Kerry Naish, Professor

knaish (at) uw.edu

I am interested in addressing key issues in conservation genetics by integrating molecular genomics and quantitative genetics. Most of my present work is on Pacific salmon and trout, but I have conducted research on genetic-related issues in a range of organisms. I received my BSc from the University of Cape Town, my BSc (Hons) and MSc from the Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science at Rhodes University, and PhD from the University of Wales Swansea. I held postdocs at the University of Guelph and the Conservation Biology group at the NOAA Northwest Fisheries Science Center before moving to a very rewarding faculty position at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. In my position, I have been very fortunate to work with many wonderful collaborators, especially my students and postdocs.

 

Marine Brieuc, Postdoctoral Research Associate

My current postdoctoral research is aimed at quantifying the interaction between genetic and environmental factors that affect hosts susceptibility to Infectious Hematopoietic Necrosis Virus in Steelhead populations. I received an engineering degree in agronomic sciences with a minor in aquatic and fishery sciences and a focus in aquaculture at the Ecole Nationale Superieure Agronomique de Rennes (France) in 2007. I then studied the role of adaptation in Chinook salmon evolution using genome based approaches, in Kerry’s lab, and obtained my PhD in 2013. As such, I developed several novel approaches to characterizing genome evolution in the salmonids and investigate genetic diversity of life history traits in wild populations.

 

Charles Waters, PhD candidate

I aim to characterize genetic adaptation to captivity, identify fitness traits that may respond to genetic change in salmon hatcheries, and evaluate a management approach that may reduce adverse effects of captive rearing. The overall goal of my work is to develop principles that will maximize the success of conservation-focused breeding programs and help rebuild natural salmon populations. In addition to my graduate research, I work with the UW Chapter of Engineers Without Borders to assist a project that aims to increase production of a trout farm in a remote village in Guatemala. I would like to continue research on captive breeding programs and sustainable aquaculture after obtaining my degree.

 

 

Dan Drinan, PhD

My research focuses on using genomic techniques to identify how hybridization between cutthroat and rainbow trout affects phenotypes, including fitness, and identifying genetic mechanisms that are responsible for those changes. I am originally from Indiana, and prior to joining our lab, earned a Master’s degree from Montana State University (Bozeman, Montana) and a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University (Tempe, Arizona). I received my PhD in 2015.

 

 

Miyako Kodama, PhD.

My research focuses on characterizing the genetic basis of important phenotypic traits, and on understanding how natural and artificial selection affect such traits in coho salmon. I am originally from Fukuoka, Japan and I received a Bachelor’s degree in marine biology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2007. During my PhD, I studied genomic response to growth enhancement in coho salmon, and I received my PhD in 2015. I am currently working in collaboration with Dr. Robert Devlin (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) to investigate how a transgene in genetically modified salmon interacts with their genetic background and influences the expression of various phenotypic traits, using genomic data.