Valerie Brady Ph.D.

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

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 twenty years of experience in understanding Great Lakes coastal wetland condition, including research on zebra mussels, and ten 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

Recent projects

Recent Publications

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

1 month 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

1 year 4 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

Featured Research Projects

Helping decision-makers prioritize where to restore and protect wetlands in Minnesota.

NRRI News Articles

Blue and white bird sits on a nesting box.

NRRI research underway to understand availability of flying insects impact to bird populations.

A man holds 5 gallon bucket while pouring purple dye into a creek. Woman watches.

NRRI stream restoration assessments go deep to understand if the fixes met goals to improve habitat.

Triennial 700-page document provides regular updates about changes and impacts to the lakes’ ecosystems.