New biologist at the USGS Great Lakes Science Center

[Ann_Zimmerman@usgs.gov (Ann Zimmerman)]

     News Release                        Address
     
     U.S. Department of the Interior     Great Lakes Science Center  
     U.S. Geological Survey              1451 Green Road
                                         Ann Arbor, MI 48105
     
                                         Email: Ray_Argyle@usgs.gov
     
     Release            Contact:         Phone:        Fax:
     
     November 16, 1998  Ray Argyle       734-214-7253   734-994-8780     
     
     
     Dr. Jeffrey S. Schaeffer Joins USGS Great Lakes Science Center
     
     Dr. Jeffrey S. Schaeffer recently joined the U.S. Geological 
     Survey's Great Lakes Science Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a 
     research fishery biologist. In this position, Dr. Schaeffer is part 
     of a small team of scientists and technical staff that apply modern 
     principles and procedures of fishery science to characterize the 
     fish community of Lake Huron. "Jeff brings many years of experience 
     to this position," said USGS GLSC Branch Chief Ray Argyle. "He 
     bridges the gap between ecology and population dynamics 
     effectively, and he understands the human issues involved in 
     resource management."  
     
     The emphasis of Dr. Schaeffer's research will be to quantify the 
     population dynamics of important fish stocks, leading to a better 
     understanding of the processes that shape the fish community, and 
     to identify those characteristics critical to each species. This 
     research is designed to analyze trends, assess the status of the 
     various fish stocks, and test hypotheses regarding population 
     dynamics. 
     
     Dr. Schaeffer received his bachelor's degree in Fisheries 
     Management and his M.S. in Zoology from the  Ohio State University 
     in Columbus, Ohio. He was subsequently employed as an environmental 
     consultant in New England and as an environmental protection 
     specialist with the State of Florida. He received his Ph.D. in 
     Natural Resources from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in 
     1994.  Since then, he has served on the faculty of Eastern Michigan 
     University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and most recently, at the 
     University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida.
     
     Dr. Schaeffer has participated in many research projects throughout 
     the Great Lakes. He has studied the invasion ecology of white 
     perch, predator-prey interactions between walleyes and yellow 
     perch, and the role of large invertebrates in Great Lakes food 
     webs. He has also conducted research in fish energetics, the 
     relationship of barbless fishhooks to reduced hooking mortality, 
     and the role that State and local governments play in the 
     conservation of endangered species.
     
     Dr. Schaeffer relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan with his daughter, 
     Madison, during October. His fiancée, Jo Sousa, and her daughter, 
     Cathryn, will join them next spring. Dr. Schaeffer stated, "I am 
     very honored to join the Great Lakes Science Center. The scientists 
     here have a long tradition of quality research, and I am pleased to 
     have an opportunity to work with them. The Great Lakes are 
     undergoing rapid change, and it will be a challenge to understand 
     the biological processes at work and to learn how we can restore 
     and maintain those resources for future generations."
     
     As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and 
     civilian mapping agency the USGS works in cooperation with more 
     than 2000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, 
     impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, 
     and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by 
     USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from 
     natural disasters, contribute to sound economic and physical 
     development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the 
     quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and 
     mineral resources. 
     
     
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