Abigail J. Lynch
Doctoral Student
Office Phone: 517-432-5238
Email: lynchabi@msu.edu
Link to CV: Abigail J. Lynch's CV
Education:
Ph.D candidate in Fisheries and Wildlife with a dual major in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior and a doctoral specialization in Environmental Science and Public Policy
M.S. Marine Science, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary
masters thesis: A molecular analysis of Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) stock structure
B.A. English, B.S. Biology, University of Virginia
undergraduate thesis: Genetic analysis of margined madtom (Norturus insignis) to determine the conservation status of the spotted morph
Bio:
Abigail J. Lynch grew up in Falls Church, Virginia and graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in biology and B.A. in English in 2005. She received her M.S. in marine science from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary in 2009 for her thesis research entitled: A molecular analysis of Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) stock structure. Abby was then awarded a one year John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Fisheries Division headquarters office. She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife with a dual major in Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, and Behavior and a doctoral specialization in Environmental Science and Policy.
Abby's dissertation research focus is developing a decision-support tool to regulate harvest management strategies for lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) in a changing climate. Lake whitefish support the most economically valuable commercial fishery in the upper Great Lakes and are a sentinel species in the cold water fish community. In addition to ecological impacts, climate change will significantly affect these fisheries.
Within the last year, she has published (or has in press) three peer reviewed papers, one position paper, one book chapter, and two co-edited books; she has presented at three international conferences; and she has received numerous awards that recognize her excellence in science and policy (i.e., Clark Hubbs Research Assistance Award, MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Retention Award, Teddy Roosevelt Conservation and Environmental Leadership Fellowship, Janice Lee Fenske Excellence in Fisheries Management Fellowship).
Research Interests:
Abby's research interests focus on marine and freshwater fish conservation with a management focus on fisheries systems.
Organization(s):
American Fisheries Society, American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists, Sea Grant Climate Change Network, American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Association for Great Lakes Research, Midwest Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Climate Change Committee, Michigan State University Canadian Studies Center Associate.