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Christian E Zimmerman, Ph.D.

Actionable science to inform decision makers, managers, and the public

Professional Experience

  • 2017 - Present   Center Director, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska 

  • 2015 - 2017        Chief, Water and Interdisciplinary Studies Office, USGS, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, Alaska

  • 2002 - Present  Chair Scientific and Technical Committee, Arctic-Yukon-Kuskokwim Sustainable Salmon Initiative, Anchorage, Alaska

  • 2001-2015          Research Fish Biologist, Alaska Science Center, Anchorage, AK

  • 2000 - 2001       Scientist, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington

  • 1995 - 1997       Fishery Biologist, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, Oregon

  • 1993 - 1995       Graduate Research Assistant, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

  • 1992                    Fishery Biologist, Thomas R. Payne and Associates/Pacific Land and Water Resources Consultants, Arcata, California

  • 1991                     Teaching Assistant, Humboldt State University, Arcata, California

  • 1990 - 1991        Research Assistant, Institute of Limnology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

  • 1989 - 1990       Biological Technician, Redwood National Park, Arcata, California

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D.  2000      Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR    Fishery Science

  • M.S.    1996      Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR    Fishery Science

  • B.S.     1992      Humboldt State University, Arcata, CA    Fishery Biology

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 18
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 68
The Nome River with a grassy island
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River with a grassy island

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with a grassy island

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clouds
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River with clouds

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clouds

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
Juvenile salmon and a stickleback from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska
Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska
Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska
Juvenile salmon and a stickleback from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Results from a trawl run in Kuskokwim Bay.  Mostly juvenile chum salmon and one stickleback.

By
Alaska Science Center
Juvenile salmon and a stickleback from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Results from a trawl run in Kuskokwim Bay.  Mostly juvenile chum salmon and one stickleback.

By
Alaska Science Center
Biologist pulling a beach seine on a side channel of the Yukon River
Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta
Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta
Biologist pulling a beach seine on a side channel of the Yukon River

Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta

Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta

Jason Baker and Scott McLean pulling a beach seine in a side channel of the Yukon River

By
Alaska Science Center
Biologist pulling a beach seine on a side channel of the Yukon River

Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta

Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta

Jason Baker and Scott McLean pulling a beach seine in a side channel of the Yukon River

By
Alaska Science Center
Filter Total Items: 74

Transcriptomic response to elevated water temperatures in adult migrating Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Transcriptomic response to elevated water temperatures in adult migrating Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) declines are widespread and may be attributed, at least in part, to warming river temperatures. Water temperatures in the Yukon River and tributaries often exceed 18°C, a threshold commonly associated with heat stress and elevated mortality in Pacific salmon. Untangling the complex web of direct and indirect physiological effects of heat stress...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, Vanessa R. von Biela, Stephen D. McCormick, Amy M. Regish, Shannon C. Waters-Dynes, Blythe Durbin-Johnson, Monica Britton, Matt Settles, Daniel S. Donnelly, Sarah M. Laske, Michael P. Carey, Randy J Brown, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Alaska Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Evidence of prevalent heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon Evidence of prevalent heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon

Migrating adult Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) are sensitive to warm water (>18 °C), with a range of consequences from decreased spawning success to early mortality. We examined the proportion of Yukon River Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) exhibiting evidence of heat stress to assess the potential that high temperatures contribute to freshwater adult mortality in a northern Pacific...
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Lizabeth Bowen, Stephen D. McCormick, Michael P. Carey, Daniel S. Donnelly, Shannon C. Waters-Dynes, Amy M. Regish, Sarah M. Laske, Randy J Brown, Sean Larson, Stan Zuray, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Lake trout growth is sensitive to spring temperature in southwest Alaska lakes Lake trout growth is sensitive to spring temperature in southwest Alaska lakes

In high‐latitude lakes, air temperature is an important driver of ice cover thickness and duration, which in turn influence water temperature and primary production supporting lake consumers and predators. In lieu of multidecadal observational records necessary to assess the response of lakes to long‐term warming, we used otolith‐based growth records from a long‐lived resident lake fish...
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Bryan A. Black, Daniel B. Young, Peter van der Sleen, Krista K. Bartz, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Fish growth rates and lake sulphate explain variation in mercury levels in ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska Fish growth rates and lake sulphate explain variation in mercury levels in ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska

Mercury concentrations in freshwater food webs are governed by complex biogeochemical and ecological interactions that spatially vary and are often mediated by climate. The Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska (ACP) is a heterogeneous, lake-rich landscape where variability in mercury accumulation is poorly understood. Earlier research indicated that the level of catchment influence on lakes...
Authors
Samantha M. Burke, Christian E. Zimmerman, Sarah M. Laske, Joshua C. Koch, Allison M. Derry, Stephanie Guernon, Brian A. Branfireun, Heidi K. Swanson
By
Alaska Science Center

Surface water connectivity controls fish food web structure and complexity across local- and meta-food webs in Arctic Coastal Plain lakes Surface water connectivity controls fish food web structure and complexity across local- and meta-food webs in Arctic Coastal Plain lakes

The need for theories that address food web assembly and complexity over multiple spatial scales are critical to understanding their stability and persistence. In a meta-food web – an integrated network of local food webs – spatial heterogeneity in physical processes may have profound effects on food web function and energy flow. In the Arctic, surface water connectivity plays a vital...
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Mark S. Wipfli, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Permafrost hydrology drives the assimilation of old carbon by stream food webs in the Arctic Permafrost hydrology drives the assimilation of old carbon by stream food webs in the Arctic

Permafrost thaw in the Arctic is mobilizing old carbon (C) from soils to aquatic ecosystems and the atmosphere. Little is known, however, about the assimilation of old C by aquatic food webs in Arctic watersheds. Here, we used C isotopes (δ13C, Δ14C) to quantify C assimilation by biota across 12 streams in arctic Alaska. Streams spanned watersheds with varying permafrost hydrology, from...
Authors
Jonathon A O'Donnell, Michael P. Carey, Joshua C. Koch, Xiaomei Xu, Brett Poulin, Jennifer Walker, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 18
No Result Found
Filter Total Items: 68
The Nome River with a grassy island
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River with a grassy island

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with a grassy island

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clouds
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River, Alaska
The Nome River with clouds

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clouds

The Nome River, Alaska

The Nome River, Alaska

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies
The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

The Nome River with clear skies

Scenic view of the Nome River

By
Alaska Science Center
Juvenile salmon and a stickleback from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska
Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska
Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska
Juvenile salmon and a stickleback from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Results from a trawl run in Kuskokwim Bay.  Mostly juvenile chum salmon and one stickleback.

By
Alaska Science Center
Juvenile salmon and a stickleback from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Juvenile salmon from the Kuskokwim Bay, Alaska

Results from a trawl run in Kuskokwim Bay.  Mostly juvenile chum salmon and one stickleback.

By
Alaska Science Center
Biologist pulling a beach seine on a side channel of the Yukon River
Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta
Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta
Biologist pulling a beach seine on a side channel of the Yukon River

Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta

Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta

Jason Baker and Scott McLean pulling a beach seine in a side channel of the Yukon River

By
Alaska Science Center
Biologist pulling a beach seine on a side channel of the Yukon River

Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta

Beach seining on the Yukon River Delta

Jason Baker and Scott McLean pulling a beach seine in a side channel of the Yukon River

By
Alaska Science Center
Filter Total Items: 74

Transcriptomic response to elevated water temperatures in adult migrating Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) Transcriptomic response to elevated water temperatures in adult migrating Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) declines are widespread and may be attributed, at least in part, to warming river temperatures. Water temperatures in the Yukon River and tributaries often exceed 18°C, a threshold commonly associated with heat stress and elevated mortality in Pacific salmon. Untangling the complex web of direct and indirect physiological effects of heat stress...
Authors
Lizabeth Bowen, Vanessa R. von Biela, Stephen D. McCormick, Amy M. Regish, Shannon C. Waters-Dynes, Blythe Durbin-Johnson, Monica Britton, Matt Settles, Daniel S. Donnelly, Sarah M. Laske, Michael P. Carey, Randy J Brown, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Alaska Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC)

Evidence of prevalent heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon Evidence of prevalent heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon

Migrating adult Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) are sensitive to warm water (>18 °C), with a range of consequences from decreased spawning success to early mortality. We examined the proportion of Yukon River Chinook salmon (O. tshawytscha) exhibiting evidence of heat stress to assess the potential that high temperatures contribute to freshwater adult mortality in a northern Pacific...
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Lizabeth Bowen, Stephen D. McCormick, Michael P. Carey, Daniel S. Donnelly, Shannon C. Waters-Dynes, Amy M. Regish, Sarah M. Laske, Randy J Brown, Sean Larson, Stan Zuray, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Lake trout growth is sensitive to spring temperature in southwest Alaska lakes Lake trout growth is sensitive to spring temperature in southwest Alaska lakes

In high‐latitude lakes, air temperature is an important driver of ice cover thickness and duration, which in turn influence water temperature and primary production supporting lake consumers and predators. In lieu of multidecadal observational records necessary to assess the response of lakes to long‐term warming, we used otolith‐based growth records from a long‐lived resident lake fish...
Authors
Vanessa R. von Biela, Bryan A. Black, Daniel B. Young, Peter van der Sleen, Krista K. Bartz, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Fish growth rates and lake sulphate explain variation in mercury levels in ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska Fish growth rates and lake sulphate explain variation in mercury levels in ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska

Mercury concentrations in freshwater food webs are governed by complex biogeochemical and ecological interactions that spatially vary and are often mediated by climate. The Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska (ACP) is a heterogeneous, lake-rich landscape where variability in mercury accumulation is poorly understood. Earlier research indicated that the level of catchment influence on lakes...
Authors
Samantha M. Burke, Christian E. Zimmerman, Sarah M. Laske, Joshua C. Koch, Allison M. Derry, Stephanie Guernon, Brian A. Branfireun, Heidi K. Swanson
By
Alaska Science Center

Surface water connectivity controls fish food web structure and complexity across local- and meta-food webs in Arctic Coastal Plain lakes Surface water connectivity controls fish food web structure and complexity across local- and meta-food webs in Arctic Coastal Plain lakes

The need for theories that address food web assembly and complexity over multiple spatial scales are critical to understanding their stability and persistence. In a meta-food web – an integrated network of local food webs – spatial heterogeneity in physical processes may have profound effects on food web function and energy flow. In the Arctic, surface water connectivity plays a vital...
Authors
Sarah M. Laske, Amanda E. Rosenberger, Mark S. Wipfli, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center

Permafrost hydrology drives the assimilation of old carbon by stream food webs in the Arctic Permafrost hydrology drives the assimilation of old carbon by stream food webs in the Arctic

Permafrost thaw in the Arctic is mobilizing old carbon (C) from soils to aquatic ecosystems and the atmosphere. Little is known, however, about the assimilation of old C by aquatic food webs in Arctic watersheds. Here, we used C isotopes (δ13C, Δ14C) to quantify C assimilation by biota across 12 streams in arctic Alaska. Streams spanned watersheds with varying permafrost hydrology, from...
Authors
Jonathon A O'Donnell, Michael P. Carey, Joshua C. Koch, Xiaomei Xu, Brett Poulin, Jennifer Walker, Christian E. Zimmerman
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Alaska Science Center
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