Patrick Shirey

Dr. Patrick Shirey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology & Environmental Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh and Associate Director of the Pittsburgh Water Collaboratory. A Certified Ecologist (Ecological Society of America) and Certified Fisheries Professional (American Fisheries Society), he integrates ecology (Ph.D.) and law (J.D.) to address policy challenges in environmental management.

• Education: Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (University of Notre Dame), J.D. (Penn State's Dickinson School of Law), M.S. in Wildlife Science (New Mexico State University), B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Science (Penn State)
• International experience: University College Cork

Shirey's research focuses on pragmatic policy solutions for ecosystem restoration and endangered species conservation, combining ecological data with legal analysis. His transdisciplinary approach bridges science and policy inefficiencies, particularly in aquatic systems.

Recent publications examine urban stream restoration, Clean Water Act challenges, environmental DNA applications, and science communication. His work highlights tensions between ecological needs and drainage laws, while advocating for evidence-based policy reforms.

Scientific contributions include a 2015 AFS Policy Fellowship and peer-reviewed articles in journals like Conservation Letters, Ecology and Society, and Environmental DNA.