Welcome

This is my school sponsered web site, here you will find a little about me and my research.  I am pursuing a Masters degree in the QERM (Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management) program at the University of Washington.   I went to Colorado College  and graduated with a  B.A. in Mathematics(2001) and have been enrolled in the QERM program since 2003.

Current work

My project is part of a combined effort with Cindy Tribuzio and Gordon Kruse at the University of Alaska Fairbanks Juneau Center with an overall goal of better understanding the role of dogfish sharks in the Northeast Pacific.

Currently there is no major commercial dogfish fishery in Alaska.  However due to a long lifespan, late age at maturity, long gestation period (22-24 months) and low fecundity dogfish are susceptible to overfishing.  The potential sensitivity of Squalus acanthias (dogfish) to overfishing is heightened by fact that fishery bycatch often selects for larger, mature animals.  Investigations into the abundance, life history and population dynamics are critical to understand the role of this fish in the ecosystem before a major fishery is developed.  Our project combines direct field sampling with archival records collection from both state and federal agencies.  Combined these data sets provide a wealth of information regarding dogfish bycatch occurrence.  I am currently modeling the historical record of dogfish bycatch in order to estimate local abundance in the Gulf of Alaska.

Details

My project is funded by the North Pacific Research Board. I am a member of the Shark Research Group here at the University,  Professor Vince Gallucci is my advisor, he is a member of the School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences faculty.