Maule, Alec G.
Section Leader, Ecology and
Environmental Physiology
Supervisory Research Physiologist
Email: amaule@usgs.gov
Ph: 509-538-2299 ext. 239; Fax: 509-538-2843
5501-A Cook-Underwood Road
Cook, WA 98605-9717
Education:
Ph.D. 1989. Fish Physiology. M.Sci. 1982 Fish Ecology
Oregon State University. B.Sci. 1979 Natural Resource Management
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. B.A. Psychology University of California, Riverside
Expertise/Specialty:
Environmental physiological (including development, behavior and health) of Pacific salmonids. Immune-endocrine interactions in fish.Maule has conducted research on Columbia River salmon since 1979. His work spans many levels of organization, from the cellular to the ecosystem. Current work focuses on the effects of poor water quality (e.g., gas supersaturation, chemical contaminants) on physiological functioning of fish. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Biology at Portland State University and of Fisheries at Oregon State University. Maule has been active in professional activities: Past President, Physiology Section American Fisheries Society; Chair, Organizing Committee, 1996 and 2008 International Congress on the Biology of Fishes; Past President, Oregon Chapter, American Fisheries Society.
Research Interests:
My current research focuses on the impacts of man's activities on the aquatic environment. Foremost among anthropogenic factors are chemical contaminants that have direct effects on fish (e.g., reduced survival and fitness), and global climate change that may alter water quantity, timing and temperature. The goal of current studies is to provide water managers with new tools with which to make water allocation decisions that will provide maximum benefits to man with minimal impacts on the aquatic flora and fauna.
Featured Studies:
- Chemical contamination of hatchery fish feed: Gene expression in Pacific salmon after release from National fish hatcheries. Funding agency: US Fish & Wildlife Service.
- Evaluating the sensitivity of Moapa dace in the Muddy River system (Nevada) to variable temperatures, flows, and habitat changes. Funded by US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Southwest Nevada Water Authority.
- Predicting effects of climate change on aquatic biota: developing a decision support system for the Yakima River Basin. Funded by USGS Global Change Program Office of Science Applications
Select Publications:
Maule, A.G., E. H. Jorgensen, M.M. Vijayan, and J.-E. A. Killie. 2005. Aroclor 1254 exposure reduces disease resistance and innate immune responses in fasted Arctic charr. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 24:117-124.
Vijayan, M.M., N. Aluru, A.G. Maule and E.H. Jørgensen. 2006. Fasting augments PCB impact on liver metabolism in anadromous Arctic charr. Toxicology Science. Toxicology Science 91:431-439.
Beeman, J.W. and A.G. Maule. 2006. Migration depths of juvenile Chinook salmon and steelhead relative to total dissolved gas supersaturation in a Columbia River reservoir. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135:584-594.
Maule, A.G., A.L. Gannam, and J.W. Davis. 2007. Chemical contaminants in fish feeds used in federal salmonid hatcheries in the USA. Chemosphere 67:1308-1315.
Personal Interests:
Maule enjoys managing the 30 acres of mixed-aged, mixed-species forest in which he lives. He also enjoys hiking, yoga and wine making.
