Ackerman Lab
Ackerman Lab
Rockwood lake

Events

Current events:

Congratulations to:

members of SARnet
Member of SARnet

PhD and MSc positions available for Fall 2026 entry:
Please contact me about funded MSc and PhD positions in these areas

  1. Physical ecology of freshwater mussels/macroinvertebrates:
  2. Physical ecology of photosynthesis in aquatic macrophytes:
  3. Physical ecology of planktonic (including ichthyoplankton) trophic ecology:
  4. Aquatic Sciences/Limnology:

Past Events!

  • Completed Theses (Recent):
  • PhD Completed !!:
    • Christopher Farrow (2024) Determining the dominant biological and hydrodynamic factors affecting passive dispersal in rivers.
    • Shaylah Tuttle-Raycraft (2018) The influence of seston concentration on suspension feeding unionid mussels.
  • MSc Completed !!:
    • Sydney Todd (2024) Effects of hydrodynamics on unionid suspension feeding and nutrients
    • Keoni Chong (2024) Navigating turbulence: The effects of eddy size on the swimming performance of walleye (Sander vitreus) larvae
    • Jake Carman (2023) Relative size matters: Identifying how the sizing and spacing of spawning substrate roughness affects walleye (Sander vitreus) egg displacement.
    • Al Lu (2023) Effect of riparian vegetation buffers on unionid mussel habitats.
    • Luc Goulet (2022) The effects of hydrodynamics on the feeding of a freshwater grazer (Daphnia magna): The influence of particle size and shape.
    • Stephanie Smodis (2022) Temporal dynamics of freshwater mussel larvae.
    • Emile Sabeti-Mehr (2022) One shell to rule them all? Evaluating hydrodynamic trade-offs due to positioning in freshwater mussels.
    • Kirsten Luck (2020) The effect of multiple stressors on the ecophysiology of Lampsilis siliquoidea: Effects and interactions among water temperature, velocity and suspended solid concentration
    • Julian Lum (2020) Bed shear stress as a predictor of juvenile unionid habitat
    • Victor Fung (2019) Effects of Porewater Flow on Interstitial Algal Composition and Juvenile Unionid Mussel Feeding
    • Chris Farrow (2018): The effect of river-borne phosphorus loading on the phytoplankton community of Nottawasaga Bay
    • Katherine Tran (2017): Selective Feeding of Freshwater Mussels: Implications for Resource Partitioning
    • Kyle Sewak (2017): The effects of collector elasticity on particle capture efficiency
    • Lisa Harris (2015): The effect of water velocity on carbon isotope fractionation of aquatic macrophytes
    • Dori Gao (2015): The effects of collector motion on particle capture: Lab studies and wind pollination in the field.
    • Rakesh Mistry (2015): Suspension Feeding of Juvenile and adult Freshwater Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) Under Flowing Conditions
  • Papers Published by Lab Members (Recent):
    • Chong, K.J., Y. Zhao, and J.D. Ackerman. 2025. Navigating turbulence: the effects of eddy size on the swimming performance of walleye (Sander vitreus) larvae. Journal of Experimental Biology. jeb.250930. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.250930
    • Lum, J., T. Morris, and J.D. Ackerman. 2025.  Does local bed shear stress predict the occurrence of freshwater mussel? Ecohydrology. 18: e70112. https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.70112
    • Smodis, S., T.J. Morris, and J.D. Ackerman. 2025. Evidence that freshwater mussels attempt temporal partitioning of their host fishes. Scientific Reports. 15: 34448. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-17584-z
    • Farrow, C.R., L.-T. Lim, T.J. Morris, and J.D. Ackerman. 2025. Size matters: Effects of propagule size on dispersal in rivers. Water Resources Research. 61: e2024WR039620. doi.org/10.1029/2024WR039620
    • Farrow, C.R., L-T Lim, and J.D. Ackerman. 2025. Propagules go with the flow: Near field particle dispersion in reaches with different hydrodynamic conditions. Limnology and Oceanography. 70: 305-318. doi.org/10.1002/lno.12760
    • Goulet, L., W.J.S. Currie, and J.D. Ackerman. 2024. The effect of vorticity on the feeding of a freshwater grazer. Limnology and Oceanography. 69: S54–S66 + Supplemental Videos S1-S5. doi.org/10.1002/lno.12590
    • Carman, J., Zhao, Y. and J.D. Ackerman. 2024. Relative size matters: Spawning substrate roughness size and spacing affect egg dislodgement and retention in the benthos. Limnology and Oceanography 69: 2867-2880. doi.org/10.1002/lno.12715
    • Lu, A., T.J. Morris and J.D. Ackerman. 2024. Effect of riparian vegetation buffers on unionid mussel habitats. Science of the Total Environment 956: 177121.(14 pages + Supplemental). doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177121
    • Ackerman, J.D., G.J. Smith, L. Boegman, and Y.R. Rao. 2024. Spatial and temporal dynamics of near-bottom dissolved oxygen in the central basin of Lake Erie. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management 27:5-18 + Supplemental. doi.org/10.14321/aehm.027.01.05
    • Sewak, K., M. Hassan, and J.D. Ackerman. 2024. Fluid-structure interaction of flexible collectors affects particle capture efficiency at ecologically relevant collector Reynolds numbers. Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering: Fluid Mechanics. 10: 1411361.
    • Farrow, C.R., L-T Lim, and J.D. Ackerman. 2022. Environmentally friendly microbeads to model the dispersal of particulates in aquatic systems. Science of the Total Environment 842:156680
    • Jabbari, A., R. Valipour, J.D. Ackerman, and Y.R. Rao. 2023. Nearshore-offshore exchanges by enhanced turbulent mixing along the north shore of Lake Ontario. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 49(3):596-607.
    • Farrow, C.R., L-T Lim, and J.D. Ackerman. 2022. Environmentally friendly microbeads to model the dispersal of particulates in aquatic systems. Science of the Total Environment 842:156680 (12 pages + Supplemental). doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156680.
    • Luck, J., and J.D. Ackerman. 2022. Threats to freshwater mussels: The interactions of water temperature, velocity and total suspended solids on ecophysiology and growth. Science of the Total Environment. 821: 153101 (10 pages + Supplemental). doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153101
    • Castañeda,R.A., J.D. Ackerman,L. Chapman, S. Cooke, K. Cuddington, A. Dextrase, D. Jackson, M. Koops, M. Krkošek, K. Loftus, N. Mandrak, A. Martel, P. Molnar, T. Morris, T. Pitcher, M. Poesch, M. Power, T. Prattt, S. Reid, M. Rodriguez, J. Rosenfeld C. Wilson, D. Zanatta, and A. Drake. 2021. Approaches and research needs for advancing the protection and recovery of imperilled freshwater fishes and mussels in Canada. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences.       78: 1356–1370. doi.org/10.1139/cjfas-2020-0374
    • Jabbari, A., K. Yanase, and J.D. Ackerman. 2021. A spanwise oscillating plate in a crossflow: Implication for mass transfer and locomotion. Limnology and Oceanography 66:3393–3407.  doi.org: 10.1002/lno.11886
    • Jabbari, A., Ackerman, J.D., Boegman, L. and Yingming Ying. 2021. Increases in Great Lake winds and extreme events facilitate interbasin coupling and reduce water quality in Lake Erie. Sci Rep 11, 5733. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84961-9
    • Tuttle-Raycraft, S. and J.D. Ackerman. 2020. Evidence of phenotypic plasticity in the response of unionid mussels to turbidity. Freshwater Biology. 65: 1989–1996. doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13595
    • Fung, V. and J.D. Ackerman. 2020.The effects of river algae and porewater flow on the feeding of juvenile mussels. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences 125: e2019JG005302. doi.org/10.1029/2019JG005302
    • Farrow, C., J.D. Ackerman, R.E.H. Smith, and D. Snider. 2020. Riverine transport and nutrient inputs affect phytoplankton communities in a coastal embayment.  Freshwater Biology. 65: 289–303 + 9 supplemental.doi.org/10.1111/fwb.13421
    • Tuttle-Raycraft, S., and J.D. Ackerman. 2019.  Living the high turbidity life: The effects of TSS, flow and gill morphology on mussel feeding. Limnology and Oceanography 64: 2526 – 2537. doi.org/10.1002/lno.11202.
    • Nishizaki, M.T. and J.D. Ackerman. 2019 Settlement and recruitment of pelagic larvae to benthic habitats. Encyclopedia of Water: Science, Technology, and Society. Wiley, New York. doi.org/10.1002/9781119300762.wsts0228.
    • Jabbari, A. J.D. Ackerman, L. Boegman, and Y. Zhao. 2019. Episodic hypoxia in the western basin of Lake Erie. Limnology and Oceanography 64: 2220–2236 doi.org/10.1002/lno.11180.
    • Mistry, R. and J.D. Ackerman. 2018. Flow, flux and feeding in freshwater mussels. Water Resources Research 54:7619–7630
    • Tuttle-Raycraft, S., and J.D. Ackerman. 2018. Does size matter? Particle size vs. quality in bivalve suspension feeding. Freshwater Biology 63:1560-1568.
    • McCombe, D. and J.D. Ackerman. 2018. Collector Motion Affects Particle Capture in Physical Models and in Wind Pollination. The American Naturalist 192:81-93 + 3 suppl.
    • Tuttle-Raycraft, S., T.J. Morris and J.D. Ackerman.  2017. Suspended solid concentration reduces feeding in freshwater mussels. Science of the Total Environment 598:1160-1168
    • Nishizaki, M.T. and J.D. Ackerman.  2017. Mussels blow rings:  Jet behavior affects local mixing. Limnology and Oceanography 62:125–136
    • Mistry, R. and J.D. Ackerman. 2016. Algal flux affects the clearance rates of recently metamorphosed freshwater mussels. Aquatic Sciences 79:139–148
    • Tremblay, M.E., T. Morris, and J.D. Ackerman. 2016. Loss of reproductive output caused by an invasive species. Royal Society Open Science 3: 150481.

  • Selected International Talks Delivered By Lab Member:
    •  Ackerman, J.D., J. Carman, and Y. Zhao. 2025.Physical-biological interactions in the benthos: Dislodgement of Walleye eggs. 27th Annual International Workshop on Physical Processes in Natural Waters (PPNW), July 2025, Kingston.
    • 2025: 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) (Milwaukee, May)
      • Farrow, C.R. and J.D. Ackerman. 2025. Estimating algal biovolume using imaging flow cytometry. 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2025, Milwaukee.
      • Neave, S. and J.D. Ackerman. 2025. The influence of turbulence on fertilization success and embryo development in dreissenid mussels. 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2025, Milwaukee.
      • Gordon, M. and J.D. Ackerman. 2025. The influence of hydrodynamics on the feeding of a freshwater zooplankton, Daphnia magna. 68th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2025, Milwaukee.
    • 2024: 67th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) (Windsor; May):
    • 2023: 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) (Toronto; May):
      • Goulet, L., J.D. Ackerman (Session Chair), and W.J.S. Currie. 2023. The effect of turbulence on the feeding of a freshwater grazer (Daphnia magna): The influence of algal size and shape. 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2023, Toronto.
      • Beigzali, N., L. Boegman, Y. Zho, and J.D. Ackerman. 2023. Three-dimensional simulation of walleye habitat in Lake Erie for management of quota allocation. 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2023, Toronto.
      • Lu, Al, J.D. Ackerman, and T. Morris. 2023. Buffering success: assessing the effect of riparian vegetation buffers on juvenile unionid mussel habitats. 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2023, Toronto.
      • Chong, K., Y. Zhao, and J.D. Ackerman. 2023. Linking hydrodynamics to foraging: The swimming and feeding of walleye larvae (Sander vitreus) in turbulent flows. 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2023, Toronto.
      • Shi, W., L. Boegman, S.L. Shan, Y. Zhao, A. Jabbari, J.D. Ackerman, Z. Amodin, T. Yang, and E. Roseman. 2023. Identifying hatching locations of Walleye in Lake Erie with a backward particle tracking model. 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2023, Toronto.
      • Farrow, C.R., J.D. Ackerman, and L-T Lim. 2023. Physical modelling of dispersal in Grand River watershed tributaries with different hydrodynamic conditions. 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2023, Toronto.
      • Jabbari, A., R. Valipour, J.D. Ackerman and Y.R. Rao. 2023. Nearshore-offshore exchanges by enhanced turbulent mixing along the north shore of Lake Ontario. 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2023, Toronto.
      • Carman, J., J.D. Ackerman, and Y. Zhao. 2023. Spawning Habitat and Roughness Flows: Impacts on Walleye (Sander vitreus) Egg Displacement and Survival Likelihood. 66th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2023, Toronto.
    • 2022: 65th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR)/Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting (Grand Rapids; May):
      • Boegman L, Wang Q, Nakhaei N*, Ackerman J.D., 2022.  Long-term simulation of Lake Erie hydrodynamics and biogeochemistry. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting 2022, Grand Rapids, MI, May 2022.
      • Ackerman, J.D., A. Jabbari, L. Boegman, and Y. Zhao, 2022.  The Effect of Climate Change on the Physical Dynamics of Lake Erie and thus the Biochemistry and Ecology of the Central and Western Basins. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting 2022, Grand Rapids, MI, May 2022.
    • 12th Biennial Symposium, Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS), May 2021
      • Luck, K.M. and J.D. Ackerman. 2021. The effects of multiple stressors on the ecophysiology of Lampsilis siliquoidea: Effects and interactions among water temperature, velocity and suspended solid concentration. 12th Biennial Symposium, Freshwater Mollusk Conservation Society (FMCS), May 2021.
      •  Smodis, S. and J.D. Ackerman. 2021. Temporal dynamics of freshwater mussel larvae. 12th Biennial Symposium, FMCS, May 2021.
      •  Farrow,C., L-T Lim and J.D. Ackerman. 2021. Biodegradable tracer particle to study the dispersal of larval mussels. 12th Biennial Symposium, FMCS, May 2021.
      •   Sabeti-Mehr, E. and J.D. Ackerman. 2021. One shell shape to rule them all? the effects of hydrodynamic forces on the shape of freshwater mussels. 12th Biennial Symposium, FMCS, May 2021.
    • 2021: 64th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) (Online (MTU; May):
      • Jabbari, A., J.D. Ackerman, L. Boegman, and Y. Zhao, 2021. Episodes of extreme winds reduce water quality via upwelling into the western basin of Lake Erie. 64th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), May 2021.
    • 2019: 62th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) (Brockport, June):
      • Jabbaria, A., R. Valipour, L. Boegman, Y. Zhao, and J.D. Ackerman. 2019. Interbasin exchange of hypoxic water in the western basin of Lake Erie. 62nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Brockport, NY, June 2019.
      • Ackerman, J.D. and S. Tuttle-Raycraft, Presenter and Session Chair. 2019. The effect of TSS and flowing conditions on mussel clearance rates. 62nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Brockport, NY, June 2019.
      • Farrow, C., and J.D. Ackerman. 2019. The effects of riverine nutrients and phytoplankton transport in an oligotrophic embayment. 62nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Brockport, NY, June 2019.
      • Lum, J. and J.D. Ackerman. 2019. Bed shear stress as a predictor of freshwater unionid mussels settlement. 62nd Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR), Brockport, NY, June 2019.
    • 2018: 61th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) (Toronto, June):
      • Farrow, C., and J.D. Ackerman. 2018 The effect of river-borne phosphorus loading on the phytoplankton community of Nottawasaga Bay.
      • Ackerman, J.D., and M. Nishizaki. Presenter and Session Chair. 2018. Mussels blow rings — exhalant jet behavior influences mixing.
      • Jabbari, A., L. Boegman, Y. Zhao, and J. D. Ackerman. 2018. Episodic hypoxia in the western basin of Lake Erie.
      • Fung, V. and J.D. Ackerman. 2018. The effect of algal flux in surface vs. pore water on the feeding of juvenile unionids.
      • Tuttle-Raycraft, S. and J.D. Ackerman. 2018. The response to increased total suspended solids is plastic in juvenile unionids.
    • 2017: 60th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) (Detroit, MI, May):
      • Mistry, R. and J.D. Ackerman. 2017. Flow, flux and feeding: Evidence for niche separation in freshwater mussels.
      • Tuttle-Raycraft, S. and J.D. Ackerman. 2017. The effect of suspended sediment flux on the feeding and gill morphology of a freshwater mussel.
      • Tran, K. and J.D. Ackerman. 2017. Differences in the Feeding of Sympatric Freshwater Mussels May Indicate Resource Partitioning.
      • Farrow, C., D. Snider , R.Yerubandi, D. Depew, V. Hiriart-Baer , and J.D. Ackerman. 2017 Effects of river inputs on Phytoplankton Community Structure.
    • 2016: 59th Annual Conference on Great Lakes Research (IAGLR) (Guelph, ON, June):
      • Mistry, R. and J.D. Ackerman. 2016. Algal flux affects the clearance rates of recently metamorphosed freshwater mussels.
      • Harris, L. and J.D. Ackerman. 2016. The effect of water velocity on carbon isotope fractionation in aquatic macrophytes.
      • Tran, K. and J.D. Ackerman. 2016. Selective feeding of freshwater mussels: Implications for resource partitioning.
      • Farrow, C., D. Snider , R.Yerubandi, D. Depew, V. Hiriart-Baer , and J.D. Ackerman. 2016 Effects of riverine inputs on phytoplankton community structure.
      • Tuttle-Raycraft, S. and J.D. Ackerman. 2016. The effect of suspended sediment flux on the suspension feeding of a freshwater mussel
      • Gao, D. and J.D. Ackerman. 2016. The effects of collector oscillation on particle capture.
    • 2015: International Society for River Sciences Conference (La Crosse, WI, August):
      • Ackerman JD Using physical ecology to understand the complexity of unionid mussels.
      • Tuttle-Raycraft S & JD Ackerman The effect of natural suspended sediment on adult and juvenile mussels.