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David Christensen

Biography

Play video: Electrofishing at Kinne Brook with Westfield State students

Teaching Philosophy:

I believe learning should be a perpetual endeavor in life that is often achieved through multiple processes such as visual, auditory, repetitive, and hands-on approaches. Each student may possess a mosaic of learning styles and have the potential to excel when given the right tools and opportunities. In my classes, I try to integrate different teaching styles in order to address the variety of learning methods that exist and to generate sincere interest among students regarding the diverse topics of biology. I believe teaching is a dynamic process that requires professors to be vigilant in adjusting and applying new methodologies to meet the needs of our students in varying courses and disciplines.

Joined Westfield State University in 2008

Education

  • B.S., University of Idaho

  • M.S., Washington State University

  • Ph.D., Washington State University

Areas of Research

Freshwater ecology

Conservation biology

Publications

Christensen, D.R. and B.C. Moore. 2007. Differential prey selectivity of largemouth bass functional feeding groups in Twin Lakes, Washington. Lake and Reservoir Management 23:39-48.

Christensen, D.R. and B.C. Moore. 2008. Diet composition and overlap in a mixed warm- and coldwater fish community. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 23:195-204.

Christensen, D.R. and B.C. Moore. 2009. Using stable isotopes and a multiple source mixing model to evaluate fish dietary niches in a mesotrophic lake. Lake and Reservoir Management 25:167-175.

Moore, B.C. and D.R. Christensen. 2009. Newman Lake restoration: A case study. Part 1. Chemical and biological responses to phosphorus control. Lake and Reservoir Management 25:337-350.

Moore, B.C., D.R. Christensen, and A.C. Richter. 2009. Newman Lake restoration: A case study. Part II. Microfloc alum injection. Lake and Reservoir Management 25:351-363.

Christensen, D.R. and B.C. Moore. 2010. Largemouth bass consumption demand of hatchery rainbow trout in two Washington lakes. Lake and Reservoir Management 26:200-211.

Christensen, D.R. and A. LaRoche. 2012. Using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to evaluate trophic interactions in aquatic environments. Bioscene 38:22-27.

Moore BC, Cross BK, Clegg EM, Lanouette BP, Biggs M, Skinner M, Preece E, Child A, Gantzer P, Shallenberger E, Christensen DR, Nine B, 2014. Hypolimnetic oxygenation in Twin Lakes, WA. Part 1: Distribution and movement of trout. Lake and Reservoir Management 30:226-239.

Christensen, D.R. 2016. A simple approach to collecting useful wildlife data using remote camera-traps in undergraduate biology courses. Bioscene 42:25-31.

Beutel, M., Moore, B.C., Christensen, D.R., Ganzer, P., Shallenberger, E. 2010. Ease the squeeze in Twin Lakes, WA - The Colville Confederated Tribes work to enhance a trout fishery and improve water quality in reservation lakes. Lakeline-Winter:31-38.

Christensen, D.R. 2011. Drift Away: Dead-drifting streamer flies. American Angler. September/October: 42-45. This article was written as an enjoyable breather from the regular scientific approach. It was good to simplify and reconnect with my initial and fundamental interest in aquatic biology; fishing.

Christensen, D.R. 2013. Pike Congregations. American Angler. January/February: 20-21. This was another article I submitted for fun as a way to stay connected with my fundamental interest in fish and their habitats.

Christensen, D.R. and A. LaRoche. 2012. Using stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen to evaluate trophic interactions in aquatic environments. Bioscene 38:22-27.

Favata, C.A., Christensen, D.R., Thompson, R., McKeown, K.A., and J. Hanselman. 2015. Evaluation of a modified habitat suitability index model for eastern brook trout: Implications for efficient habitat assessment. Journal of Student Research 4:90-98.

Christensen, DR, Favata, CA, and RJ Bressette. 2022. Isotopic analysis of Esox niger (Chain Pickerel) diet contributions in an urban pond. Urban Naturalist 9, 56:1-10.