeted and provided families attending the event with information about the
animals on display
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▪ Beyond School Adventures Science Program

Guest Speaker, November 2015
• Developed and taught 45 minute lessons appropriate for grades K-2 and 3-5 about
water pollution and aquatic insect metamorphosis during after school programs
▪ “A Day in the Water” Science Program
Invertebrate Guide, October 2015
• Collected live aquatic invertebrates and taught pre-school students about their lives
underwater
▪ Western Pennsylvania Conservation Conference
Founder and Organizer, Fall 2013 - Fall 2014
• Contacted and invited speakers and attendees
• Planned programming and orchestrated presentations
• Moderated spoken sessions and discussion panel