Science Team

Jack Williams is TU’s Senior Scientist and oversees TU’s science programs. Jack has worked for the Endangered Species Program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, fisheries program manager for the BLM, science advisor to the director of BLM, and forest supervisor for the U.S. Forest Service.  He has a Ph.D. in fisheries science from Oregon State University and has been with TU since 2005.

Matt Barney is a programmer doing custom software development, database design, and server support for TU’s Science Team in Boise, Idaho. He also develops software solutions for TU’s Angler Science projects across the country. Matt holds a BS in computer science from the University of Idaho and has been with TU since 2008.

Sabrina Beus oversees the management of the Boise office, including budget and report tracking, document publishing and graphics. She also coordinates Trout in the Classroom for schools across southwestern Idaho. Sabrina has an associates degree in civil engineering technology from Idaho State University and has been with TU since 2008.

Dan Dauwalter is a fisheries scientist working on landscape- scale planning efforts and the design of restoration projects, particularly as they relate to climate change mitigation. Dan has a Ph.D. in fisheries science from Oklahoma State University and has been with TU since 2008.

Kurt Fesenmyer is a conservation planner and works on a variety of applications, particularly related to anadromous species and fine-scale assessments. Kurt has master’s degrees in forestry and environmental management from Duke University. He has been with TU since 2008.

Rene Henery is the California science director and also holds the position of assistant research professor at the University of Nevada-Reno. Rene works at applying cutting-edge science to the conservation of California’s aquatic systems and imperiled fishes. He has a Ph.D. from the University of California-Davis.

Matt Mayfield is a GIS analyst responsible for providing GIS support to many of TU’s conservation programs as well as development of customized web-mapping applications. He has a BS in geography from Appalachian State University and has been with TU since 2008.

Helen Neville is a geneticist and works on the development and application of genetics tools to the conservation of native trout. She has a Ph.D. in genetics from the University of Nevada-Reno and has been with TU since 2006.

Shawn Rummel is an ecologist working in conjunction with TU’s Eastern Abandoned Mine Program and the Science Team. His work focuses on eastern brook trout conservation issues and the restoration of coldwater systems from abandoned mine drainage. Shawn has a Ph.D. in ecology from the Pennsylvania State University.

Adjunct Team Members. The Science Team frequently supplements its expertise with TU staff from other program areas. Warren Colyer, Joe McGurrin and Cathy Purves are among the staff that regularly collaborate with the Science Team.