(888) 224-1221
Locations
Christy Cheung, B.S.
Administrative & Payroll Specialist
Phone: (206) 960-4616
Issaquah, Washington
Month: May 2025
Matt Burke, B.S.
Senior Biological Technician
B.S. Natural Resource Management
Portland, Oregon
Matt Burke is a senior biological technician with specialized experience conducting fieldwork throughout the Pacific Northwest. His work focuses on conserving native fish species and their habitats, with particular expertise in habitat surveys and fish distribution assessment using various methods. Matt has developed strong skills in juvenile and adult salmonid identification and has led pre- and post-restoration monitoring efforts and fish population estimates while working with the U.S. Forest Service. His history working with multiple agencies including the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Idaho Fish and Game has equipped him with comprehensive knowledge of detailed protocols for biological fieldwork.
Shelby Sawtelle, B.S.
Senior Biological Technician
B.S. Biology
Portland, Oregon
Vickie Zeller, B.S.
Senior Laboratory Technician
B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation Sciences
Phone: (888) 224-1221
West Sacramento, California
As a senior lab technician specializing in native fish populations, Vickie transforms DNA into actionable insights that protect our aquatic ecosystems. Vickie’s laboratory prowess spans the full spectrum of genetic analysis—from meticulous sample cataloging and multi-method DNA extractions to sophisticated quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis and gel electrophoresis. Vickie’s fieldwork reads like a conservation success story. They’ve tracked the leading edge of northern pike invasions in the Columbia River Basin, providing critical intelligence to protect native fish communities. Their work has shed light on Pacific lamprey populations in Oregon’s headwaters, providing vital information to Tribal nations. In Montana, Vickie played a key role in brook trout eradication projects, helping restore balance to threatened ecosystems. Vickie seamlessly bridges laboratory precision with hands-on fieldwork. Whether collecting eDNA samples that reveal the invisible presence of species, conducting electrofishing surveys, or expertly identifying fish species in the field, Vickie brings the same meticulous attention to detail that defines their lab work.
Selected Publications
Barber-Meyer, S.M., V. Zeller, and K.L. Pilgrim. 2022. Testing Environmental DNA from Wolf Snow Tracks for Species, Sex, and Individual Identification-An Addendum. Canadian Wildlife Biology & Management 11(1):12-14.
Young, M.K., D.J. Isaak, D. Nagel, D.L. Horan, K.J. Carim, T.W. Franklin, V.A. Zeller, B. Roper, and M.K. Schwartz. 2022. Broad-scale eDNA sampling for describing aquatic species distributions in running waters: Pacific lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus in the upper Snake River, USA. Journal of Fish Biology 101(5):1312-1325.