Undergraduate research efforts that included a faculty member from Texas Tech’s Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources earned top recognition at the Texas Academy of Science Annual Meeting, highlighting the growing role of student-driven scientific discovery in environmental research.
'Once genetic material is shed, it interacts with the environment – degrading, accumulating and moving – and understanding those processes helps us better interpret what we find.'
Matthew Barnes, an associate professor in the Department of Natural Resources Management, was part of research teams receiving two first-place awards for projects involving undergraduate researchers at the conference, held Feb. 27–28 and hosted by University of Texas at Tyler. The honors recognized student presentations focused on emerging tools used to detect and track aquatic species, particularly invasive organisms in freshwater ecosystems.
Among Barnes’ honors was first place in the Conservation Science Undergraduate Oral Presentation category for a project titled Wanted dead, not alive: using eRNA:eDNA ratios to assess viability of invasive apple snail (Pomacea maculata). The presentation was delivered by Kylie Allemeier of Southwestern University, working with fellow Southwestern undergraduate Katelin Pilarski and Professor Romi Burks, along with Barnes.
A second first-place award came in the Freshwater Science Section for Bobbing for apple snails: detecting Pomacea maculata in San Antonio waterways using environmental DNA. The research was presented by Southwestern’s Heaven Eskandar, alongside Emma Flores, as well as Burks, Barnes and Adrian Reyna of the San Antonio River Authority.
Barnes also contributed to two additional undergraduate projects presented at the meeting. One study, presented in the Marine Science Section by University of Texas Permian Basin’s Jennifer Hunt, examined how surface topology influences coral larvae settlement on concrete matrices, a topic tied to reef restoration research. Co-authors included Barnes, Brian Flowers of University of Texas Permian Basin, and Thomas Ready of the Glass Sponge Foundation.
Another project in the Freshwater Science Section explored the interaction between environmental DNA and microplastics. The study was presented by Southwestern’s Jordan Emerson with Eskandar, Flores, Burks, Barnes and Andre Felton of University of Texas at San Antonio.
At Texas Tech, Barnes’ research program centers on the ecology and application of environmental DNA, commonly known as eDNA – a rapidly expanding tool used by scientists to detect species through traces of genetic material left behind in water, soil or even air.
“This detective-like tool lets us detect species from water, soil, or even air samples,” Barnes said. “Once genetic material is shed, it interacts with the environment – degrading, accumulating and moving – and understanding those processes helps us better interpret what we find.”
A native of Plano, Texas, Barnes’ broader research examines species distribution patterns using geographic information systems and predictive modeling, as well as the ecological impacts of invasive species through field and laboratory studies. He earned his doctorate from the University of Notre Dame.
Barnes also maintains a long-standing connection with the Texas Academy of Science, the state’s oldest scientific society. Founded in 1880, the organization promotes scientific research and collaboration among Texas colleges and universities while encouraging student participation in research and professional development. Last year, Barnes was honored with the academy’s Past President’s Award after completing a four-year term on the organization’s board of directors.
CONTACT: Richard Stevens, Chair and Caesar Kleberg Endowed Professor of Wildlife Conservation, Department of Natural Resources Management, Davis College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 834-6843 or richard.stevens@ttu.edu
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