Fishing for New Ideas: The Basics of Using Environmental DNA to Monitor Fish from Water and Air Samples

By Dr. Elizabeth (Eily) Andruszkiewicz Allan & Dr. Aden Ip

We are excited to host a double feature night with both Dr. Allan and Dr. Ip presenting on their research in the same evening! Each will present for 30-minutes followed by a general Q&A. You can find more information about their research topics below.

Fishy Findings: The Basics of Using Environmental DNA to Detect Fish from Water Samples
 
Dr. Elizabeth (Eily) Andruszkiewicz Allan is the Chief Scientist of the eDNA Collaborative at the University of Washington in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs. Her research is focused on using environmental DNA (eDNA) to non-invasively detect and monitor species using traces of DNA shed from organisms. Eily earned a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University and a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.  
 
This talk will cover the basics of how we can collect water samples and analyze them to detect fish and other animals without seeing them at all. I will provide a broad overview of the history of environmental DNA (eDNA), key ecological applications for eDNA, and some of the basic workflows for how the science works.  
 
 
From Streams to Skies: Fishing for New Ideas to Monitor Salmon Stories through Environmental DNA 
 
Aden Ip is a Staff Scientist at the eDNA Collaborative, specializing in using environmental DNA (eDNA) to monitor wildlife and assess ecosystem health. His research focuses on how DNA fragments in the environment can track animal populations, determine their ages, and identify harmful pathogens. Aden is committed to developing effective and accessible eDNA methods for conservation, helping to protect biodiversity and promote healthier ecosystems. 
 
This talk will introduce exciting new ideas for monitoring salmon using cutting-edge DNA technology. Since these methods are still in the experimental stages, we will explore how they could help us track spawning salmon populations, estimate their ages, detect health issues, and even collect their DNA from the air! The goal is to envision a future where monitoring salmon is easier, requiring less logistical effort, and complementing conventional methods with a minimal environmental impact.