Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota. Fairbanks resident since 1995.

Degree seeking: Ph.D., Fisheries Oceanography

Year of expected graduation: 2006

Major professor: Dr. Brenda Norcross

Previous university: University of Alaska Fairbanks

Previous major: M.S., Biology
 

Briefly describe your graduate project: I am interested in the relationship between ocean temperature and reproduction in marine fish, specifically in Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) (GC/02-02). Cod are a demersal species that have substantial commercial value and are also an important part of the ecosystem. Temperature is important because it is strongly influenced by short- and long-term climatic changes. I have suggested a scenario in which the reproductive potential of female cod—that is, the number of eggs spawned each year as well as the likelihood of those eggs' survival—is dependent on the amount of stored energy they possess.

Because fish are cold-blooded, the amount of energy they consume is directly linked to the temperature of their environment. Preservation of energy stores may be dependent on the ability of females to find the right range of temperatures in which to spawn. Therefore, temperature may be the most important criterion that female cod use to select spawning habitat.

I am conducting three separate research projects to test this idea. One of these will use laboratory analyses of cod tissues to examine the relationship between energy stores and reproductive potential. In the second project, I will use acoustic transmitters to track wild cod and examine habitat preferences and other aspects of cod distribution. The third project involves the use of historical data to see how cod spawning distributions have changed over the years as a result of changes in ocean temperatures.

Why did you choose UAF? Alaska is a tremendous place to study marine fish, and the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences has some great opportunities.

Favorite pastimes and hobbies: I enjoy skiing, fishing, hiking.

Most interesting educational experience so far: Fieldwork on a chartered crab boat in the Bering Sea in January.

Future plans: A postdoctorate in an interesting place (Norway perhaps), then probably working for a federal agency or Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

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