An LSU biologist has used a Research Competitiveness Subprogram grant to pursue his research into the responses of freshwater fish gill to parasitism by larval freshwater mussel, and to build strong student training and outreach programs. Through development of techniques and infrastructure produced as a byproduct of RCS support, the PI’s lab has greatly increased capacity for performing a diverse range of experiments and analysis, and the lab now houses numerous student researchers from undergraduate to post-doctoral levels.