I’m an M.S. student in the Quinn Lab at the School of Aquatic and Fisheries Sciences, where I’m studying the migration of coho salmon.  Most young coho salmon from Puget Sound migrate to offshore waters of the Pacific Ocean, however, some are thought to spend all of their marine lives within Puget Sound. I’m determining if and when these coho, known as residents, leave Puget Sound, and exploring whether factors such as hatchery rearing  make coho more likely to adopt a resident migration pattern. For more information, head over to my research page.

My true passion is science communication. Not only do I want to share my enthusiasm for scientific discovery, but I believe that  the future of science funding depends on good communication to non-scientists.  I have presented my research to a public audience at Town Hall Seattle (watch the video), have led a social media training workshop for scientists (see the slides) and taught a graduate level course on science communication during the 2012-2013 academic year. To learn more, take a look at my outreach page.

I plan on completing my M.S. in March 2013.  I will be seeking employment in the Seattle area, and hope to find a position where my skills in quantitative ecology and science communication will contribute to advancing sustainable use of natural resources. Contact me via email at jro@jessicarohde.com, or follow me on twitter @RockyRohde.