Think Like the Scientist: Rebecca Flitcroft
Meet the Scientist  | About the Study

Rebecca Flitcroft, Biologist
USDA Forest Service acientist

I am currently conducting research on Coho salmon populations throughout their life cycle I try to understand what fish need, from the perspective of the fish.

Example of a simple research question I have tried to answer

How are Coho salmon distributed across the different seasonal habitats - for example, how do salmon populations differ from summer to winter?

Most Exciting Discovery

We often think about salmon habitats as a single spot in a river or watershed. I have discovered that salmon habitats are connected throughout an entire river, and salmon use them differently throughout their life cycle. The proximity of the habitats is as important if not more important than the condition of any single habitat with regard to the health of a salmon population.

When did you know you wanted to be a scientist?

As a child, I walked through streams and encountered the life within those stream. As I grew older, I continued to be curious about the fish that live in those stream and our relationship to those fish.

Dr. Becky Flitcroft, Ichthyologist

Click here to download the front of this card.

Click here to download the back of this card. Ph.D., Oregon State University USDA Forest Service Scientist An ichthyologist studies fishes.  The word ichthyologist comes from the Greek words "ikthus" which means fish and "logos" which means study.