Kathleen E. McGrath
Adjunct Assistant Professor

304 Illick Hall
SUNY-ESF
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210

Phone: (315) 470-4814
Fax: (315) 470-6934
Email: kmcgrath@esf.edu

Education

• B.S. University of Vermont (Zoology), 1983
• M.S. University of Vermont (Fisheries Biology), 1986
• Ph.D. University of Idaho (Fisheries Ecology), 2003

Research Interests

I am an aquatic ecologist focused on research that contributes to the conservation and management of aquatic organisms and their habitats.  Although I have primarily an applied perspective, interaction with natural systems and species requires a thorough understanding of their basic ecology. 

Currently my research interests are focused on stream ecosystems and declining species and communities:

1. ecology, management, and restoration of coldwater stream systems, including salmonids and other fauna
2. restoration of aquatic habitats
3. the hyporheic environment and its contribution to surface ecology
4. spatial aspects of stream ecology, including the distribution of organisms and habitats within the wetted channel as well as relationships between aquatic habitats and their watersheds

Prior Employment

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, Postdoctoral Researcher, Ecology Group. Topic: Hyporheic Characteristics of Chum Salmon Spawning Habitat. 2005-07

Wageningen University, the Netherlands, Aquatic Ecology Group, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Topic: Mechanisms Linking Habitat Complexity and Phenotypic Diversity in a Stream Invertebrate. 2003-04

Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, MO, Environmental Policy Analyst, liaison with federal & state agencies on water, endangered species, fisheries issues including impact assessment and implementation of Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, NEPA. 1990-96

Missouri Department of Conservation, Columbia, MO, Fisheries and Water Quality Research Biologist,  conducted water quality research including impacts of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) on macro-invertebrates and water quality, identification of chlordane sources in an urban watershed, effects of a large crude oil spill on aquatic resources. 1986-90

Publications

McGrath, K.E., E.T.H.M. Peeters, J.A. J. Beijer, and M. Scheffer. 2007. Intraspecific habitat-mediated niche restriction in a stream invertebrate. Hydrobiologia 581(1) 155-164

Geist, D.R, E.V. Arntzen, C.J. Murray, K.E. McGrath, Y. J. Bott, and T.P. Hanrahan 2007. Influence of river level on temperature and hydraulic gradients in chum and fall Chinook salmon spawning areas downstream of Bonneville Dam, Columbia River. North American Journal of Fisheries Management. (In press)
May, C.W., K. E. McGrath, D.R. Geist, E.V. Arntzen, M.C. Richmond, R. Prasad, M.S. Wigmosta, T. Abbe, C. Barton, C. Brummer, and T. Phelps. 2007. Grays River watershed and biological assessment: final report. Report No. DOE/BP-00000652-38. U.S. Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, OR.

McGrath, K.E., B.E. Rieman, and J. M. Scott. (in review). Size variation in age 0 westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi) across spatial scales and productivity gradients. North American Journal of Fisheries Management.

McGrath, K.E., E.M. Dawley, and D.R. Geist. 2006. Total dissolved gas effects on fishes of the lower Columbia River. PNNL-15525. Final report to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Portland, OR. Contract DE-AC-05-76RL01830. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.

Arntzen, E.V., T.P. Hanrahan, K.E. McGrath, C.J. Murray, Y.J. Chien, and S.L. Thorsten. 2006. Summary of temperature data collected to improve emergence timing estimates for chum and fall Chinook salmon in the lower Columbia River. Chapter 2 in Evaluation of salmon spawning below the four lowermost Columbia River dams – 2004-2005 Annual Report. D.R. Geist and A.J. Currie (Editors) Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, OR.

Arntzen, E.V., D.R. Geist, T.P. Hanrahan, K.E. McGrath, S.L. Thorsten. 2005. 
FY 1999-2004 Annual Progress Report: Summary of Temperature Data Collected to Improve Emergence Timing Estimates for Chum and Fall Chinook Salmon in the Lower Columbia River. Prepared for the Bonneville Power Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, under Contract 652-0016. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA.

McGrath, K.E., D.R. Geist, E.V. Arntzen. (in prep). Chum salmon spawning habitat characteristics and redd capacity in a tributary to the lower Columbia River, Washington.

McGrath, K.E., B.E. Rieman, and J.M. Scott (in prep). Habitat complexity – size variation relationships in age 0 westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi).

McGrath, K.E., B.E. Rieman, and J.M. Scott (in prep). Overwinter size-selective mortality and life history differences across a productivity gradient in age 0 westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi).
McGrath, K.E. 1995. Who’s protecting our water? Missouri Conservationist 56(5) 33-39.

McGrath, K.E. 1992. Eye-to-eye with a fish. Missouri Conservationist 53(6) 14-19.

McGrath, K.E. 1990. Outlawing the streambusters. Missouri Conservationist 51 (2)30.

Recent Presentations

McGrath, K.E., D.R. Geist, E.V. Arntzen. 2006. Role of hyporheic upwelling in chum salmon spawning habitat selection in the Grays River, Washington. Western Division American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Bozeman, MT.

McGrath, K.E., E.T.H.M. Peeters, M. Scheffer. 2005. Habitat-mediated cannibalism and niche restriction in the stream invertebrate Gammarus pulex. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Montreal, Canada.

McGrath, K.E., J.M. Scott, and B.E. Rieman. 2004. Habitat complexity - length variation relationships in westslope cutthroat trout. American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Madison, WI.

McGrath, K.E., J.M. Scott, and B.E. Rieman. 2004. Overwinter size-selective mortality and life history differences across a productivity gradient in westslope cutthroat trout. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting, Portland, OR.

McGrath, K.E., J.M. Scott, and B.E. Rieman. 2003. Size variation and fitness consequences in age 0 westslope cutthroat trout. Water Quality and Aquatic Ecology Seminar, Wageningen University, Wageningen, the Netherlands.

McGrath, K.E., J.M. Scott, and B.E. Rieman. 2002. Relationships between habitat complexity and length variation in age 0 westslope cutthroat trout. Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering Seminar, Washington State University, Richland, WA.

McGrath, K.E., J.M. Scott, and B.E. Rieman. 2002. Length variation in age 0 westslope cutthroat trout across spatial scales and growth potential gradients. Western Division American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Spokane, WA.

Awards & Honors

• Outstanding Performance Award, Environmental Technology Directorate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 2006
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 2005-07
• Postdoctoral Fellow, Wageningen Institute for Environment and Climate Research (WIMEK), Wageningen University, the Netherlands, 2003-04
• Sustainable Fisheries Foundation Scholarship, 2002
• Idaho Chapter American Fisheries Society Scholarship, 1999-2000
• Lee Wulff Memorial Scholarship, Trout Unlimited, 1999
• DeVlieg Wilderness Award, 1998
• Member, Xi Sigma Pi Natural Resources Honor Society, 1998-present
• Distinguished Service Award, Missouri Chapter, American Fisheries Society, 1996
• Letter of Recognition, Missouri Chapter, American Fisheries Society, 1996
• Significant Contribution Award, Fisheries Management Section, Missouri Department of Conservation, 1996
• First Place Award for a Magazine Fisheries Article, Association for Conservation Information, 1992

Certification and Training

• Certified Wetland Delineator
• Certified Pesticide Applicator, State of Missouri
• SCUBA certified

Professional Service

• President, MO Chapter, American Fisheries Society, 1995-96
• Environmental Concerns Committee Chair, MO Chapter, American Fisheries Society, 1988-90
• Resolutions Committee Chair, American Fisheries Society, 1988

Professional Associations

• American Fisheries Society
• Society for Conservation Biology
• Ecological Society of America