Lisa and Jim Seeb, research professors at SAFS for 13 years, retired at the end of September. Their links to the School, however, stretch far back—both were graduate students in the (then) School of Fisheries (Lisa, PhD 1986 [Gunderson]; Jim PhD 1987) before establishing the first fisheries genetics laboratory in Alaska. After 16 years with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (AD-F&G), they were lured to SAFS in 2007 and have been here ever since. Lisa and Jim have made major contributions to population genetic methods and their application to Pacific salmonids. Their work has improved the conservation and use of these iconic species.

In July, Professor John Horne eagerly returned to the field after more than a year of pandemic related delays. As part of a multi-institutional science team, John set sail aboard the R/V Point Sur from Gulfport, Mississippi, testing new technologies to study deeper waters of the Gulf of Mexico in more detail. This voyage was also the first opportunity for John and his team to deploy the new glider technology they have been developing.

SAFS welcomes its first Diversity Specialist, Michael Martínez. The SAFS Diversity Specialist will fill a key role in the School’s ongoing efforts to become an equitable, inclusive, and welcoming academic and professional institution for students, staff, faculty, and colleagues. Michael comes to SAFS by way of the Northwest School, where they were a Residential Life Coordinator who worked to create a culture of inclusion and equity among students and faculty from different backgrounds.

Capstone research projects provide an exciting opportunity for students to put classroom learning into practice. These senior projects are the culmination of the undergraduate experience here at SAFS. Josef Mayor’s (BS 2021) capstone project focused on Chinook salmon in the Stillaguamish River and how stream flow impacts salmon eggs as well as the timing of juvenile migrations. He plans to continue to work with his advisor Tom Quinn and publish the study before returning for graduate school.

Martin Hall is a long-term and consistent champion for the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (SAFS). Martin was born in Buenos Aires and completed his undergraduate studies in marine biology at the University of Buenos Aires. His interests were mainly in ecology and resource management, which led to a background in statistics and quantitative ecology. After his undergraduate studies, he received a Fulbright Fellowship and earned his Ph.D. at SAFS, then the School of Fisheries.

Each year, our students, faculty, and staff win regional, national, and international awards. Please join us in congratulating this year’s group of award winners!

September 6, 1926–March 17, 2021

We thank the Liston family and SAFS faculty and students for their contributions to this memoriam. Some content was adapted from the Seattle Times obituary published on May 16, 2021.

June 29, 1927–March 17, 2021

Thanks to Dick’s family and many students, colleagues, and friends for their contributions to this memoriam. Some content was adapted from an obituary published by Dignity Memorial https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/snohomish-wa/richard-whitney-10114346.

On 17 March 2021, Richard (Dick) Whitney, SAFS professor emeritus, passed away at the age of 93.

It is now late summer, and the dog days seem to be behind us—even the blackberries seem to be fading away. We are starting to get ready for another academic year, with a new cohort of undergraduate and graduate students and, of course, new and ongoing challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

16 April 1949– December 24, 2020

Thanks to Glenn’s many students, colleagues, and friends for their contributions to this memoriam. Some content was adapted from an article published in the February 2021 issue of Marine Mammal Science

On 24 December 2020, Glenn VanBlaricom, SAFS professor emeritus, passed away at the age of 71 following a long battle with thyroid cancer.