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About Dr. Dallas Flickinger

After earning his doctorate in aquaculture in 2017, Dr. Dallas Flickinger worked briefly as an independent editor of scientific communications. In 2020, he conducted post-doctoral research with a European Union consortium to develop sustainable aquaculture production and trade among Atlantic countries, with his specific role centered on developing organic aquaculture systems in Brazil.

Dr. Flickinger joined Lincoln University in the spring of 2022 with a split appointment in research and extension. His research interests include freshwater prawn aquaculture, nutrient budgets of aquaculture ponds, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture and the technical and economic viability of alternative species.

His extension interests vary but is currently focused on work safety in aquaculture and accessibility of interested individuals to work in the aquaculture industry.

Selected Publications:

• Dantas D.P., Flickinger D.L., Costa G.A., Moraes‑Valenti P., Valenti W.C. 2022. Economic effects of production scale, use of agricultural greenhouses, and integration of tropical aquaculture species when farming in a subtropical climate. Aquaculture International. View the economic effects article
• Valenti W.C. and Flickinger D.L. 2020. Freshwater Caridean Culture. pp. 207-231. In: The Natural History of the Crustacea Volume IX: Fisheries and Aquaculture. Editors: Gustavo Lovrich and Martin Thiel. 584 pp. Oxford University Press Inc, New York, USA. ISBN13: 9780190865627.
• Flickinger D.L., Costa G.A., Dantas D.P., Proença D.C., David F.S., Durborow R.M., Moraes-Valenti P., Valenti W.C. 2020. The budget of carbon in the farming of the Amazon river prawn and tambaqui fish in earthen pond monoculture and integrated multitrophic systems. Aquaculture Reports 17, 1-14. e100340-14. View the budget of carbon article
• Flickinger D.L., Dantas D.P., Proença D.C., David F.S., Valenti W.C. 2020. Phosphorus in the culture of the Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) farmed in monoculture and in integrated multitrophic systems. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society 51(4), 1-22. View the Phosphorus in the culture article
• Flickinger DL, Costa GA, Dantas DP, Moraes-Valenti P, Valenti W. 2019. The budget nitrogen in the grow-out of the Amazon river prawn (Macrobrachium amazonicum Heller) and tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum Cuvier) farmed in monoculture and integrated multitrophic aquaculture systems. Aquaculture Research 50(11), 3444–3461. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.14304

About Dr. Moureen Matuha

Research work

Dr. Moureen Matuha's research focuses on the nutrition of cold and warm freshwater fish at all life stages — from larval to adulthood. Her goal is to develop nutritionally balanced, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective strategies to support seafood production. She also specializes in larval rearing and nutrition, evaluating the dietary needs of emerging species and examining the economic performance of new feed formulations and their impact on fish growth and meat quality. Additionally, she assesses the taste, texture and market potential of novel aquaculture species to improve their commercial success.

Extension work

Matuha works with aquaculture producers to improve operational efficiency and, where suitable, diversify the species they cultivate. She offers guidance to individuals looking to start aquaculture farms or expand their existing operations by incorporating new or emerging species. Additionally, she provides training and support to aquaculture stakeholders through workshops, field days, demonstrations and research presentations, while also publishing educational materials such as factsheets, leaflets and newsletters to share industry insights and best practices.

Publications

Selected Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

• Matuha, M., Fornshell, G., Kumar, G., & Cain, K. D. (2024). Sensory profiles and market potential of burbot Lota-lota baculosa-An emerging aquaculture species. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 36, 100950.
• Matuha, M., Oliver, L. P., Bruce, T. J., & Cain, K. D. (2024). Optimizing early weaning protocols for Burbot larvae. North American Journal of Aquaculture, 86(1), 141-153.
• Matuha, M., Molnar, J. J., Boyd, C. E., & Terhune, J. S. (2016). The role of mobile phones in facilitating aquaculture development in Uganda. World Aquaculture, 39.

Manuscript in Preparation

• Matuha, M., Singha, P. K., Hossain, S. Md., Bruce, J.T., Kenneth D. Cain, D.K., & Kumar, V. A. A preliminary study of optimum dietary protein requirement of burbot Lota-lota maculosa. (About to be submitted)
• Matuha, M., Fornshell, G., Kumar, G., Watson, P., & Cain, D.K. Economic feasibility of commercial burbot (Lota-lota) production. (in preparation)

Current Research Projects

• Assessing rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) feeding performance when substituting fish meal with locally sourced protein alternatives. (February 2024-February 2027).

About Dr. James Wetzel

Dr. James Wetzel is an associate professor of agriculture and animal science at Lincoln University’s College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences, specializing in aquaculture. He holds a doctorate in zoology with a focus on aquaculture nutrition.

His current research explores Bluegill nutrition and genetic improvement, along with recent studies on black bass and crappie production systems. He also has experience with hybrid recirculation and flow-through systems for rainbow trout. Additionally, he is interested in animal behavior as it relates to aquaculture and production environments.

Publications

• Dudenhoefer, G., J.E. Wetzel and T. Omara-Alawala. 2012. Weaning Ages of Bluegill and Redear Sunfish Fry in Indoor Recirculating Aquaculture System. North American Journal of Aquaculture 74(2):208-213.
• Hirsch, L.P. and J.E. Wetzel. 2011. Indoor Spawning and Raising of Warmouth Sunfish Lepomis gulosus. American Currents 36 (4): 2-6; color plate 13.
• Dudenhoefer, G., J.E. Wetzel and T. Omara-Alawala. 2011. Evaluation of Selected Commercial Starter Feeds for Sunfish Fry Culture. North American Journal of Aquaculture 73(3): 332-338
• Wetzel, J.E., C.S. Kasper, C. C. Kohler. 2006. Comparison of pond production of phase-III sunshine bass fed 32-, 36-, and 40%-crude-protein diets with fixed energy: protein ratios. North American Journal of Aquaculture 68(3):264-270.
• Wetzel, J.E. II. 2006. Spawning and raising the bantam sunfish. American Currents 33(1):11-15.
• Wetzel, J. E., W.J. Poly and J. W. Fetzner Jr. 2005. Orconectes pardalotus, a new species of crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the lower Ohio River with notes on its life history. Aqua 10: 57-72.
• Wetzel, J. E. and C. C. Kohler. 2005. Distinction between gastric digestion and evacuation in black bass fed piscine prey. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 134:533–536.
• Wetzel, J.E., W.J. Poly and J.W. Fetzner, Jr. Distribution revision of the golden crayfish Orconectes luteus and rusty crayfish O. rusticus in Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota. Journal of Crustacean Biology: 2004.
• Roberts, M.E., J.E. Wetzel, R.C. Brooks, and J.E. Garvey. 2004. Daily increment formation in otoliths of red spotted sunfish. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 24:270-274.
• Poly, W.J., and J.E. Wetzel. 2004. Vascularizartion of the second dorsal fin of nuptial male Etheostoma squamiceps (Percidae: Teleostei). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 55:249-251.
• Poly, W.J., and J.E. Wetzel. 2003. Transbranchioral spawning, a novel reproductive method of the pirate perch Aphrododerus sayanus. Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters 14:151-158.
• Poly, W.J., and J.E. Wetzel. 2003. Distribution and taxonomy of three species of the genus Orconectes (Decapoda: Cambaridae) in Illinois. Journal of Crustacean Biology 23:380-390.
• Wetzel, J.E. 2002. Form alternation of adult female crayfishes of the genus Orconectes (Decapoda: Cambaridae). American Midland Naturalist 147:326-337.
• Poly, W.J., and J.E. Wetzel. 2002. The Ohio shrimp, Macrobrachium ohione (Palaemonidae), in the Ohio River of Illinois. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science 95(1):65-66.
• Brown, P.B., J.E. Wetzel, J. Mays, K.A. Wilson, and C.S. Kasper. 2002. Growth differences between stocks of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) are temperature dependent. Journal of Applied Aquaculture 12:43-56.
• Poly, W.J., and J.E. Wetzel. 2001. Necturus maculosus (Common Mudpuppy). USA: ILLINOIS: Pulaski Co: unnamed tributary of the Ohio River. Herpetological Review 32(2):11.
• Wetzel, J.E., and W.J. Poly. 2000. Range Expansion of Golden Crayfish, Orconectes luteus, in the Mississippi River. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 15(2):281-282.
• Kohler, C.C., and J.E. Wetzel. 1996. A Report Card on Mentorship in Graduate Fisheries Education: Student and Faculty Perspectives. Fisheries 23:10-13.
• Brown, P.B., K.A. Wilson, J.E. Wetzel and B. Hoene. 1995. Increased densities result in reduced weight gain of crayfish Orconectes virilis. Journal of World Aquaculture Society 26(2):165-171.
• Wetzel, J.E., and P.B. Brown. 1993. Optimal temperature for growth of Orconectid crayfishes. Journal of World Aquaculture Society 24(3):339-343.
• Brown, P.B., J.E. Wetzel, A. Spacie and A. Konopka. 1992. Evaluation of naturally-occurring organisms as food for juvenile crayfish (Procambarus clarkil). Journal of World Aquaculture Society 23:211-216.

About Jacob Loesch

Jacob Loesch is the Aquaculture Manager for the Aquaculture Research Facility. In this role, he oversees the indoor research facility and manages 22 research ponds at Lincoln’s Carver Farm, ensuring efficient operations and supporting ongoing research initiatives.

After graduating from Lincoln’s Aquaculture program, he gained valuable hands-on experience in the private aquaculture industry, specializing in goldfish and koi production.

In 2016, he returned home to a small town outside Jefferson City to be closer to the family’s farm and transitioned into a role in furniture sales. He joined Lincoln University in the spring of 2023 bringing his industry experience and management skills to support aquaculture research and operations.

About Andrew Coursey

Andrew Coursey is the Project Coordinator for the Aquaculture Research Facility. In this role, he supports researchers with experimental design, research and publications.

With over 20 years of experience in aquaculture, Coursey specializes in recirculating aquaculture systems, fish nutrition, outreach and extension services.

Before joining Lincoln University, he served as an aquaculture specialist for Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant at Purdue University, providing extension and outreach services. Prior to that, he was a Researcher III and facility manager at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, where he focused primarily on largemouth bass research.

Publications

• Coursey, Andrew R., Jesse T. Trushenski and Christopher C. Kohler. Alternative feeding strategies to maximize fish oil and fish meal sparing in largemouth bass culture while maintaining production performance and product value. North American Journal of Aquaculture. Volume 75, 266-276. January 2013.