OUR TEAM
Mark Scheuerell
Principal Investigator
Mark’s research interests lie at the intersection of ecology and management. He is broadly interested in the roles of natural and anthropogenic drivers on freshwater and coastal ecosystems, and the services we derive from them. You can find out more about Mark’s research and teaching interests here. Mark also appreciates a healthy work-life balance. In his free time, Mark enjoys cycling, skiing, and enjoying Seattle and the surrounding area with his family.
Markus Min
PhD Student
Markus’s research interests are primarily focused on the application of ecological and statistical models to the management of marine ecosystems and fisheries. In addition to his research, Markus is also passionate about mentoring, teaching, and advancing equity in science. Prior to coming to SAFS, he completed his BS in Marine Biology at UCLA and worked as a research assistant in the Biological Oceanography Group at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). While his research at both UCLA and MBARI was focused on the new, exciting field of environmental DNA (eDNA), it was his time spent studying groundfish as an intern at NOAA Fisheries that inspired him to return to Seattle to study fisheries science and marine ecology at SAFS. In addition to his academic interests, Markus enjoys playing music, baking, fishing, hiking, and soccer. Find out more about Markus here.
Brian McGreal
PhD Student
Brian’s academic interests focus on management of common pool resources. He graduated from the University of Arizona in December 2021 with a MS in Applied Econometrics and Policy Analysis from the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. He was the primary author of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center’s 2021 Arroyo, Groundwater Management – Past, Present and Future and 2022 Arroyo, Water Resilience – Indigenous Perspectives. Brian is currently pursuing a PhD in Quantitative Ecology and Resource Management, where he’s receiving intensive training in the application of statistical, mathematical, and decision sciences to terrestrial and aquatic ecology, natural resource management, biometrics, and mathematical biology. Brian’s research involves best management practices for salmon populations.
Nicole Doran
MS Student
Nicole is interested in studying culturally important fishery species that have been impacted by environmental change. Her current thesis work involves studying the impacts of urbanization, climate change, and predation by introduced species on Kokanee salmon in Lake Sammamish. Nicole is passionate about increasing equity and inclusion in STEM through her involvement with the SAFS Equity and Inclusion Committee and organizations such as the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and Society for the Advancements of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys reading, cooking, and playing video games. Feel free to reach out if you have questions about the lab, her research, or how to support DEI in STEM!
Andrea Hennings
MS Student
Andrea is a biologist with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Marine Fish Science Unit where she is the Unit’s remotely operated vehicle (ROV) program data manager, video annotation supervisor, and field coordinator, as well as an ROV pilot. In this position, her work supports long-term monitoring and population assessments of Salish Sea groundfish, principally rockfish and lingcod, in untrawlable habitats. Prior to WDFW, Andrea was support staff to the Snohomish County Marine Resources Committee (MRC) where she contributed to a range of projects, including the development of a derelict crabbing gear education and outreach program and the regional citizen science expansion of the NOAA Mussel Watch water quality program. When she’s not looking at fish on a computer, Andrea enjoys growing her own food, skiing, and sailing with her husband and rescue dog.
Tessa Code
MS Student
Tessa’s interests include predator-prey dynamics and studying anthropogenic influence on marine and freshwater species. Her current work focuses on the impact of artificial light levels on predation risk to juvenile salmon in Lake Washington, WA. Before joining SAFS, Tessa worked for the National Park Service in St Croix, USVI where she developed skills in hydro-acoustics, scuba-diving, and long-term saturation tagging projects. While working as a marine debris technician for the NOAA Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, she found a passion for cleaning up the ocean and minimizing anthropogenic effects on marine species. After moving back to Seattle, Tessa began working for the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center, where she remains a biological science technician. In her free time, Tessa enjoys kayaking on the Puget Sound, tending to her vegetable garden, and snuggling with her rescue pup, Jacque.
Amirah Casey
MS Student
Amirah recently graduated from Western Washington University with a BS in Marine and Coastal Science with a minor in Spanish. While at WWU, she took part in research on the effects of PCBs and PBDEs on zebrafish and surf smelt. During her four years as an undergraduate, she was a marine science education intern at foundry10, the first undergraduate to teach a lab section of organismal biology, a peer mentor for the Marine and Coastal Science program and worked on the education team at Blue Zoo aquarium. In addition to her studies in SAFS, Amirah is a member of the Future Rivers program. When she is not in the lab or doing schoolwork, Amirah enjoys going to the gym, exploring the city with friends, and watching her favorite TV shows.
Sarah Hensley
Undergraduate
Sarah is a senior majoring in Marine Biology, and is particularly interested in better understanding the influence environmental change is having on our ecosystems and individual species through statistical analysis and research. She has spent some time interning with NOAA Fisheries in the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest Fisheries Science Centers which has inspired her to continue pursuing research in this field. Her projects involved looking at climate change impacts on locally important species, ranging from dolphins to spiny dogfish. This year Sarah is participating in research concerning various Northwest Atlantic fish species with support from the Mary Gates Endowment, in partnership with the NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center. Outside of academics, Sarah enjoys hiking, kayaking, and listening to music in the great outdoors, as well as painting.
Callie Murakami
Undergraduate
Callie is a sophomore majoring in Aquatic & Fishery Sciences and planning to minor in Quantitative Science. She is exploring the fisheries field and has an interest in freshwater ecology and conservation. With a grant from Conservation, Research and Education Opportunities International, Callie is working with Markus and collaborators at WDFW to understand spatial and temporal patterns of marine debris in Puget Sound. Callie volunteered at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery in the fall of 2023 to help with coho and Chinook spawning, and has been interested in getting more hands-on experience ever since. When she is not studying, Callie enjoys playing roller derby, sewing, drawing, playing video games, and spending time with her roommates.
