Samuel Shephard

Dr. Samuel Shephard is an Associate Professor of Biology and Director of the Agriculture and Catholic Environmental Stewardship (ACES) Minor at Ave Maria University. With a PhD in Fisheries Ecology and Management from Mississippi State University, his career spans 20+ years of research in sustainable social-ecological systems, emphasizing environmental stewardship. His work bridges fisheries science with Catholic ethical frameworks, advocating for embedded environmental engagement through projects like the ACES program and stewardship initiatives in Guyana, South America. He has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications, focusing on data-limited fisheries assessments, local ecological knowledge integration, and aquaculture impacts. Dr. Shephard also chairs international fisheries working groups (e.g., ICES WGEF) and serves on editorial boards for Fisheries and Journal of Fish Biology. His upcoming book Person, Place, and Catholic Environmental Stewardship (2025) collaborates with theologians to articulate Catholic perspectives on environmental care. He actively communicates through media interviews, podcasts, and courses like ‘Stewarding the Environment’ on Ave Maria’s Pursuit of Wisdom platform.

Education:

• B.Sc., Environmental Science, University of Westminster
• M.Sc., Fisheries Management, Development and Conservation, University College Cork
• Ph.D., Fisheries Ecology and Management, Mississippi State University

Research Focus: Dr. Shephard’s work centers on: sustainable fisheries, data-limited stock assessments, ecosystem impacts of aquaculture, and integrating faith-based stewardship principles. He emphasizes ‘Recovery of Experience’—sensory engagement with nature as foundational to ecological care. Recent projects include collaborations in South America’s artisanal fisheries and studies on sea lice impacts on wild salmon populations.

Grants & Collaborations: Key contributions include the EU-funded SWM Programme and LiceTrack projects. He chairs international fisheries working groups and advises UN FAO initiatives. His funded research often involves interdisciplinary teams addressing global sustainability challenges.

Labs/Teams: Oversees Ave Maria’s St. Isidore Farm, blending academic study with hands-on sustainable agriculture practices. Directs the ACES minor program, combining theology, business, and science for holistic stewardship education.