Valerie Brady Ph.D.

Valerie Brady headshot
Professional Title
Sr. Research Associate, Aquatic Ecologist, Interim Water Research Group Leader

Bio

Valerie's specialty is aquatic invertebrate ecology with a particular interest in using the invertebrate community for assessment and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems. She has thirty years of experience in understanding Great Lakes coastal wetland condition, including research on zebra mussels, and twenty years of experience working in Minnesota and Wisconsin streams. 

Current research interests include: the use of aquatic invertebrates as indicators for monitoring and assessment of stream and wetland ecosystems; investigating major determinants of invertebrate community structure in streams and wetlands; investigating the use of aquatic invertebrates as diagnostic indicators of particular causes of ecosystem impairment in streams and wetlands; investigating impacts of aquatic invasive species on food webs and ecosystems; recovery of natural invertebrate community structure and function in restored and created wetlands; using stable isotopes as aids in the above investigations; and public policy issues related to stream and wetland health, protection and water quality.

Read full CV here

Education

  • Postdoc Aquatic and Landscape Ecology U.S. EPA-MED 2000 
  • Ph.D. Zoology/Aquatic Ecology Michigan State University 1996 
  • M.S. Zoology/Aquatic Ecology Michigan State University 1992 
  • B.S. Biology/Environmental Science Taylor University 1988

Profiles

Recent projects

Recent Publications

An Index of biotic condition (IBC) using birds as indicators of coastal wetland quality in North America's Laurentian Great Lakes

Recent Publications: Valerie Brady
11 months ago
An Index of biotic condition (IBC) using birds as indicators of coastal wetland quality in North America's Laurentian Great LakesHowe, R. W., Niemi, G. J., Bracey, A. M., Brady, V., Elliott, L., Fiorino, G. E., Gaul, W., Gehring, T. M., Gnass Giese, E. E., Lawrence, G., Norment, C. J., Panci, H., Tozer, D. C., Uzarski, D., Walton, N. G. & Wheelock, B., Dec 1 2023, In: Ecological Indicators. 156, 111174.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Walleye and yellow perch resource use in large lakes invaded by spiny water fleas and zebra mussels

Recent Publications: Valerie Brady
1 year 2 months ago
Walleye and yellow perch resource use in large lakes invaded by spiny water fleas and zebra musselsBethke, B. J., Rantala, H. M., Ahrenstorff, T. D., Kelly, H. A. W., Kovalenko, K. E., Maki, R. P., Hirsch, J. K., Dumke, J. D., Brady, V. J., LeDuc, J. F. & Hansen, G. J. A., Sep 2023, In: Aquatic Ecology. 57, 3, p. 571-584 14 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Influences of seasonality and habitat quality on Great Lakes coastal wetland fish community composition and diets

Recent Publications: Valerie Brady
2 years 5 months ago
Influences of seasonality and habitat quality on Great Lakes coastal wetland fish community composition and dietsDiller, S. N., Harrison, A. M., Kowalski, K. P., Brady, V. J., Ciborowski, J. J. H., Cooper, M. J., Dumke, J. D., Gathman, J. P., Ruetz, C. R., Uzarski, D. G., Wilcox, D. A. & Schaeffer, J. S., Jun 2022, In: Wetlands Ecology and Management. 30, 3, p. 439-460 22 p.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

NRRI News Articles

A tree swallow held in a hand while yellow band is attached to leg.

‘Bugs ‘n Birds’ study underscores importance of insects

NRRI cross-disciplinary research explores availability of food sources for declining species of bug-eating birds.

Rear view of boat coming out of lake at a boat ramp with aquatic vegetation on trailer.

Coming Clean (to the lake)

NRRI tests techniques to clean boat interiors to stop spread of invasives.

Two people in a boat, woman in forefront grabs crayfish from a bin, man in background takes notes.

NRRI research confronts rusty crayfish challenge

Invasive ‘rusties’ add another challenge to growing Minnesota wild rice.

Media Coverage