I am of the philosophy that "finding the problem" is important. If a student is interested in a realistic problem, I'll support it.

My current research deals with freshwater mussels. These threatened species have dwindled due to degradation of water quality, habitat loss, and invasion of exotic species. I am interested, among other things, in the rate at which these organisms grow and for how long they live. I have measured internal rings as indicators of age and growth rate, and I have also marked, measured, and annually sampled mussels. These two estimates of growth rate do not agree, and I am in the process of figuring out why they do not.

I have also been looking at the role of swamp habitats as sources of food for filter-feeding bivalve mollusks in the Wolf River. This research is quite appropriate for students.

A list of past student projects is available at http://rhodesfaculty.whsites.net/kesler/studentprojects.html.