Scott VanderKooi
Scott VanderKooi is a Supervisory Ecologist with over 30 years of experience as a scientist and science manager working on the rivers of the western U.S. Much of his work has emphasized applied science and adaptive management in support of natural resource management.
He began his career as a fish biologist conducting research on salmonids, catostomids and cyprinids in the northwest U.S. throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Areas of research included stress physiology, disease, migratory behavior, predation, and early life-history studies. Scott shifted to managing science programs in the mid-2000s initially in the Klamath River basin, and then in the Colorado River basin first as Chief of the USGS Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center and next as the Director of the Southwest Biological Science Center. Scott is currently the Director of the Washington Water Science Center.
Professional Experience
2023-Present, Center Director, USGS Washington Water Science Center
2021-2023, Center Director, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center
2015-2021, Chief, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
2011-2015, Biology Program Manager/Deputy Chief, USGS Southwest Biological Science Center's Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
Education and Certifications
M.S., Fishery Science, Oregon State University, 1999
B.S., Marine Biology, Oregon State University, 1991