Valerie Kuppek

M.S. Student - Wildlife & Fisheries Biology
Graduate Research Assistant
Forestry and Environmental Conservation Department

Office: Lehotsky 270
Phone: 609-751-6246

Email: vkuppek@clemson.edu

Educational Background

B.S. Biological Sciences
Dickinson College 2021

Profile

Valerie is a M.S. Graduate Research Assistant in the Wildlife & Fisheries program, co-advised by Drs. Troy Farmer and Luke Bower. Her research focuses on American Shad fish passage on the Cape Fear River, North Carolina.

Valerie received a B.S. in Biological Sciences from Dickinson College in 2021. As an early-career professional in the fisheries field, Valerie gained hands-on experience through seasonal opportunities with various state and cooperative research agencies across the continental U.S. With a passion for aquatic ecology that started at a young age, Valerie aims to continue her career as a fisheries biologist with a focus towards native fish species conservation and management.

Valerie is excited to continue developing her technical, quantitative, and scientific inquiry skills through her position at Clemson. Outside of her studies, Valerie enjoys hiking, fishing, baking, reading, and crochet.

Research Interests

Valerie is broadly interested in the population dynamics, distribution, and reproductive biology of freshwater and anadromous fishes.

Publications

Douglas, M., DuBoyce, M., Kuppek, V ., Marich, A., Poisson, M., Spiro, A., Boback, S. The American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) in conservation biological control. Accepted January 2026 by Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment; currently in final review and production.

DeBoer, J. A., A. L. Whitten Harris, V . E. Kuppek, P. A. Stafford, and J. T. Lamer. 2024. External abnormalities in fish assemblages from four Illinois rivers. Illinois Natural History Survey Technical Report 2024 (04). 17 pages.

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