Ladd Macaulay Memorial Fellowship

Established in 2014 to honor Ladd Macaulay's long-standing support of graduate studies in fisheries. The fellowship is funded through an endowment with the University of Alaska Foundation to support graduate students pursuing advanced research in fisheries at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Award Details:

• Institution: University of Alaska Fairbanks College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences in Juneau (CFOS-Lena Point)
• Degree Level: Master of Science (MSc) in Fisheries
• Eligible Expenses: Tuition, research, stipend, insurance, supplies, and any other cost directly associated with the student's thesis
• Award Amount: Determined by fellowship endowment earnings (varies year to year)

Purpose and Goals:

• Support research for the enhancement and management of sustainable salmon fishing in Southeast Alaska
• Educate future fisheries professionals at CFOS-Lena Point
• Support graduate-level fisheries research addressing priority areas identified by DIPAC and the University

Research Focus Areas:

• Enhancement and management of sustainable salmon fishing
• Hatchery and wild salmon interaction
• Salmon predation and survival
• Hatchery management practices
• Salmon dispersal and straying behavior
• Salmon enhancement consequences and genetics

Selection Process:

• The Director of UAF CFOS Fisheries Division works with the DIPAC Scholarship Committee to identify productive research areas
• University issues a Request For Proposals (RFP) for graduate student projects
• A Review Board is established including representation from:
  • CFOS-Lena Point
  • DIPAC
  • Fisheries management sector (e.g., ADF&G, NMFS)
• Review Board reviews proposals and makes recommendations
• Director makes final fellowship award determination

Recent Fellowship Recipients:

• Casey McConnell (2014-2017): Thesis on straying, stress, and reproductive interactions between hatchery-produced and wild Chum Salmon in Southeast Alaska
• Douglas Duncan (2016-2019): Thesis on consumption of hatchery- and wild-born juvenile chum salmon by nearshore marine fishes
• Molly Payne (2019-2022): Thesis on predicting stream attractiveness to stray hatchery-origin chum salmon
• Mary Commins (2023-Present): Thesis on second-generation consequences of sockeye salmon enhancement in Auke Creek

Background: Ladd Macaulay maintained close relationships with the University of Alaska from DIPAC's inception. He included laboratory research space in the Macaulay Hatchery's initial design. From 1992-2007, twelve graduate students completed thesis research in this lab, with nine going on to public-agency careers in Alaska fisheries conservation and nine publishing results in peer-reviewed literature. DIPAC's in-kind contribution levered approximately $1 million in extramural research funding.

Contact Information:

• Email: lmmsc@dipac.net
• Douglas Island Pink and Chum, Inc.
• 2697 Channel Drive, Juneau, AK 99801
• Main Office: (907) 463-5114
• Administrative Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 7AM-4PM

Application Process

Process Overview:

• Applications are solicited through a Request For Proposals (RFP) issued by the University of Alaska Fairbanks
• Interested graduate students submit proposals addressing research areas identified by DIPAC and the University
• Proposals are reviewed by a Review Board with representation from CFOS-Lena Point, DIPAC, and fisheries management agencies
• Fellowship awards are determined by the UAF CFOS Director based on Review Board recommendations

Eligibility:

• Graduate students enrolled in or applying to MSc Fisheries programs at UAF CFOS-Lena Point

To Apply:

• Contact the Director of UAF CFOS Fisheries Division for information about current RFP opportunities and application procedures
• Submit research proposal addressing identified priority research areas

Contact for Application Information:

• Email: lmmsc@dipac.net
• DIPAC Scholarship Committee
• Douglas Island Pink and Chum, Inc.
• 2697 Channel Drive, Juneau, AK 99801
• Main Office: (907) 463-5114