Welcome to the Andres Lab in the School of Biological Sciences at Illinois State University!

Our research is driven by a strong commitment to conserving aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity. The primary focus of our lab is to understand the ecological impacts of anthropogenic changes within freshwater systems, including habitat modification, climate change, and the spread of aquatic invasive species. Our work typically involves molecular techniques such as environmental DNA, diet metabarcoding, and gut microbiome profiling to explore aquatic biodiversity, population genetics, and host-microbe interactions.

We are currently recruiting M.S. and Ph.D. students who are interested in pursuing research projects related to freshwater biodiversity and conservation. If you are interested in joining the group, please view the “Join us!” tab and email Kara Andres.