Dr. Rachel Bowes is an Assistant Professor and the Jones Endowed Professor of Aquatic Sciences at Emporia State University (ESU). She teaches Principles of Organismal Biology, Grant Writing, Fisheries Management, Fish Ecology, Ichthyology, and Marine Biology. Dr. Bowes is also the Research Director for the Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center (PAROC) at ESU. She is the current chair of the Aquatic Ecology Section of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) as well as Speaker of the ESA Council.
A lifelong fascination with the natural world and an insatiable curiosity about life have always drawn her back to water. Dr. Bowes’ research focuses on understanding ecological processes and applying this knowledge to aquatic conservation and management. Her lab explores diverse themes, including aquatic food webs, the impacts of human activity on ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and innovative methodologies like stable isotope analysis and eDNA techniques. She is particularly interested in the interplay between terrestrial and aquatic systems and restoring aquatic habitats. Her work reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative methodologies, and addressing pressing ecological challenges in aquatic systems.
Outside of the classroom and research, Dr. Bowes enjoys rock-hounding and pursuing artistic hobbies, such as creating wire-wrapped jewelry and sewing. She often brings her dog, Zipper, to school, where he’s become something of an ESU Science Hall mascot.
www.linkedin.com/in/bowesrachel
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