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. 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
2. 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)
3. 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
4. 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