For this month’s Fish Sister profile, we would like to introduce you to Dr. Carmen Montaña Schalk, an Associate Professor at Stephen F. Austin University in Texas. The Montaña Aquatic Ecology lab investigates various topics within the fields of freshwater fish ecology, and community and evolutionary ecology. Dr. Montaña Schalk has authored/coauthored over 60 journal articles ranging from freshwater fish diversity to food web dynamics, and she has documented new fish species internationally in Venezuela (Montaña et al. 2008) and Cambodia (Ou, Montaña, Winemiller & Conway 2011). Women of Fisheries recently wrote a Research Highlight on one of her graduate student’s work (Little fish, big consequences: Is the live-bait industry a vector of non-native fish?).
Current collaborative research in her lab includes a long-term (2023-2026) project in East Texas rivers studying fish biodiversity and coordinating international research experiences for students in freshwater ecosystems of Guyana (South America). Fun fact, she was bitten by a piranha on one of those trips! Read more about her research and advice for women in fisheries science below.
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CURRENT POSITION(S):
Associate Professor, Stephen F. Austin University, Nacogdoches, Texas
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF YOUR WORK/RESEARCH:
My research is broad within the fields of freshwater fish ecology, river ecology, food web dynamics, and community and evolutionary ecology. I use fishes as model organisms to understand how freshwater communities are structured, altered, and can be restored. I use both natural and human-impacted freshwater ecosystems to investigate how environmental, historical, and anthropogenic factors influence community organization, food-web structure, and ecosystem functions.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN FISHERIES?
~25 years
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE FIELD?
I have always been passionate about aquatic ecosystems and fishes in particular. I grew up in the tropics.
WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
Dr. Kirk Winemiller! He has been an excellent mentor, friend, and collaborator. He has taught me so much about fish, tropical rivers, food webs, fish diversity, among many other subjects related to fisheries science.
WHO HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?
Dr. Donald Taphorn (Professor of fish systematics) and Dr. Kirk Winemiller (Professor of fisheries and aquatic ecology at Texas A&M University)
WHAT WAS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE GOTTEN?
You can use fish to answer any question. Reasons: they are diverse, they occupy any type of aquatic habitats on earth, they have personality, they bring you joy (when catching it!!). In one word– they are fascinating organisms!
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW WOMEN ENTERING THE FIELD?
Women can be intimidated entering the fisheries field because it has always been a men-oriented field. They are the fishermen—they catch the fish. However, this not the case, the fisheries science field is not just about men and fishing. This field represents the passion for learning and researching about different aspects of fisheries which involves taxonomy, ecology, evolution, conservation and management, and outreach. We need more dedicated and enthusiastic women within this field. Around the world, women are occupying critical roles in fisheries sciences. They also represent the workforce in the artisanal fisheries sectors. We need to continue educating, motivating, and training the new generation of women in Fisheries science.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING IN FISHERIES?
- Teaching and training the new generation of fisheries scientists.
- Conducting research that is relevant to society and that have relevant benefit for conservation and management of fisheries and aquatic ecosystems as a whole.
- Sharing research results with local communities, scientists, and other professionals in fisheries sciences.
- Getting to be outdoors surveying different rivers and streams
- Learning about the fish diversity, AND
- Always discovering new facts about the fish and aquatic ecosystems we study.
WHAT WAS THE COOLEST EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD WHILE WORKING IN FISHERIES?
The coolest experience is being bitten by a Piranha in the Rupununi River in Guyana.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FISH?
Peacock basses (Cichla spp.) from South America rivers are my favorite fishes. If I have two choose one among the 9 species recognized, then the Royal Peacock Bass (Cichla intermedia) will be my favorite,