Posted on August 28, 2024
VICKSBURG, Miss. – Researchers from seven U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Districts have been selected for the 2024 session of the Engineer Research and Development Center University (ERDC-U).
Jake Edwards, a Biologist with the USACE Jacksonville District, has been chosen as a participant for this detail program, now in its ninth year.
ERDC-U Program Lead Antisa Webb, who also serves as Chief of the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT), Technology, Knowledge and Outreach (TKO) Division and program co-sponsor, announced the 2024 selectees.
“ERDC-U facilitates collaborations between participants from USACE Divisions and Districts and mentors from relevant laboratories, engaging in six-month research projects aimed at developing technical solutions that benefit their workplaces, the Corps and the nation,” Webb said.
Jon Lane, who serves as Edwards’ branch chief at the Jacksonville District, praised his selection for ERDC-U.
“Jake’s dedication and hard work will be a benefit to any project, and his unique skill set and knowledge base would make him a highly qualified and a valuable participant in this program,” Lane said.
While working with subject-matter experts from ERDC’s seven laboratories, participants will focus on real-world solutions and develop leadership skills to take back to their home organizations.
Edwards serves as a biologist in the Invasive Species Management Branch of the Jacksonville District, where he specializes in managing and controlling invasive species through comprehensive field surveys and projects across aquatic and terrestrial systems.
He utilizes his expertise in GPS and GIS techniques to track and analyze geospatial attributes and implements various methods such as chemical, biocontrol and mechanical pathways to restore ecosystem functions. Additionally, he is proficient in interagency invasive species programs, public presentations and budget management to support invasive species management initiatives.
Having served in various roles in both state and federal government, Edwards is driven by the potential experiences offered by this program. His work to manage invasive species in Florida highlighted a need for his home district to engage with ERDC.
He joined fellow selectees during their orientation session February 27-29, 2024, on the Vicksburg, Mississippi, campus, where they met their mentors and discussed planned projects.
Edwards was mentored by Dr.Todd Slack, a Fisheries Biologist from the ERDC Environmental Laboratory (EL). The EL, one of the four laboratories on the Vicksburg campus, was highlighted during the orientation tours.
Bio photo of Jacksonville District’s Jake Edwards
Edwards’ project focused on the Asian swamp eel, an invasive species which poses a significant threat to the Florida Everglades and other southeastern aquatic ecosystems. This species has the potential to disrupt local environments, but current knowledge about its natural history, biology and impact is limited. As a result, regional environmental managers struggle to assess the extent of the issue and develop effective management strategies.
To address these gaps in information, a summit is scheduled to be organized for the week of September 1st, focusing on three key areas: the current understanding of the Asian swamp eel invasion, its ecological impacts, and potential mitigation strategies. This collaborative effort aimed to provide a comprehensive overview and actionable steps to manage the invasion. The summit will highlight the leadership role of USACE and ERDC in tackling invasive aquatic species on a national scale.
Edward’s project involved planning and executing this summit in relation to the Asian swamp eel. This non-native fish has the potential to greatly impact native fish and wildlife, such as crayfish and small forage fish. His summit will gather state, federal, tribal and academic together to present a plan forward to address the invasive eel’s expansion. Under the tutelage of Dr. Todd Slack, this event will showcase USACE and ERDC as premier entities, involved in invasive species management and aquatic habitats. As Edwards noted, “through this program, I was able to leverage the R&D capabilities of the world’s best research institution to lead partners to a better future for aquatic systems in Florida.”
Following the summit, the findings will be compiled along with participant feedback and existing research on Asian swamp eels. This information will be used to produce an ERDC technical document outlining the expansion of the Asian swamp eel and its implications for natural resource management.
The program is co-sponsored by ERDC’s Directorate of Human Capital (DHC) through an application process for the March through August session. Program funding is split between the selectees’ Division or District for choice of labor costs or travel with the other funded by ERDC.
Upon completion of ERDC-U, Edwards, along with the seven other selectees, will attend a graduation ceremony on September 10 at the Vicksburg, Mississippi, campus. During the ceremony, Edwards will present his extensive research efforts and results from his project titled “Invasive Asian Swamp Eel summit.”
Applications will open in October for the 2025 ERDC-U session. For information on ERDC-U and applications, visit: https://wiki.erdc.dren.mil/ERDC_University.
