Stephanie Carlson

Stephanie Carlson is a Professor and A.S. Leopold Chair in Wildlife Biology at the University of California, Berkeley, affiliated with the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) within the College of Natural Resources. She holds a PhD in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences from the University of Washington (2006), an M.S. in Organismic and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Massachusetts (2002), and a B.S. in Evolution and Ecology from UC Davis (1999).

Her research focuses on fish ecology, river ecology, and the impacts of climate change on freshwater systems. Key areas include salmon portfolio dynamics, life-history diversity, and Indigenous fisheries management. Her lab employs field studies, tagging, experimental manipulations, and modeling to understand fish population resilience and ecosystem dynamics.

Carlson’s work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including Fellowships from the American Fisheries Society (2021) and the California Academy of Sciences (2021). She leads the Carlson Lab, part of the Berkeley Freshwater group, collaborating with researchers like Ted Grantham and Albert Ruhí. Her teaching includes courses on Fish Ecology, Freshwater Ecology, and Tropical Island Biology.

Her research highlights include studies on salmon migration phenology, drought impacts, and genetic rescue in endangered populations. She emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, integrating ecology, conservation, and Indigenous knowledge to address freshwater biodiversity challenges.