Brian D Healy, PhD
Dr. Brian Healy is a supervisory research fish biologist at the US Geological Survey – Southwest Biological Science Center, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center.
Dr. Healy’s primary research interests include ecology, conservation, and management of river and stream fishes, and specifically, studying fish population responses to changes in stream flow, disturbances, and management actions. His research is in support of decision-making in the context of water management that affects fish populations in the Colorado River, California Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Delta, as well as others.
Professional Experience
2024 - present: Supervisory Research Fish Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Southwest Biological Science Center
2022 - 2023: Research Biologist, Post-doctoral scholar, U.S. Geological Survey, Eastern Ecological Science Center
2009 - 2022: Fisheries Biologist/program manager, Native Fish Ecology and Conservation Program, Grand Canyon National Park
2018 - 2022: Graduate Research Assistant/Colorado River Doctoral Scholar, Watershed Sciences, Utah State University
2003 - 2009: Fisheries Biologist, White River National Forest
2000 - 2003: Fisheries Biologist, Chippewa National Forest
1999 - 2000: Graduate Research Assistant, Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, Texas A&M University
Education and Certifications
PhD, 2022, Utah State University, Ecology
M.S. 2002, Texas A&M University, Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences
B.S. 1998, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Biology
Science and Products
Rainbow Trout in the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Multicriteria decision analysis scores for rapid delta smelt decision analysis Multicriteria decision analysis scores for rapid delta smelt decision analysis
Brown trout movement data in Glen and Grand Canyons, Arizona, USA Brown trout movement data in Glen and Grand Canyons, Arizona, USA
Life and death in a dynamic environment: Invasive trout, floods, and intraspecific drivers of translocated populations Life and death in a dynamic environment: Invasive trout, floods, and intraspecific drivers of translocated populations
Rapid structured decision making for Hypomesus transpacificus (delta smelt) summer–fall freshwater outflow management Rapid structured decision making for Hypomesus transpacificus (delta smelt) summer–fall freshwater outflow management
Mixed natal origins present management challenges for a non-native fish established throughout a modified river network Mixed natal origins present management challenges for a non-native fish established throughout a modified river network
Population growth of threatened Gulf Sturgeon may be limited by the frequency of adult episodic mortality events Population growth of threatened Gulf Sturgeon may be limited by the frequency of adult episodic mortality events
The value of information is context dependent: A demonstration of decision tools to address multispecies river temperature management under uncertainty The value of information is context dependent: A demonstration of decision tools to address multispecies river temperature management under uncertainty
Translocation in a fragmented river provides demographic benefits for imperiled fishes Translocation in a fragmented river provides demographic benefits for imperiled fishes
Quantifying the contributions of tributaries to large-river fish populations through mark-recapture modeling Quantifying the contributions of tributaries to large-river fish populations through mark-recapture modeling
Symposia summaries 2023 Symposia summaries 2023
Migration timing and tributary use of spawning flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) Migration timing and tributary use of spawning flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis)
Diverse portfolios: Investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the Anthropocene Diverse portfolios: Investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the Anthropocene
Impeding access to tributary spawning habitat and releasing experimental fall-timed floods increases brown trout immigration into a dam's tailwater Impeding access to tributary spawning habitat and releasing experimental fall-timed floods increases brown trout immigration into a dam's tailwater
Exploring metapopulation-scale suppression alternatives for a global invader in a river network experiencing climate change Exploring metapopulation-scale suppression alternatives for a global invader in a river network experiencing climate change
Life and death in a dynamic environment: Invasive trout, floods, and intraspecific drivers of translocated populations Life and death in a dynamic environment: Invasive trout, floods, and intraspecific drivers of translocated populations
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
Science and Products
Rainbow Trout in the Colorado River, Grand Canyon
Multicriteria decision analysis scores for rapid delta smelt decision analysis Multicriteria decision analysis scores for rapid delta smelt decision analysis
Brown trout movement data in Glen and Grand Canyons, Arizona, USA Brown trout movement data in Glen and Grand Canyons, Arizona, USA
Life and death in a dynamic environment: Invasive trout, floods, and intraspecific drivers of translocated populations Life and death in a dynamic environment: Invasive trout, floods, and intraspecific drivers of translocated populations
Rapid structured decision making for Hypomesus transpacificus (delta smelt) summer–fall freshwater outflow management Rapid structured decision making for Hypomesus transpacificus (delta smelt) summer–fall freshwater outflow management
Mixed natal origins present management challenges for a non-native fish established throughout a modified river network Mixed natal origins present management challenges for a non-native fish established throughout a modified river network
Population growth of threatened Gulf Sturgeon may be limited by the frequency of adult episodic mortality events Population growth of threatened Gulf Sturgeon may be limited by the frequency of adult episodic mortality events
The value of information is context dependent: A demonstration of decision tools to address multispecies river temperature management under uncertainty The value of information is context dependent: A demonstration of decision tools to address multispecies river temperature management under uncertainty
Translocation in a fragmented river provides demographic benefits for imperiled fishes Translocation in a fragmented river provides demographic benefits for imperiled fishes
Quantifying the contributions of tributaries to large-river fish populations through mark-recapture modeling Quantifying the contributions of tributaries to large-river fish populations through mark-recapture modeling
Symposia summaries 2023 Symposia summaries 2023
Migration timing and tributary use of spawning flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) Migration timing and tributary use of spawning flannelmouth sucker (Catostomus latipinnis)
Diverse portfolios: Investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the Anthropocene Diverse portfolios: Investing in tributaries for restoration of large river fishes in the Anthropocene
Impeding access to tributary spawning habitat and releasing experimental fall-timed floods increases brown trout immigration into a dam's tailwater Impeding access to tributary spawning habitat and releasing experimental fall-timed floods increases brown trout immigration into a dam's tailwater
Exploring metapopulation-scale suppression alternatives for a global invader in a river network experiencing climate change Exploring metapopulation-scale suppression alternatives for a global invader in a river network experiencing climate change
Life and death in a dynamic environment: Invasive trout, floods, and intraspecific drivers of translocated populations Life and death in a dynamic environment: Invasive trout, floods, and intraspecific drivers of translocated populations
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.