Current Research Projects
Christie, Patrick, Principal Investigator
Finding common ground: communicating across borders to restore the Salish Sea
Tribal and non-tribal students co-create digital stories regarding topics such as tribal sovereignty, fishery treaty rights, and tribally-led environmental restoration.
Essington, Timothy, Principal Investigator
Researchers compile existing trawl surveys to examine groundfish distribution patterns that are driven by temperature and oxygen levels; using models, they will use this information to project future short- and long-term distribution trends as the ocean continues to change.
Francis, Tessa, Principal Investigator
Scaling shoreline restoration to improve nearshore marine habitat for salmon and forage fishes
Researchers study the link between shoreline type (armored, restored, natural) and fish assemblages by conducting surveys and integrating their new data into an existing database to gain insight into this link at multiple spatial scales.
Hauser, Lorenz, Principal Investigator
Researchers develop a new tool for assessing population structures of rockfish, based on genetic markers for eight rockfish species in Puget Sound.
Jardine, Sunny, Principal Investigator
Maximizing returns on investing in barrier culvert removal in Washington state
Researchers create an online mapping tool allowing planners and jurisdictions to identify and prioritize state-wide barrier culvert restoration for quality habitat restoration within given budget constraints.
Morzaria-Luna, Hem Nalini, Principal Investigator
Researchers employ Atlantis ecosystem modeling to evaluate the ecosystem-level effects of the Southern Resident orca recovery actions and external threats in the marine ecosystem of Puget Sound.
Naish, Kerry, Principal Investigator
Native Eelgrass Population Structure
This project seeks to determine the population structure and the genetic basis of phenotypic diversity in native eelgrass (Zostera marina) populations in Washington State.
Norman, Emma, Principal Investigator
Researchers are developing a methodology to study Indigenous aquaculture that incorporates the practices and frameworks of the Lummi Nation, with the aim of promoting Indigenous self-determination, knowledge, learning and science.
Padilla-Gamiño, Jacqueline, Principal Investigator
Unblocking bottlenecks in recovery of endangered pinto abalone populations
Research sheds light on best practices for growing pinto abalone, an endangered species in Washington; findings such as determining coralline algae and GABA to be effective settlement cues could help the success of restoration efforts.
Poe, Melissa, Principal Investigator
Cross-Pacific Indigenous Aquaculture Hub
Cross-Pacific regional partners form a collaborative hub integrating research, outreach, and education to advance sustainable Indigenous Aquaculture practices.
Resende, Fernando, Principal Investigator
Hydrothermal conversion of sugar kelp into hydrocarbons
Researchers employ catalytic hydrothermal liquefaction to convert wet sugar kelp to hydrocarbons that can be used as drop-in transportation fuels or high-value chemicals, and engage UW students through summer courses on kelp aquaculture and product development.
Roberts, Steven, Principal Investigator
Using cutting-edge genomics technology, researchers develop a novel method for growing oysters for the shellfish industry that are more stable, amenable to breeding, and cost effective than the triploid oyster.
Scordino, Jonathan, Principal Investigator
Research provides tribal fishery managers with the tools needed to make informed decisions about pinniped management that support salmon recovery and affirm Tribal treaty rights.
Sofield, Ruth, Principal Investigator
Researchers conduct the first comprehensive assessment of seaweed contamination that considers seasonality in Washington, collecting seaweed samples that they will use to analyze how contaminants of concern vary among species and over time.
Toft, Jodie, Principal Investigator
Researchers investigate the genetic population structure of Salish Sea bull kelp forests to inform restoration and aquaculture.