People

Dr. Kathleen G. O’Malley

Associate Professor, State Fisheries Geneticist

Dr. Kathleen O’Malley is a fisheries geneticist who uses both genetic and genomic approaches to address questions related to the ecological and population genetics of freshwater, anadromous, and marine fishes.  She has focused her efforts on and achieved success in utilizing advances from basic science to inform on the drivers that underlie both neutral and adaptive genetic diversity within and among populations.  The information generated has been used to help develop effective management and conservation strategies for freshwater and marine fish/fisheries and their environments.  Dr. O’Malley is originally from Valley Forge, Pennsylvania and earned a B.S. in biological science from Florida State University, a M.S. in Zoology from the University of Guelph, and a Ph.D. in Fisheries from Oregon State University.  She completed her postdoctoral research at NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, Washington.  In her spare time, she enjoys running, whitewater kayaking, snowboarding, backpacking, and bow hunting.

 

Cristín Fitzpatrick, M.S.

Senior Faculty Research Assistant

Cristín Fitzpatrick’s interest in conservation genetics first began in undergrad with her time spent at Duke University’s Marine Lab in North Carolina. There she became particularly interested in applications to marine and freshwater systems. Cristín went on to earn her B.S. in Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison, and her M.S. in Marine Biology at Nova Southeastern University in Florida studying population and evolutionary genetics of the angelshark (Squatina squatina). She is interested in the use of molecular and genetic approaches as tools for exploring population, conservation, and evolutionary level questions about species. In particular she is interested in studying adaptation and speciation through genomic and computational approaches. Cristín came to the State Fisheries Genomics Lab after a break from the conservation realm, working in biomedical research for Scripps Research Institute. Outside of the lab, she enjoys cooking, hiking, scuba diving, snowboarding, and soccer.

 

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Dr. Kevin Olsen

Research Associate

Dr. Kevin Olsen is a molecular ecologist interested in the interface between matings systems, conservation, and evolution. As a researcher in the State Fisheries Genomics Lab, Kevin uses molecular tools to better understand the connectivity and life-history variation of salmonids. He is passionate about advocating for management strategies that incorporate scientific research findings in real time.

Kevin is from Daytona Beach, Florida. He received B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of North Florida where he studied the effects of environmental stressors on coral larvae and recruitment. He earned a PhD in Biology from Florida State University where he evaluated the genetic consequences of demographic isolation and inbreeding in marine invertebrates. Prior to arriving at SFGL, he was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow with the National Science Foundation at the University of California San Diego. Outside of biology, a few of his favorite topics are surfing, dogs, and Batman.

 

Amy Pumputis

P.S.M. Student

Amy Pumputis found her passion for the marine environment at a young age. Growing up around Puget Sound in the Greater Seattle Area she was exposed to fishing, crabbing, tide-pooling, kayaking, boating, camping, hiking, and backpacking during the summers. Amy attended the University of Redlands, completing her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science in 2015.  Amy is working for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife conducting bull trout redd surveys and eDNA collection in the Clackamas River basin. She previously spent two years serving in Americorps and the Washington Conservation Corps working on a wide range of natural resource management projects. Amy’s specific interests lie within Dungeness crab (Cancer magister) and Salmonid research and management. In her free time, she enjoys rock climbing, backpacking, hiking, skiing, tennis, and soccer.

Kathryn Day

P.S.M. Student

Kathryn Day earned a Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Environmental Sciences, with a specialization in Fisheries, from Washington State University in 2023. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Fisheries Ecology, further advancing her academic training and deepening her commitment to the study of aquatic ecosystems and ichthyology.

Kathryn’s hands-on research and field experience include assisting with shark research in the Bahamas, volunteering with a tribal fisheries program focused on rainbow trout, and supporting a newly established public aquarium through the development of animal health protocols and the provision of daily husbandry care. She has also participated in shark tagging initiatives, contributing to ongoing research and conservation efforts.

In addition to her academic and research pursuits, Kathryn is employed as a Veterinary Technician, where she leads the exotics department and provides specialized care for non-traditional species. She is also an experienced aquarium hobbyist, with extensive hands-on experience maintaining both freshwater and marine systems, including the care of cephalopods. Her professional and personal interests center on fish health, aquatic husbandry, and invasive species management.
 

Isabel Shier

Laboratory Technician

Isabel Shier first discovered her passion for conservation genetics and molecular ecology during her time spent in Western Washington University's Marine Mammal Ecology Lab. There, she started out researching harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) foraging ecology, and soon developed an interest in genetics after working closely with graduate students in the lab. This led her to collaborate on a project utilizing mitochondrial DNA to investigate harbor seal population genetics in Washington. Isabel went on to earn her B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology. Before joining the SFGL, she worked as as seasonal field technician for the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission collecting environmental DNA water samples as part of a project assessing salmon habitat on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state. Outside the lab, she enjoying hiking, reading, cooking, and fiber arts.