Dr. David Argent and Kris Clark review plans to deploy an underwater drone in the Mon River.

 

For Garrett Fryar and Kris Clark, both fisheries and wildlife biology majors, an ordinary summer turned into a once-in-a-lifetime research opportunity: exploring the Monongahela River with an underwater drone. 

Under the guidance of Dr. David Argent, professor of fisheries and wildlife sciences at PennWest California, the seniors are part of a project evaluating 73 artificial reef structures installed after the removal of the Elizabeth Lock and Dam in 2024. Their mission? To see how fish, mussels and plants colonize the river. 

The work is made possible through a Center for Faculty Excellence grant that funded both the drone and student research positions. Fryar and Clark spend hours reviewing footage captured by the remotely operated vehicle — footage that has already revealed thriving aquatic communities. 

“Getting into the field is something most students don’t get to do,” Clark said. “But in our field, experience is everything. This project is giving us skills we can take directly into our careers.” 

For Fryar, who has a minor in hydrology, the lesson goes beyond science.  

“You can learn all you want in the classroom, but if you can’t apply it in the field, what good is it? This experience taught me how to collect data, process it and explain it so others can see why it matters,” he said. 

Argent, who has taught at PennWest for more than 25 years, believes these experiences are transformative.  

“I always tell students: Never say no to an opportunity,” he said. “You never know which project or research trip might open the door to your first job.” 

The team has already evaluated nearly 30 reefs, with plans to continue into the fall. Their findings will be shared at PennWest’s Strike a Spark Conference and at national gatherings of the American Fisheries Society. Argent said he hopes to carry the project forward for years to come, building toward the Society’s 2027 national meeting in Pittsburgh. 

For Fryar and Clark, it’s more than a research line on a résumé — it’s proof that the Monongahela River is alive with possibility. And it’s a reminder that at PennWest, discovery doesn’t just happen in a classroom. 

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