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

Congruence of community thresholds in response to anthropogenic stress in Great Lakes coastal wetlands

Recent Publications: Valerie Brady
10 years 6 months ago
Congruence of community thresholds in response to anthropogenic stress in Great Lakes coastal wetlandsKovalenko, K. E., Brady, V. J., Brown, T. N., Ciborowski, J. J. H., Danz, N. P., Gathman, J. P., Host, G. E., Howe, R. W., Johnson, L. B., Niemi, G. J. & Reavie, E. D., 2014, In: Freshwater Science. 33, 3, p. 958-971 14 p.

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

An integrated approach to assessing multiple stressors for coastal Lake Superior

Recent Publications: Valerie Brady
12 years 9 months ago
An integrated approach to assessing multiple stressors for coastal Lake SuperiorNiemi, G. J., Reavie, E. D., Peterson, G. S., Kelly, J. R., Johnston, C. A., Johnson, L. B., Howe, R. W., Host, G. E., Hollenhorst, T. P., Danz, N. P., Ciborowski, J. J. H., Brown, T. N., Brady, V. J. & Axler, R. P., Oct 2011, In: Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management. 14, 4, p. 356-375 20 p.

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

Development of ecological indicators for the U.S. Great Lakes coastal region - A summary of applications in Lake Huron.

Recent Publications: Valerie Brady
15 years 6 months ago
Development of ecological indicators for the U.S. Great Lakes coastal region - A summary of applications in Lake Huron.Niemi, G. J., Brady, V. J., Brown, T. N., Ciborowski, J. J. H., Danz, N. P., Ghioca, D. M., Hanowski, J. M., Hollenhorst, T. P., Howe, R. W., Johnson, L. B., Johnston, C. A. & Reavie, E. D., Jan 1 2009, In: Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management. 12, 1, p. 77-89 13 p.

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

Evaluation of geographic, geomorphic and human influences on Great Lakes wetland indicators: A multi-assemblage approach

Recent Publications: Valerie Brady
17 years ago
Evaluation of geographic, geomorphic and human influences on Great Lakes wetland indicators: A multi-assemblage approachBrazner, J. C., Danz, N. P., Niemi, G. J., Regal, R. R., Trebitz, A. S., Howe, R. W., Hanowski, J. M., Johnson, L. B., Ciborowski, J. J. H., Johnston, C. A., Reavie, E. D., Brady, V. J. & Sgro, G. V., Jul 2007, In: Ecological Indicators. 7, 3, p. 610-635 26 p.

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

NRRI News Articles

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.

Peat bog landscape with trees in background.

Soggy, boggy site holds valuable wetlands research

NRRI’s ‘Fens’ acreage is key to understanding valuable wetlands restoration efforts.

Media Coverage