Lamprey Research

Here we are at week five already..... my how time flies...

I have learned alot about resaerch project development.  Project scope can be a tedious process that can lead to many directions and redirections. The key to successful project development is in organizational skills and in obtaining adequate background info to build upon.

I must also say that it is very important to have team members there to help distinguish and guide you in your thought processes, I have had regular meetings with my mentors and have come up with an acceptable and workable research project that can be accomplished within my short time frame for a summer internship. I have emailed potential inerview people, and have developed a "Work Outline" to help with my time mannagement and organization of information. I am honing skills, and calling shots under the watchful eye of my mentors and advisors. I am learning and developing leadership skills that I didnt know or think I was ready for at this time in my career development.

My project  addresses the importance of preservation of this species for cultural and scientific purposes. I will be concentrating on the Pacific Lamprey- macrpthalmia phase of the life cycle in hopes of adding yet another tiny piece of information to the mysterious unknown history of this species. I aim to raise awareness through presentation of my research material and by word of mouth to all people that are willing to listen. I also will be testing CMOP modelling capabilities to acurately predict habitat opportunity, and developing a history of macropthalmia within the estuary through personal contact with various agencies like Fish and Wildlife services of Washington and Oregon, and also Tribal Fisheries biologists of the Columbia Basin. I even hope to document personal acounts of macrpthalmia by tribal Elders or other members to establish record that this phase of the lamprey life cycle did and therfore still possibly does inhabit and utalize the CRE before fully entering a salt water environment.

I use to think that my place was in the field gathering proxy data, but this expierience has opened my mind to possibilities of project mannagement and development, as well as public and educational outreach in my career path.

--Patrick Feller