Andrew McMains is originally from Raleigh, North Carolina and is currently a PhD student at East Caroliana University’s Coastal Studies Institute. His current research focuses on using acoustic techniques (ex. sonar and acoustic telemetry) to investigate the impacts of anthropogenic changes on fish habitat.
As a PhD student Andrew has received numerous awards and scholarships, including the AFS International Fisheries Section Fellow Award, which allowed him to present his research at a conference at the University of Essex, England. He has also received research grant funding from NC Sea Grant and the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.
Andrew has been the treasurer of the ECU AFS Student Subunit since 2021. In 2021 and 2022 Andrew worked with ECU to fund 12 members of the student subunit to attend the Tidewater Chapter Meeting. He has attended the Tidewater AFS Meeting in 2021-2023, the Southern AFS Meeting in 2023, and the National AFS Meeting in 2021
As student representative Andrew would be committed to reinforcing the relationships between student subunits and the divisions and chapters, enabling more interactions to support the next generation of fisheries professionals. He is experienced in fisheries and knows firsthand how beneficial involvement in AFS can be.
Hi everyone! My name is Hunter Torolski and I’m a master’s student within the Department of Natural Resource Management at Oklahoma State University. I’m originally from Michigan and moved to Oklahoma in 2023 to pursue my master’s degree.
My master’s research aims to quantify freshwater mussel occupancy and abundance in two prairie rivers of northeastern Oklahoma. Through quantitative sampling, we also aim to establish baseline habitat-use data that can inform future population monitoring and management practices.
I graduated in 2022 from Central Michigan University within the B.S. Biology degree program with a concentration in ecology, evolution, and conservation. Throughout my undergraduate career, I’ve gained professional experience through positions with the AmeriCorps, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and various laboratories at Central Michigan University. The time I spent working with these organizations gave me experience interacting with private landowners, conducting public outreach events, managing aquatic invasive species, surveying for freshwater mussels, and monitoring water quality.
Upon starting my program at Oklahoma State, I quickly became involved with the subunit and have served as the Secretary-Treasurer for the past semester. I believe my experience and perspective as a graduate student would provide a valuable point of view as the SDAFS Student Representative.