A field biologist landed this large 7 kg (15 lb) lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) on the shore of Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park. The lake trout was collected as part of a study investigating the biomagnification of mercury through lake food webs.
Sarah Laske, Ph.D.
Research Interests: Landscape ecology, community ecology, aquatic food webs, and the influence of extreme climates and hydrology on fish ecology
My research focuses primarily on three areas of fisheries research: aquatic food webs, community ecology, and effects of landscape processes and scale in Arctic and subarctic species and ecosystems. The rapidly changing climate in northern ecosystems is shifting the thermal landscape where species live, eliciting a biological response to that change. I am interested in how those changes will influence aquatic systems, including their species composition or diversity, trophic structure, or function. Often, however, there is little to no baseline information available, and study must begin with questions regarding species presence or assemblage composition. By using a suite of modeling tools, I can integrate data from individual fish, communities, and the environment in order to answer questions that are relevant to fishery managers, the public, and other stakeholder groups, while also adding to ecological understanding of high latitude ecosystems and communities.
Professional Experience
2017 – Present Fish Biologist, USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage
2016 – 2017 Student trainee (Ecology), USGS Alaska Science Center, Anchorage
2011 – 2016 Graduate Research Assistant, Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of Alaska Fairbanks
2010 – 2011 Research Assistant, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie
2007 – 2010 Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Zoology and Physiology, University of Wyoming, Laramie
2005 – 2007 Fisheries Technician, Illinois Natural History Survey, Lake Michigan Biological Station, Zion, IL
2003 – 2004 Fisheries Technician, Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, IL
Education and Certifications
Ph.D. 2017 University of Alaska, Fairbanks Fisheries
M.S. 2010 University of Wyoming, Laramie Zoology
B.S. 2004 University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign Ecology, Ethology, and Evolution
Affiliations and Memberships*
American Fisheries Society
Society for Freshwater Science
Science and Products
Nearshore Fish Surveys in the Beaufort Sea
Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Does fish prey influence red-throated loon productivity?
Tracing Mercury Through Lake Food Webs
Arctic Lake Food Webs
Arctic Coastal Plain Studies
Water Temperature, Electrical Conductivity, and Salinity of Lagoons in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 2017-2019
Nearshore Fish Isotope Values, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 2017-2019
Insect Emergence from Arctic Coastal Plain Thaw Ponds, 2012-2013
Fish Species Composition and Diet Information in Lakes of the Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska, 2011-2013
A field biologist landed this large 7 kg (15 lb) lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) on the shore of Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park. The lake trout was collected as part of a study investigating the biomagnification of mercury through lake food webs.
Algae collected from rocks in the littoral zone of Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park. Algae samples are used to establish an energy baseline for the food web, as primary producers – organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis – algae provide food to the lake’s benthic macroinvertebrates.
Algae collected from rocks in the littoral zone of Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park. Algae samples are used to establish an energy baseline for the food web, as primary producers – organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis – algae provide food to the lake’s benthic macroinvertebrates.
The sampling team at Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park, walk along the shoreline to a new angling location. While treated to beautiful views, field biologists fished for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) as part of a study investigating the biomagnification of mercury through lake food webs.
The sampling team at Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park, walk along the shoreline to a new angling location. While treated to beautiful views, field biologists fished for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) as part of a study investigating the biomagnification of mercury through lake food webs.
Lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. This is part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. This is part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Burbot in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Burbot (Lota lota) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Burbot in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Burbot (Lota lota) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Fishing for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sam Graf (NPS – LACL) and Ashley Stanek (USGS – ASC) angle for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Fishing for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sam Graf (NPS – LACL) and Ashley Stanek (USGS – ASC) angle for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Round whitefish in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Round whitefish in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Longnose sucker in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Longnose suckers (Catostomus catostomus) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Longnose sucker in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Longnose suckers (Catostomus catostomus) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Fyke net in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sam Graf (NPS – LACL) adjusts a fyke net installed in a lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Fyke nets are used to non-lethally capture fish.
Fyke net in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sam Graf (NPS – LACL) adjusts a fyke net installed in a lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Fyke nets are used to non-lethally capture fish.
Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Arctic grayling were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Arctic grayling were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Lake trout with stomach contents in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Dorsal muscle collection and stomach content analysis are used to evaluate biomagnification of mercury in Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Stomach contents visible below the fish consist primarily of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus).
Lake trout with stomach contents in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Dorsal muscle collection and stomach content analysis are used to evaluate biomagnification of mercury in Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Stomach contents visible below the fish consist primarily of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus).
Collecting benthic macroinvertebrates in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sarah Laske (USGS – ASC) collects benthic macroinvertebrates using a kick net in a lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska, as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Collecting benthic macroinvertebrates in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sarah Laske (USGS – ASC) collects benthic macroinvertebrates using a kick net in a lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska, as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Sarah Laske (USGS - ASC) collects zooplankton from a lake using a plankton net in Wrangell St. Elias National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs. Sam Graf (NPS - LACL) angles.
Sarah Laske (USGS - ASC) collects zooplankton from a lake using a plankton net in Wrangell St. Elias National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs. Sam Graf (NPS - LACL) angles.
Cross section of a lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) otolith collected from a fish in Lake Clark National Park. Otoliths, also known as 'earstones' are hard, calcium carbonate structures located directly behind the brain of bony fishes.
Cross section of a lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) otolith collected from a fish in Lake Clark National Park. Otoliths, also known as 'earstones' are hard, calcium carbonate structures located directly behind the brain of bony fishes.
Phytoplankton is filtered from lake water for analysis of mercury content. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain.
Phytoplankton is filtered from lake water for analysis of mercury content. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain.
Biologist collects water from a lake in Lake Clark National Park. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain.
Biologist collects water from a lake in Lake Clark National Park. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain.
Juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) captured in Lake Clark National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) captured in Lake Clark National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Lake trout captured in Lake Clark National Park as part of a study to examine mercury biomagnification in lake food webs. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Lake trout captured in Lake Clark National Park as part of a study to examine mercury biomagnification in lake food webs. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain
Fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) captured near Kaktovik, Alaska
Fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) captured near Kaktovik, Alaska
Fourhorn sculpin on a measuring board captured near Kaktovik, Alaska.
Fourhorn sculpin on a measuring board captured near Kaktovik, Alaska.
Pink salmon captured near Kaktovik, Alaska
Pink salmon captured near Kaktovik, Alaska
Local environmental conditions structured discrete fish assemblages in Arctic lagoons
Rivers of Arctic North America
Borealization of nearshore fishes on an interior Arctic shelf over multiple decades
Investigating effects of climate-induced changes in water temperature and diet on mercury concentrations in an Arctic freshwater forage fish
Barrier islands influence the assimilation of terrestrial energy in nearshore fishes
Circumpolar patterns of Arctic freshwater fish biodiversity: A baseline for monitoring
Diversity of diatoms, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish varies in response to different environmental correlates in Arctic rivers across North America
Arctic insect emergence timing and composition differs across thaw ponds of varying morphology
A manipulative thermal challenge protocol for adult salmonids in remote field settings
Transcriptomic response to elevated water temperatures in adult migrating Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Evidence of prevalent heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon
Fish growth rates and lake sulphate explain variation in mercury levels in ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
Science and Products
Nearshore Fish Surveys in the Beaufort Sea
Fish and Aquatic Ecology
Does fish prey influence red-throated loon productivity?
Tracing Mercury Through Lake Food Webs
Arctic Lake Food Webs
Arctic Coastal Plain Studies
Water Temperature, Electrical Conductivity, and Salinity of Lagoons in the Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 2017-2019
Nearshore Fish Isotope Values, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, 2017-2019
Insect Emergence from Arctic Coastal Plain Thaw Ponds, 2012-2013
Fish Species Composition and Diet Information in Lakes of the Arctic Coastal Plain, Alaska, 2011-2013
A field biologist landed this large 7 kg (15 lb) lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) on the shore of Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park. The lake trout was collected as part of a study investigating the biomagnification of mercury through lake food webs.
A field biologist landed this large 7 kg (15 lb) lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) on the shore of Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park. The lake trout was collected as part of a study investigating the biomagnification of mercury through lake food webs.
Algae collected from rocks in the littoral zone of Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park. Algae samples are used to establish an energy baseline for the food web, as primary producers – organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis – algae provide food to the lake’s benthic macroinvertebrates.
Algae collected from rocks in the littoral zone of Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park. Algae samples are used to establish an energy baseline for the food web, as primary producers – organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis – algae provide food to the lake’s benthic macroinvertebrates.
The sampling team at Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park, walk along the shoreline to a new angling location. While treated to beautiful views, field biologists fished for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) as part of a study investigating the biomagnification of mercury through lake food webs.
The sampling team at Chandler Lake, Gates of the Arctic National Park, walk along the shoreline to a new angling location. While treated to beautiful views, field biologists fished for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) as part of a study investigating the biomagnification of mercury through lake food webs.
Lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. This is part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. This is part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Burbot in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Burbot (Lota lota) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Burbot in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Burbot (Lota lota) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Fishing for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sam Graf (NPS – LACL) and Ashley Stanek (USGS – ASC) angle for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Fishing for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sam Graf (NPS – LACL) and Ashley Stanek (USGS – ASC) angle for lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Round whitefish in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Round whitefish in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Round whitefish (Prosopium cylindraceum) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Longnose sucker in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Longnose suckers (Catostomus catostomus) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Longnose sucker in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Longnose suckers (Catostomus catostomus) were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Fyke net in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sam Graf (NPS – LACL) adjusts a fyke net installed in a lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Fyke nets are used to non-lethally capture fish.
Fyke net in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sam Graf (NPS – LACL) adjusts a fyke net installed in a lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Fyke nets are used to non-lethally capture fish.
Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Arctic grayling were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Arctic grayling (Thymallus arcticus) in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Arctic grayling were collected as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Lake trout with stomach contents in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Dorsal muscle collection and stomach content analysis are used to evaluate biomagnification of mercury in Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Stomach contents visible below the fish consist primarily of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus).
Lake trout with stomach contents in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Dorsal muscle collection and stomach content analysis are used to evaluate biomagnification of mercury in Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Stomach contents visible below the fish consist primarily of slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus).
Collecting benthic macroinvertebrates in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sarah Laske (USGS – ASC) collects benthic macroinvertebrates using a kick net in a lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska, as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Collecting benthic macroinvertebrates in Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Sarah Laske (USGS – ASC) collects benthic macroinvertebrates using a kick net in a lake in Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska, as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Sarah Laske (USGS - ASC) collects zooplankton from a lake using a plankton net in Wrangell St. Elias National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs. Sam Graf (NPS - LACL) angles.
Sarah Laske (USGS - ASC) collects zooplankton from a lake using a plankton net in Wrangell St. Elias National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs. Sam Graf (NPS - LACL) angles.
Cross section of a lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) otolith collected from a fish in Lake Clark National Park. Otoliths, also known as 'earstones' are hard, calcium carbonate structures located directly behind the brain of bony fishes.
Cross section of a lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) otolith collected from a fish in Lake Clark National Park. Otoliths, also known as 'earstones' are hard, calcium carbonate structures located directly behind the brain of bony fishes.
Phytoplankton is filtered from lake water for analysis of mercury content. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain.
Phytoplankton is filtered from lake water for analysis of mercury content. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain.
Biologist collects water from a lake in Lake Clark National Park. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain.
Biologist collects water from a lake in Lake Clark National Park. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain.
Juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) captured in Lake Clark National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) captured in Lake Clark National Park as part of a study examining mercury in lake food webs.
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Lake trout captured in Lake Clark National Park as part of a study to examine mercury biomagnification in lake food webs. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain
Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush). Lake trout captured in Lake Clark National Park as part of a study to examine mercury biomagnification in lake food webs. Photo courtesy of U.S. National Park Service, Public Domain
Fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) captured near Kaktovik, Alaska
Fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) captured near Kaktovik, Alaska
Fourhorn sculpin on a measuring board captured near Kaktovik, Alaska.
Fourhorn sculpin on a measuring board captured near Kaktovik, Alaska.
Pink salmon captured near Kaktovik, Alaska
Pink salmon captured near Kaktovik, Alaska
Local environmental conditions structured discrete fish assemblages in Arctic lagoons
Rivers of Arctic North America
Borealization of nearshore fishes on an interior Arctic shelf over multiple decades
Investigating effects of climate-induced changes in water temperature and diet on mercury concentrations in an Arctic freshwater forage fish
Barrier islands influence the assimilation of terrestrial energy in nearshore fishes
Circumpolar patterns of Arctic freshwater fish biodiversity: A baseline for monitoring
Diversity of diatoms, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fish varies in response to different environmental correlates in Arctic rivers across North America
Arctic insect emergence timing and composition differs across thaw ponds of varying morphology
A manipulative thermal challenge protocol for adult salmonids in remote field settings
Transcriptomic response to elevated water temperatures in adult migrating Yukon River Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Evidence of prevalent heat stress in Yukon River Chinook salmon
Fish growth rates and lake sulphate explain variation in mercury levels in ninespine stickleback (Pungitius pungitius) on the Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government