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Professor Andy Danylchuk and master’s student Olivia Dinkelacker in the College of Natural Sciences Department of Environmental Conservation were awarded fellowships from American Fisheries Society (AFS) at its 154th Annual Meeting from Sept. 15-19 in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

Inducted as an AFS Fellow, Danylchuk was recognized for his outstanding contributions in the field of fish and fisheries science and conservation and “efforts in leadership, research, teaching and mentoring, resource management and/or conservation, and outreach/interaction with the public.” Danylchuk is also the 2017 recipient of the AFS Excellence in Public Outreach Award and the Award of Excellence in Fisheries Education in 2021.

“I’m honored and humbled to be recognized by AFS for my collective efforts focused on the conservation of fish,” Danylchuk said. “I’ve been a member of AFS since I was a graduate student and encourage anyone involved in fisheries to be a part of such an influential organization.”

Dinkelacker was awarded the Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship. Created in 2007 by the AFS, the fellowship honors the memory of Berkeley, a dedicated fisheries scientist with a passionate interest in integrating the fields of marine ecology, conservation biology and science to improve fisheries management.

Dinkelacker’s research in Danylchuk’s lab focuses on striped bass along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Her work is filling important knowledge gaps that will help inform policy, management, and grassroots conservation efforts for one of the Atlantic coast’s most popular fish species among recreational anglers.

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the AFS for my graduate research. The Steven Berkeley Marine Conservation Fellowship will greatly support my career goal of studying and protecting wild fish populations and the socio-ecological systems that rely on them.”