The American Fisheries Society, the world’s oldest and largest fisheries science society, has named Dr. Ellen Marsden, professor in the University of Vermont Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources, a 2021 Fellow. This prestigious North America-wide honor recognizes her impressive contributions to fisheries research, management, and teaching on Lake Champlain and the Great Lakes for more than three decades.
The American Fisheries Society (AFS) announced its 12 2021 Fellows at the 151st AFS annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, November 6-10.
"Dr. Marsden’s selection as an AFS Fellow is well-deserved,” said Dr. Jason Stockwell, professor and director of the Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory at the University of Vermont. “Dr. Marsden is a distinguished, well-known, highly respected fishery science professional who is committed to excellence in science, to the use of scientific information in natural resource decision-making, to the conservation of natural resources, and to the development of tomorrow’s fisheries professionals. Her contributions are second-to-none in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain basins specifically and to large lake ecosystems overall."
"Since joining the faculty at the University of Vermont in 1996, Dr. Marsden has been a leader in advancing knowledge on native fisheries restoration efforts and the impacts of invasive species,” said Rubenstein School Dean Nancy Mathews. “Her research helped to investigate and document the surprising return of wild lake trout to Lake Champlain. Dr. Marsden has been a tireless advocate for students, mentoring many well into their careers. We are delighted to see this recognition of her achievements.”
AFS also credited Dr. Marsden for her strong commitment to communicating science, including with journalists and policymakers. Author of over 130 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, she has advised 28 master’s students, PhD candidates, and postdoctoral associates. In addition to nine best or most highly cited paper awards, Dr. Marsden has received numerous major awards from her peers for her outstanding research and contributions to fisheries management.
Most recently the New York Council of Trout Unlimited bestowed Dr. Marsden with their 2019 Professional Achievement Award for her decades-long work studying trout populations and impacts of parasitic, invasive sea lampreys in Lake Champlain. That same year, the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission honored Dr. Marsden with the distinguished Christie-Loftus Award for her more than thirty years at the forefront of fisheries science in both the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain.
“I am very honored to be invited to become a Fellow of the American Fisheries Society and join a remarkable group of colleagues,” said Dr. Marsden. “But really, the honor is due to the amazing mentors, colleagues, post-docs, students, and techs that I’ve had the good fortune to work with and learn from and with whom I’ve enjoyed the whole journey—thank you to one and all.”
About the American Fisheries Society
The mission of the American Fisheries Society is to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals. With five journals and numerous books and conferences, AFS is the leading source of fisheries science and management information in North America and around the world.
The Society comprises almost 50 chapters in its four divisions throughout North America and includes more than 8000 members from around the world. Fellows of the Society must be regular, dues-paying members and longtime fisheries professionals who are nominated based on their outstanding contributions to the field.
Learn more about the American Fisheries Society Fellows Program.