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Mike Colvin, PhD

Dr. Mike Colvin is a Research Ecologist at the Columbia Environmental Research Center

Dr. Mike Colvin received a Ph.D. from Iowa State University. He was a postdoctoral scholar at Oregon State University, where he trained in using structured decision-making and adaptive management of natural resources. As an assistant and associate professor at Mississippi State University, he taught courses in fisheries science, fisheries management, and natural resource decision-making. His research group applied decision-making approaches to conserving and managing aquatic resources. He joined the USGS in 2022 as a research ecologist. 

Mike’s research efforts integrate management actions, monitoring, and research with structured decision-making and adaptive management. Current research areas include

  • Supporting science components and decision analysis for endangered pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River,
  • Adaptive management program development for invasive carps,
  • Developing decision support tools for species status assessments of aquatic species in the southeast US, and
  • Applying structured decision-making and adaptive management to natural resource problems.

Professional Experience

  • 2022-present: Research Ecologist, USGS Columbia Environmental Research Center, Columbia, MO

  • 2020-2022: Associate Professor, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS

  • 2014-2020: Assistant Professor, Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS

  • 2012-2014: Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State University, Corvallis OR

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. in Fisheries Resources, Iowa State University, 2012

  • M.S. in Fisheries Biology, University of Idaho, 2005

  • B.S. Unity College, 2000

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Fisheries Society

Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government