Dr. Blankenship is a leading expert on population genetics of West Coast fishes.
His interests focus on combining the newest tools of molecular biology and genetics
theory with field observations of fish populations and their habitat to create
solutions for some of the most challenging issues in fishery management, hatchery
operations, and population recovery.
Responsibilities: Scott keeps the Cramer Fish Sciences team and
clients up to speed on the tremendous informational opportunities afforded by genetic
methods and implements projects using these innovative, yet practical techniques.
For example, genetic methods can routinely provide abundance metrics useful for
Viable Salmon Population assessment, model validation, estimating reproductive
success by habitat type, or determining composition and gene flow among hatchery
and wild fish. In addition to technical expertise, Dr. Blankenship is also known
for his can-do attitude, enthusiasm, and leadership within multi-interest group
collaborations.
"Applying the insights obtained from genetic research to the
enhancement of imperiled species is an effective way to provide science relevant
to society and to communicate the importance of supporting scientific inquiry."
Background: Dr. Blankenship received his Ph.D. in genetics from the University
of California, Davis studying the relationship between genetic diversity and
population boundaries. He then went on to a postdoc at UC Santa Cruz / NOAA
studying population genetics of California Chinook salmon and related data
system infrastructure. Scott became a geneticist with the Washington Department
of Fish and Wildlife's Molecular Genetics Laboratory, becoming Director of the WDFW
genetics program prior to joining the Cramer Fish Sciences team.
Personal:
When Scott is not at work, you can find him racing bikes, online gaming, reading
graphic novels, flailing at the guitar, or talking with his son about the benefits
of having your own lights if you are an angler fish. "Go outside, enjoy the
majesty of nature while you are passing through, and leave things in better shape
than you found them." |
