Grouping: Lab Alumni

Contact

avh0022@auburn.edu

Education

M.S. in Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Aquatic Sciences

B.S. in Biological Sciences, Florida State University

Ashley Hennessey

M.S. Student
2022-2024

Research Interests

I’m interested in the effects of chronic toxicant exposure in freshwater plankton communities. I use pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) to evaluate shifts in community structure over time. I’m particularly motivated by the heavy use of copper sulfate (CuSO4) as a treatment for harmful algal blooms and the potential development of resistant communities.

When I’m not in the lab, I spend my time hiking in the Auburn area with my beagle, Magnolia.

  1. Hennessey, A., M. McDonald, A.C. Mollica, and A. E. Wilson. 2026. Keeping copper simple: A water chemistry-based approach to algal bloom management. Alabama Fish Farming Center 1:5-8.

     - Dowload Publication (PDF)

  2. Mollica, A. C., M. T. Wesche, M. F. Gladfelter, M. B. McDonald, A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, K. L. Merrill, and A. E. Wilson. 2026. Higher alkalinity increases copper toxicity in phytoplankton: the importance of pH flux when treating algal blooms. Harmful Algae 156:103123.

     - Link to Publication

  3. McDonald, M. B., A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Repeated low-dose copper algaecide treatments promote beneficial phytoplankton and zooplankton communities. Journal of Environmental Management 394: 127502.

     - Link to Publication

  4. McDonald, M. B., A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Reevaluating copper algaecide dosing to manage water quality: A multiple linear regression approach. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 44(10):2957-2966.

     - Link to Publication

  5. Hennessey, A. V., M. B. McDonald, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Lowering pH enhances copper toxicity: A novel strategy for controlling harmful algal blooms and off-flavors. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 302:118549.

     - Link to Publication

  6. Hennessey, A. V., M. B. McDonald, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Evaluating the tolerance of harmful algal bloom communities to copper. Environmental Pollution 368:125691.

     - Link to Publication

  7. Gladfelter, M. F., A. V. Hennessey, M. B. McDonald, S. S. Ganegoda, D. Wang, and A. E. Wilson. 2024. Are heavy metals a concern in catfish aquaculture? Alabama Fish Farming Center 1:10-12.

     - Dowload Publication (PDF)

  8. Zinnert, H. M., M. F. Gladfelter, S. E. Tenison, H. P. Poe, K. L. Merrill, A. V. Hennessey, M. B. McDonald, D. Wang, H. A. Torbert, and A. E. Wilson. 2024. Impacts of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum on water quality and the algal community in catfish aquaculture ponds. Aquaculture 581:740406.

     - Link to Publication

  9. Zinnert, H. M., M. F. Gladfelter, H. P. Poe, K. L. Merrill, A. V. Hennessey, M. B. McDonald, D. Wang, H. A. Torbert, and A. E. Wilson. 2023. Positive and negative impacts of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum on water quality. Journal of Environmental Management 348:119307.

     - Link to Publication

Contact

mbm0116@auburn.edu

Education

State University of New York at Buffalo

B.S. Environmental Geosciences, Minor in Geography

2018-2022

Michael McDonald

M.S. Student
2022-2024

  1. Hennessey, A., M. McDonald, A.C. Mollica, and A. E. Wilson. 2026. Keeping copper simple: A water chemistry-based approach to algal bloom management. Alabama Fish Farming Center 1:5-8.

     - Dowload Publication (PDF)

  2. Mollica, A. C., M. T. Wesche, M. F. Gladfelter, M. B. McDonald, A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, K. L. Merrill, and A. E. Wilson. 2026. Higher alkalinity increases copper toxicity in phytoplankton: the importance of pH flux when treating algal blooms. Harmful Algae 156:103123.

     - Link to Publication

  3. McDonald, M. B., A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Repeated low-dose copper algaecide treatments promote beneficial phytoplankton and zooplankton communities. Journal of Environmental Management 394: 127502.

     - Link to Publication

  4. McDonald, M. B., A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Reevaluating copper algaecide dosing to manage water quality: A multiple linear regression approach. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 44(10):2957-2966.

     - Link to Publication

  5. Hennessey, A. V., M. B. McDonald, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Lowering pH enhances copper toxicity: A novel strategy for controlling harmful algal blooms and off-flavors. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 302:118549.

     - Link to Publication

  6. Hennessey, A. V., M. B. McDonald, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Evaluating the tolerance of harmful algal bloom communities to copper. Environmental Pollution 368:125691.

     - Link to Publication

  7. Gladfelter, M. F., A. V. Hennessey, M. B. McDonald, S. S. Ganegoda, D. Wang, and A. E. Wilson. 2024. Are heavy metals a concern in catfish aquaculture? Alabama Fish Farming Center 1:10-12.

     - Dowload Publication (PDF)

  8. Zinnert, H. M., M. F. Gladfelter, S. E. Tenison, H. P. Poe, K. L. Merrill, A. V. Hennessey, M. B. McDonald, D. Wang, H. A. Torbert, and A. E. Wilson. 2024. Impacts of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum on water quality and the algal community in catfish aquaculture ponds. Aquaculture 581:740406.

     - Link to Publication

  9. Zinnert, H. M., M. F. Gladfelter, H. P. Poe, K. L. Merrill, A. V. Hennessey, M. B. McDonald, D. Wang, H. A. Torbert, and A. E. Wilson. 2023. Positive and negative impacts of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum on water quality. Journal of Environmental Management 348:119307.

     - Link to Publication

My interests focus on the impacts of water quality parameters as toxicity modifying factors of copper sulfate to phytoplankton. I am interested in the sustainable and effective use of chemical-based algaecides to aid producers and pond managers in controlling harmful algal blooms in their systems.

Contact

kzm0163@auburn.edu

Education

Rowan University

2018-2022

Kate Merrill

M.S. Student
2022-2024

  1. Mollica, A. C., M. T. Wesche, M. F. Gladfelter, M. B. McDonald, A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, K. L. Merrill, and A. E. Wilson. 2026. Higher alkalinity increases copper toxicity in phytoplankton: the importance of pH flux when treating algal blooms. Harmful Algae 156:103123.

     - Link to Publication

  2. McDonald, M. B., A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Repeated low-dose copper algaecide treatments promote beneficial phytoplankton and zooplankton communities. Journal of Environmental Management 394: 127502.

     - Link to Publication

  3. McDonald, M. B., A. V. Hennessey, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Reevaluating copper algaecide dosing to manage water quality: A multiple linear regression approach. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 44(10):2957-2966.

     - Link to Publication

  4. Hennessey, A. V., M. B. McDonald, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Lowering pH enhances copper toxicity: A novel strategy for controlling harmful algal blooms and off-flavors. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 302:118549.

     - Link to Publication

  5. Hennessey, A. V., M. B. McDonald, P. P. Johnson, M. F. Gladfelter, K. L. Merrill, S. E. Tenison, S. S. Ganegoda, T. C. Hoang, H. A. Torbert, B. H. Beck, and A. E. Wilson. 2025. Evaluating the tolerance of harmful algal bloom communities to copper. Environmental Pollution 368:125691.

     - Link to Publication

  6. Zinnert, H. M., M. F. Gladfelter, S. E. Tenison, H. P. Poe, K. L. Merrill, A. V. Hennessey, M. B. McDonald, D. Wang, H. A. Torbert, and A. E. Wilson. 2024. Impacts of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum on water quality and the algal community in catfish aquaculture ponds. Aquaculture 581:740406.

     - Link to Publication

  7. Zinnert, H. M., M. F. Gladfelter, H. P. Poe, K. L. Merrill, A. V. Hennessey, M. B. McDonald, D. Wang, H. A. Torbert, and A. E. Wilson. 2023. Positive and negative impacts of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum on water quality. Journal of Environmental Management 348:119307.

     - Link to Publication