Amy Bishop

Amy Bishop is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), specializing in marine predator ecology and food-web dynamics in North Pacific and Atlantic coastal ecosystems. Her research integrates field and laboratory techniques to address conservation challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Behavioral Ecology from Durham University, UK (2015)
• Master of Environmental Management (MEM) from Duke University (2011)
• B.S. in Zoology from Northern Michigan University (2009)

Dr. Bishop's research focuses on movement ecology of marine predators, contaminant flow through food webs, and climate change impacts on animal behavior. She employs animal biotelemetry (archival data loggers, acoustic tags), stable isotope analysis, and spatial modeling to study ecosystem connections critical for fisheries management and coastal community resilience. Her lab emphasizes partnerships with Indigenous communities, NGOs, and industry to promote diversity in STEM.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications (2018-2024) reveals consistent focus on marine mammal ecology, particularly Steller sea lions and grey seals. Key themes include mercury contamination dynamics, sex-specific foraging behaviors, physiological stress responses, and biotelemetry methodology development. Her work bridges fundamental behavioral ecology with applied conservation management across Alaska's changing marine environments.

Dr. Bishop mentors multiple Master's students and leads externally funded projects:

• BRAIDED Food Security (USDA-NIFA): Mercury monitoring in traditional foods with Aleut Community of St. Paul Island
• Pushing the Limit (NPRB): Diving constraints in Alaskan pinnipeds with Wildlife Technology Frontiers
• Stress Ecology (ConocoPhillips Endowment): Mercury impacts on Arctic wildlife with UAF and Durham University
• Sea Otter Tagging Effects (USGS collaboration): Health impacts of biologging devices
• Northern Sea Otters as Mercury Indicators: Ecosystem monitoring with Alaska SeaLife Center

The Bishop Lab at UAA operates as an interdisciplinary hub combining biotelemetry, contaminant analysis, and spatial ecology. It maintains active collaborations with the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, USGS, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and international institutions including Durham University and St. Andrews University. Current fieldwork spans Alaska's coastal ecosystems from Kachemak Bay to the Bering Sea, with emphasis on community-engaged research and training next-generation marine scientists.