My dissertation research measures the importance of social capital and how it is related to the social network structure of the Great Lakes agency appointed committees, under the Great Lakes Fishery Commission umbrella. The social network analysis will increase our understanding of how these committees address shared fisheries topics of interest to their participants. I am using quantitative and qualitative methodology to examine the importance of social capital within two different network structure, general fisheries and lake sturgeon. This research will contribute in improving governance forums by giving insight into how social capital and network structure can be nurtured to improve the decision making process.

My graduate assistantship is with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in Ann Arbor, Michigan where I work as a research associate assisting the Executive Secretary with policy related work and the executive committee of the Great Lakes Law Enforcement Committee and subcommittees. As part of my responsibilities with the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, I have co-developed study abroad courses in Egypt, Kamchatka-Russia, Eastern Mediterranean basin, and Madagascar. I co-instructed FW481 Global Issues in Fisheries and Wildlife, the study abroad course Egypt: Historical Perspectives of Veterinary Medicine and Natural Resources Management, and will co-instruct An Island Apart: Culture & Natural Resources of Madagascar during 2007, as well as assisting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Director and Chief of Staff with policy and law enforcement projects. Additionally, I have been involved in organizing symposiums and presentations during meetings of the American Fisheries Society, co-editing book projects, and co-authoring several chapters and articles. My dissertation research survey was created and implemented using an Academic Research License from both QuestionPro.com and SurveyZ.com

My on-line surveys have been created using an Academic Research License from a company by the name of QuestionPro. Here's some more information about them.

QuestionPro Online Survey Software employs an easy to use Wizard interface to author and deploy Web Based and Email Surveys. No knowledge of HTML or programming is required. A comprehensive suite of analysis tools, ranging from Simple Frequency to TURF to Conjoint, are also provided for data analysis. In addition, QuestionPro Web Survey Software provides seamless integration with SPSS and Microsoft Office products.

QuestionPro Online Surveys also licenses its software free to Students and Researchers in the academic community. The projects have to be strictly academic in nature and should not be part of any other funded research or consulting.