The Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) welcomes new large river fisheries ecologist Jehnsen Lebsock!
Jehnsen knew he wanted a career in the sciences—the fisheries world in particular—since he was very young.
As a middle schooler, he had the opportunity to shadow Dave Bubb, a scientist who conducts water quality sampling on lakes across Nebraska, for a job shadowing school project.
“Dave was nice enough to take me out and collect samples on a few lakes as well as giving me a tour through the lab and its equipment,” Jehnsen said. “I can say definitively that this experience and the information Dave was able to give me led to my desire and pursuit of a career in the sciences.”
Jehnsen went on to earn a bachelor’s of science in “fisheries and wildlife” from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL). He also minored in both environmental studies and water science.
While at UNL, Jehnsen worked as a technician for the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (now Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy). He was responsible for numerous projects from stream biological sampling to monitoring water quality in rivers, streams, and lakes across Nebraska.
Jehnsen accepted a graduate research assistant position at Western Illinois University (WIU) after graduating from UNL. His research at WIU focussed on using acoustic telemetry to identify Asian carps’ movement and habitat preferences in the Upper Illinois River waterway.
Jehnsen will continue conducting Asian carp research as a large river fisheries ecologist at INHS.
“I am looking forward to all aspects of the important Asian carp research being done at INHS, but most interesting and exciting for me will be assisting during the harvest events on the Illinois River,” Jehnsen said.