Curriculum Vitae

Curriculum vitae of Connor L. Brown: education, research experience, publications, presentations, and funding.

Connor.Brown@KU.edu

Education

Ph.D., Geology 2021–Present
University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

M.S., Biology 2019–2022
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas
Thesis: The Influence of Land Use and Precipitation on Stream Ecosystem Metabolism
Relevant Coursework: Ichthyology, Invertebrate Zoology, Biogeography, Biostatistics, Hydrology, Stream Ecology

B.S., Natural Resources Management 2016–2018
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas
Concentration: Aquatic and Fisheries Biology
Minor: Geographic Information Science and Technology
Relevant Coursework: Freshwater Bioassessment, Watershed Planning, Fisheries Conservation and Management, Introduction to Geographic Information Systems, Advanced Geographic Information Systems, Cartographic Design, Spatial Analysis, GPS Mapping, Aerial Photo Interpretation, Integrated Natural Resources Management Skills, Wildlife and Vegetation Techniques, Diversity of Life, Genetics, Introduction to Conservation Science

Experience

Graduate Research Assistant 2020–2021
Stream and Biogeochemistry Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University
Managed data collection, analyzed time series data, estimated ecosystem metabolism using R, and collected macroinvertebrates and fish for the NSF-funded project Thresholds in Ecosystem Responses to Rainfall Gradients (TERRG).

Graduate Research Assistant 2019
Texas Research Institute for Environmental Studies, Sam Houston State University
Worked on a funded grant from the Texas Military Department to collect invertebrate and habitat data, identified terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, and pinned specimens.

Teaching Assistant 2019–2020
Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University
Taught three sections of Ecology Lab and Environmental Science, including lecturing, leading lab activities, and assisting students with ecology and environmental science concepts.

Undergraduate Researcher 2016–2018
Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University
Proposed and conducted a research project on the Pecos River. Field work included deploying Hester-Dendy samplers and collecting habitat measurements. Lab work included sorting and identifying macroinvertebrates using dichotomous keys.

Undergraduate Internship 2016
Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University
Assisted with dissertation-related field and lab work, including transect setup, macroinvertebrate and fish collection, water sampling, habitat measurements, macroinvertebrate identification, and environmental DNA extraction.

Publications

2026

Network Connectivity and Local Hydrology Drive DOM Composition in a Non-Perennial Stream
Sarah M. Flynn, Rebecca Hale, Erin Seybold, Stephen Plont, Michelle Busch, Alexi Sommerville, Connor L. Brown, Amy. J. Burgin
JGR: Biogeosciences • 2026
DOI

2025

Spatiotemporal variation of ecosystem metabolism in a eutrophic, polymictic reservoir: Water column stability begets metabolism stability
Christopher F. Frazier, Connor L. Brown, Megan Hamersky, Thomas Coole, Marissa Campobasso, Catherine Thomas, Ted D. Harris
Inland Waters • 2025
DOI
Hydrologic, biogeochemical, microbial, and macroinvertebrate responses to network expansion, contraction, and disconnection across headwater stream networks with distinct physiography in Alabama, USA
Stephen Plont, Delaney M. Peterson, Chelsea R. Smith, Charles T. Bond, Andrielle Larissa Kemajou Tchamba, Michelle A. Wolford, Kaci Zarek, Shannon L. Speir, C. Nathan Jones, Jonathan P. Benstead, Michelle H. Busch, Rebecca L. Hale, Connor L. Brown, Erin C. Seybold, Arial J. Shogren, Kevin A. Kuehn, Yaqi You, Colin R. Jackson, Amy J. Burgin, Carla L. Atkinson
Earth System Science Data Discussions • 2025
DOI
Precipitation regime drives key alterations in subtropical stream fish community assembly and functional trait distribution across a major rainfall gradient
Christopher M. Groff, Sean K. Kinard, J. Derek Hogan, Matt R. Whiles, Amber J. Ulseth, Bradley A. Strickland, Fernando Carvallo, Victoria Jenkins, Alexander T. Solis, Desiree A. Groff, Christopher Frazier, Connor L. Brown, Christopher J. Patrick
Journal of Freshwater Ecology • 2025
DOI

2024

Benthic Macroinvertebrate Assemblage Structure in Salinized Reaches of the Lower Pecos River, Texas
Connor L. Brown, Kelbi D. Delaune, Allison A. Pease
The Southwestern Naturalist • 2024
DOI
Gulf Killifish (Fundulus grandis) in the Pecos River: Unique Life History Traits in a Nonnative, Inland Population
Kelbi D. Delaune, Allison A. Pease, Reynaldo Patiño, Connor L. Brown, Matthew A. Barnes
The Southwestern Naturalist • 2024
DOI

In Preparation

Ecosystem Metabolism of Coastal Texas Streams Across Precipitation Regimes and Land Use Gradients
Connor L. Brown, Christopher F. Fraizer, Christopher J. Patrick, Amber J. Ulseth
Ecosystems • In preparation

Presentations

Brown, C.L., Busch, M.H., Plont, S., Benstead, J.P., Burgin, A.J., Hale, R.L., Seybold, E.C. (2025). Hydrologic controls on oxygen regimes in non-perennial streams. Society for Freshwater Science, San Juan, PR.

Brown, C.L., Plont, S., Burgin, A.J., Seybold, E.C. (2024). The oxygen regimes of non-perennial streams. The Water Science Conference, Saint Paul, MN.

Brown, C.L., Burgin, A.J., Seybold, E.C. (2023). Flow variability drives changes in the oxygen regime of a non-perennial prairie stream. Kansas Governor’s Water Conference, Manhattan, KS.

Brown, C.L., Wheeler, C.T., Speir, S.L., Allen, D.C., Benstead, J.P., Burgin, A.J., Hale, R.L., Seybold, E.C. (2022). Duration of drying controls the magnitude and recovery of ecosystem metabolism in U.S. intermittent streams. Kansas Governor’s Water Conference, Manhattan, KS.

Brown, C.L., Wheeler, C.T., Speir, S.L., Allen, D.C., Benstead, J.P., Burgin, A.J., Hale, R.L., Seybold, E.C. (2022). Characterizing metabolism dynamics in U.S. intermittent streams. Joint Aquatic Sciences Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI.

Brown, C.L., Carvallo, F., Frazier, C., Groff, C.M., Jenkins, V., Kinard, S.K., Solis, A.T., Strickland, B., Hogan, J.D., Patrick, C.J., Whiles, M.R., Zanden, H.V., Ulseth, A.J. (2021). Ecosystem metabolism of coastal Texas streams across precipitation and land use gradients. Society for Freshwater Science.

Brown, C.L., Delaune, K.D., Pease, A.A. (2018). Spatial and temporal variation in benthic macroinvertebrate assemblage structure in salinized reaches of the Pecos River. Desert Fishes Council, Death Valley, CA.

Brown, C.L., Delaune, K.D., Pease, A.A. (2018). Macroinvertebrate community structure on the lower Pecos River. Southwestern Association of Naturalists, San Marcos, TX.

Organizations & Committees

  • Kansas Geological Survey – Diversity, equity, and inclusion committee (2023–2024)
  • Society for Freshwater Science – Diversity, equity, and inclusion committee (2021)
  • Biological Sciences Graduate Student Organization, Treasurer (2019–2020)
  • Society of Freshwater Science (2018–Present)
  • Desert Fishes Council (2018–Present)
  • Southwestern Association of Naturalists (2017–Present)
  • Texas Tech Gay-Straight Alliance (2016–2018)
  • Circle K International, Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, President (2014–2016)

Research Funding

Brown, C.L. (2017). Center for Active Learning and Undergraduate Research Engagement, Texas Tech University ($1,000).

Certifications

  1. GeoApps Certification, Esri (2018)
  2. SSI Advanced SCUBA Certification (2009)