Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit
The Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (est. 1948) is a partnership among the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, University of Massachusetts, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute.
About Us
The Massachusetts Unit is currently comprised of a Unit Leader, Dr. Allison Roy, who specializes in fisheries and aquatic ecology, and two Assistant Unit Leaders, Dr. Graziella DiRenzo and Dr. Tammy Wilson, who are quantitative wildlife ecologists. The Unit’s Administrative Assistant is Ms. Deb Wright, who is a University employee; we are also assisted by several other administrative specialists in the Department of Environmental Conservation at UMass, administrative and supervisory staff at the CRU headquarters, and our cooperating agencies.
Research
We conduct research in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems on a variety of topics. Some quick facts about our research funding, collaborations, and productivity:
- Typical operating budget of \$1.5–2 million annually (approximately half is research grants) • Grant funding includes a variety of federal (e.g., USGS, USFWS, USDA, NSF, NPS), state (e.g., MassWildlife, MDMF), and nonprofit (e.g., TNC, Woods Hole Sea Grant) sources
- 44 scientific papers and reports published or listed as in review, in revision, or in press in 2024 and 2025
- 23 data releases and 13 software releases in the last 2 years
- 74 presentations at conferences and public meetings in the last 2 years
- Collaborators include scientists and managers from over 39 state, federal, and private conservation agencies, institutions, and groups
Mentorship and Graduate Education
In the last 2 years, we:
- Advised or co-advised 9 postdoctoral researchers, 7 PhD students, 11 MS students, and 4 BS Honors students, including students currently in the program and completed students
- Provided 2 working professionals with graduate school opportunities
- Provided field and laboratory research experiences to numerous undergraduate student technicians, independent study students, practicum students, and volunteers
- Mentored 9 students in the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars and Conservation Collaborative Programs
- Taught 8 graduate courses on topics related to research design, data analysis and modeling, data management, and aquatic ecology
- Served on 17 graduate student committees • Had 4 students in the USFWS Pathways Program
Read more in our Biennial Report 2024-2025
The Massachusetts Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit (est. 1948) is a partnership among the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, University of Massachusetts, the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Wildlife Management Institute.
About Us
The Massachusetts Unit is currently comprised of a Unit Leader, Dr. Allison Roy, who specializes in fisheries and aquatic ecology, and two Assistant Unit Leaders, Dr. Graziella DiRenzo and Dr. Tammy Wilson, who are quantitative wildlife ecologists. The Unit’s Administrative Assistant is Ms. Deb Wright, who is a University employee; we are also assisted by several other administrative specialists in the Department of Environmental Conservation at UMass, administrative and supervisory staff at the CRU headquarters, and our cooperating agencies.
Research
We conduct research in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems on a variety of topics. Some quick facts about our research funding, collaborations, and productivity:
- Typical operating budget of \$1.5–2 million annually (approximately half is research grants) • Grant funding includes a variety of federal (e.g., USGS, USFWS, USDA, NSF, NPS), state (e.g., MassWildlife, MDMF), and nonprofit (e.g., TNC, Woods Hole Sea Grant) sources
- 44 scientific papers and reports published or listed as in review, in revision, or in press in 2024 and 2025
- 23 data releases and 13 software releases in the last 2 years
- 74 presentations at conferences and public meetings in the last 2 years
- Collaborators include scientists and managers from over 39 state, federal, and private conservation agencies, institutions, and groups
Mentorship and Graduate Education
In the last 2 years, we:
- Advised or co-advised 9 postdoctoral researchers, 7 PhD students, 11 MS students, and 4 BS Honors students, including students currently in the program and completed students
- Provided 2 working professionals with graduate school opportunities
- Provided field and laboratory research experiences to numerous undergraduate student technicians, independent study students, practicum students, and volunteers
- Mentored 9 students in the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars and Conservation Collaborative Programs
- Taught 8 graduate courses on topics related to research design, data analysis and modeling, data management, and aquatic ecology
- Served on 17 graduate student committees • Had 4 students in the USFWS Pathways Program
Read more in our Biennial Report 2024-2025