Twelve AFS Members Honored as Fellows of the Society

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2021

Twelve AFS Members Honored as Fellows of the Society

Baltimore, Md. (November 8, 2021) – At the American Fisheries Society (AFS) 151st Annual Meeting in Baltimore, AFS Past President Brian Murphy recognized 12 fisheries professionals named as AFS Fellows in 2021. AFS designates as Fellows of the Society certain members who have made outstanding or meritorious contributions to the diversity of fields that are included in the American Fisheries Society. Contributions can include, but are not restricted to, efforts in leadership, research, teaching and mentoring, resource management and/or conservation, and outreach/interaction with the public. Only living AFS members who have been in the Society for at least five years are eligible.

The designation of an AFS member as an AFS Fellow is an honorific title. Fellows are listed on the AFS website. The 12 newly elected Fellows are:

Stephanie Carlson, Ph.D., A.S. Leopold Chair in Wildlife Biology at the University of California Berkeley, has made major contributions to understanding of human impacts on the evolution and population of fishes, especially salmonids. She is active in efforts to diversify the fisheries profession and has mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students. Carlson also received the J Frances Allen Scholarship Award from AFS in 2006.
Villy Christensen, Ph.D., Professor, University of British Columbia, is the core developer of the world’s most widely used ecosystem modelling approach, Ecopath with Ecosim. His research activities focus on evaluating the impact of climate change on life in the oceans, and with that, assessments of future marine biodiversity and ecosystem services. He received the AFS Award of Excellence in 2020.
Margaret Docker, Ph.D., Professor, University of Manitoba, has advanced the field of genetics and contributes to many aspects of fisheries management, including freshwater and saltwater species, exploited species, invasive species, and species at risk. She has emphasized the high-impact training of new researchers, and has exhibited leadership in the global lamprey research/control/conservation community.
Marlis Douglas, Ph.D., endowed professor in Biological Sciences at the University of Arkansas, is a conservation geneticist focused on the diversification of species, populations, or communities within a landscape perspective, and how such knowledge can be translated into real-world applications. She has worked tirelessly to advance capacity for best practices in fisheries science in countries around the world and is the current president of the AFS Genetics Section.
Michael Douglas, Ph.D., Professor and Endowed Chair at the University of Arkansas, is a molecular ecologist focused on the genetic variation found in communities, populations, and species and how such variation is affected by historical and contemporary habitat fragmentation. His work has advanced molecular techniques and creatively applied them to fisheries management in domestic and global partnerships.
Timothy Essington, Ph.D., Professor at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and Director of the Center for Quantitative Sciences as well as the QERM Graduate Program at the University of Washington, made contributions to fisheries science that have advanced understanding of the interconnections between marine ecosystems and human society. He is among the vanguard of scientists who translate knowledge into practice through development of sophisticated yet readily applicable decision-support models.
Don Gabelhouse, FP-C, Fisheries Division Administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (retired), is a recognized leader in fisheries techniques and their standardization, communicating sport fish population size distributions, and developing visionary fishery management and outreach programs. His widely cited sport fish population research is taught widely in fisheries management courses across the country. As Chief of Fisheries in Nebraska, he created the first aquatic habitat improvement program. He previously received the AFS Distinguished Service Award and was president of the Fisheries Administration Section.
Stanley Gregory, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus at Oregon State University, is known internationally for his research and is recognized as an excellent teacher, but his most significant legacy may be his leadership and mentoring of fisheries biologists. His efforts have emphasized the importance of including women and people of color in the fisheries profession.
Ellen Marsden, Ph.D., Professor, University of Vermont, is a highly respected fisheries scientist whose commitment to excellence in science and to the use of scientific information in natural resource decision-making has had enormous positive impact for fisheries science and management in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain basins. Throughout her career she has exhibited a strong commitment to communicating science, including with journalists and policymakers, and to mentoring students. (Photo available)
Gary Matlock, Ph.D., FP-C, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has throughout his career linked science to resource conservation and management to eliminate overfishing through US estuarine and marine waters and in international waters. He has been recognized by NOAA for his accomplishments on scientific integrity as well as his significant contributions to diversity initiatives. He previously received the William E. Ricker Resource Conservation Award from AFS in 2002.
Daniel Schindler, Ph.D., Professor at the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences at the University of Washington, has made outstanding contributions to understanding of aquatic systems and the fisheries they support, especially how connectivity at different scales affects ecosystem dynamics and ecosystem services through the portfolio effect. He has been a vocal advocate for conservation of pristine ecosystems that support fisheries.
Randall Schultz, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, is a tireless volunteer for AFS, a strong advocate for the profession, and a leader in fisheries techniques investigations. He is a servant-leader in the fisheries profession, and has demonstrated excellence in research, communication, administration, leadership, and service to the Society. Schultz currently serves as the AFS Constitutional Consultant and previously served as president of the North Central Division and the Fisheries Management Section. He received the AFS Distinguished Service Award in 2003.

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Editor’s notes:

About AFS: Founded in 1870, the American Fisheries Society (AFS) is the world’s oldest and largest fisheries science society. The mission of AFS is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals. With five journals and numerous books and conferences, AFS is the leading source of fisheries science and management information in North America and around the world.