Iris Kemp

Iris has been slightly obsessed with marine science since childhood. She is currently finishing her MS in Aquatic & Fisheries Sciences at the University of Washington, Seattle. She wants to understand the causes of variable growth and survival of Puget Sound salmon. Existing information indicates that salmon survival is affected by habitat and feeding conditions in their juvenile life-stage. During this stage, salmon interact with other small pelagic species, which may affect their growth and survival.

To address the issues of salmon growth and survival in Puget Sound, Iris studies broad-scale habitat use by pelagic fish species and feeding habits of juvenile Pacific salmon and herring. More specifically, she uses mobile hydroacoustics to map pelagic fish biomass and generally characterize habitat use throughout Puget Sound. She also looks at a lot of fish guts to find out what juvenile salmon and herring are eating while they are in Puget Sound.

Additionally, Iris is a research assistant for Long Live the Kings. She works on the Salish Sea Marine Survival project, which aims to facilitate a trans-boundary (U.S./Canada) research effort to understand the causes of salmon and steelhead decline in Puget Sound and the Strait of Georgia.

When Iris is not working, she is a novice rock climber, tolerable clarinetist, and aspiring Crazy Cat Lady. She currently lives with one extremely fluffy and hyperactive kitty.

You can contact Iris via Twitter, LinkedIn, or email imkemp at uw dot edu.