Abigail J. Lynch

Abigail J. Lynch is a Research Fish Biologist with the USGS National Climate Adaptation Science Center, where she leads the aquatics program and co-leads the CASC Fish Research Team. She holds adjunct faculty positions at Michigan State University, North Carolina State University, the University of Florida, and the University of Missouri. Dr. Lynch serves as coordinator for the international 'InFish' research network and is actively involved in several professional organizations including the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group and the American Fisheries Society.

Dr. Lynch received her educational training at prestigious institutions:

• Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University, focusing on climate impacts to Great Lakes Lake Whitefish
• M.S. in Marine Science from the College of William & Mary, studying Atlantic Menhaden population genetics
• B.S. in Biology and B.A. in English Literature from the University of Virginia
• She also completed a Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's Fisheries Program

Dr. Lynch's research focuses on the impacts of global change on inland fishes at multiple scales. Her work examines how climate change affects fish populations and aquatic ecosystems, with particular attention to developing decision-support tools for fisheries management. She investigates the connections between inland fish, fisheries, and their ecosystems to inform conservation strategies and sustainable use practices. Her research spans from local field studies to global syntheses, addressing critical questions about how fishers, managers, and other practitioners can adapt to environmental changes.

Dr. Lynch has received recognition for her contributions to the field, including the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from Michigan State University College of Agriculture & Natural Resources. She serves as an Associate Editor for Fisheries Management and Ecology and on the Editorial Board for Sustainability Science. Her professional service extends to international bodies including the IPBES Global and Nexus Assessments and the UN International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture 2022 Steering Committee.

As a leader in her field, Dr. Lynch coordinates the international 'InFish' research network and stewards important data resources including the Fish and Climate Change Database (FiCli) and the U.S. Inland Creel & Angler Survey Catalog (CreelCat). She is actively involved in developing the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework for climate adaptation, creating tools and resources to help resource managers make informed decisions in the face of ecological changes.