W.F. Thompson
ANNUAL AWARD
The W. F. Thompson Best Student Paper Award is given by the AIFRB annually to recognize excellence in research as well as to encourage student professionalism in fisheries and aquatic sciences and publication of research results. All scientists are eligible as long as the senior author conducted the research while a student of fish or some aspect of aquatic science and conservation. The award includes a check for up to $1,000.00
CHAIR
MEMBERS
Dr. Robert S. Hayward, Univ. MO-Columbia, School of Natural Resources
Dr. Anne B. Hollowed, Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries
Dr. Frank M. Panek, USGS Leetown Science Center- NFHRL
Dr. John B. Pearce, Buzzards Bay Marine Laboratory
Qualifications
- The research must have been conducted while the nominee was a student at an institution of higher learning in the western hemisphere.
- Papers that are considered for the award must be concerned with freshwater or marine biological resource problems. They will be judged on the basis of originality, development and organization, and relevance to current problems.
- The results of the research must have been published in a recognized scientific journal, or as all or part of a book, within three (3) years of termination of student status. (If a paper does not meet this requirement, due to a technically uncontrollable reason, such as military service, etc., it may still be considered.)
- Authors may nominate their own papers.
- Multiple authorship is permissible, provided a student is the senior author.
- A résumé, including details of the student author’s employment history in fisheries or fisheries-related science and his status as a student, must accompany the nomination.
- The submissions are handled by a committee, consisting of a Chairperson, an AIFRB member or fellow appointed by the President of the AIFRB, and several members, also AIFRB members or fellows, selected by the Chairperson. The papers are judged by scientists, not necessarily AIFRB members or fellows, who are selected by the Committee on the basis of competence in the subjects of the submitted papers.
- The award will consist of a congratulatory letter from the president of the AIFRB and a monetary award. A faculty advisor co-author in an award-winning paper will receive a congratulatory letter from the president of the AIFRB, but no money.
- If the winning paper is based upon research carried out independently by two or more student co-authors, each will receive a congratulatory letter, and the monetary award will be divided equally among them.
- In most cases the award will be given once each year, but if none of the papers nominated for the award is judged to be outstanding the Committee is not obliged to select a winner of the award for that year.
- Persons who have won the award are eligible to receive it a second time, provided the two awards are based on two distinctly different pieces of research conducted in support of two different degrees.
- If two or more papers based on the same thesis or dissertation are submitted, they will be judged separately.
Criteria for Evaluating Papers
Contribution to fisheries science–50%
Does the paper address an important issue? Are results likely to change how people think about an issue? Will results influence management of a fisheries resource? Does the paper identify an emerging issue? Does the paper have applicability to future work?
Originality–25%
The student developed a new or novel approach. (25%) The student used a conventional approach, but interjected some original thinking. (15%) The student used conventional approach, with no novel additions. (5%)
Presentation – 25%
Clarity – is the paper easily read and readily understood? Is the problem well developed? Are the methodologies and analyses sound? Does the discussion provide a good synthesis of new findings with current knowledge?
Comments (optional)
These will not be incorporated into the scoring, but they may be helpful.
Nominations
NOMINATIONS OF PAPERS PUBLISHED IN 2010 DUE DECEMBER 31, 2011.
Each nomination must be accompanied by a copy of the paper (unless it is easily available on the internet) and a résumé.
Submit nominations to:
William Bayliff
8604 La Jolla Shores Drive
La Jolla, California, 92037-1508, USA
Or send emails to wbayliff@iattc.org
Recent Winners
2007
Mary Hunsicker
Mary E. Hunsicker, a recent graduate of Stony Brook University, has won the W.F. Thompson Award for the best student paper published in 2006. Her paper, co-authored with Dr. Timothy E. Essington, is entitled Size structured patterns of piscivory of the longfin inshore squid (Loligo pealeii) in the mid-Atlantic continental shelf ecosystem. It was published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Volume 63, Number 4, pages 754-765. One of the reviewers of her paper wrote, “The paper represents one of the best examples of how to study the diet of an exploited marine species, and it revealed a significant new and complex facet of coastal marine ecosystems—the changing trophic position of squid as a function of ontogeny, and prey availability. This work will eventually have a great influence on our ability to understand and model such ecosystems. It also addressed the emerging issue of size-structured trophic interactions, and thus represents a more fundamental contribution to ecology.”
A total of 11 papers were submitted for consideration for this award, and 26 scientists reviewed one or more these. Most of the papers were reviewed by three to five people. All of the submissions were high-quality papers published in prestigious journals, and most of them were praised by the reviewers.
Mary Hunsicker received her B.S. degree in Biology at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1997 and her M.S. degree in Marine and Environmental Sciences at Stony Brook University in 2004. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Washington, where her major professor is Dr. Timothy E. Essington. In addition to the paper that won the award, Mary and Dr. Essington have written a complementary paper that will be published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences in late 2008. This paper further explores the predatory role of the longfin inshore squid using a bioenergetics approach. Mary has also co-authored a paper in Ecology, Volume 89, Number 3, and has several others in various stages of preparation. She recently received a North Pacific Research Board Graduate Student Research Award to continue her squid research in the eastern Bering Sea. Her interests include hiking, camping, running, and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
2006
Edwin J Niklitshek
Dr. Edwin J. Niklitschek, a recent graduate of the University of Maryland and currently an associate researcher at the Universidad Austral de Chile, has won the W.F. Thompson Award for the best student paper published in 2005. His paper, co-authored with Dr. David H. Secor of the University of Maryland, is entitled Modeling Spatial and Temporal Variation of Suitable Nursery Habitats for Atlantic Sturgeon in the Chesapeake Bay. It was published in Estuarine, Coastal, and Shelf Science, Volume 64, Number 1. One of the reviewers wrote, “This paper contains some innovative and elegant methodologies aimed at understanding and predicting some possible consequences of environmental change—and for better defining essential fish habitat for Atlantic sturgeon. The authors draw on data from extensive laboratory experiments, field data, juvenile Atlantic sturgeon distribution in the Chesapeake Bay, and water quality data from the Chesapeake Bay Program to calculate total suitable habitat, in terms of potential production rates, during different months of the year for 1993-2002. … These kinds of studies and approaches are very important in helping to identify special refuge areas for restoration of certain species.
A total of 11 papers were submitted for consideration for this award, and 34 scientists reviewed one or more these. Most of the papers were reviewed by three to five people. All of the submissions were high-quality papers published in prestigious journals, and most of them were praised by the reviewers.
Past Winners
2007
Hunsicker, Mary E., and Timothy E. Essington. 2006. Size structured patterns of piscovory of the longfin inshore squid (Loligo pealeii) in the mid-Atlantic continental shelf ecosystem. Canad. Jour. Fish. Aquatic Sci., 63 (4): 754-765. M.S., Stony Brook University Committee Chairperson: William H. Bayliff
2006
NIKLITSCHEK, EDWIN J. and David H. Secor. 2005. Modeling spatial and temporal variation of suitable nursery habitats for Atlantic sturgeon in the Chesapeake Bay. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 64 (1): 135-148. Ph.D., University of Maryland Committee Chairperson: William H. Bayliff
2005
KRAUS, RICHARD T., and David H. Secor. 2004. Dynamics of white perch Morone americana population contingents in the Patuxent River estuary, Maryland, USA. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 279: 247-259 Ph.D., University of Maryland Committee Chairperson: William H. Bayliff
2004
RABORN, SCOTT W., Leandro E. Miranda, and M. Todd Driscoll. 2003. Modeling predation as a source of mortality for piscivorous fishes in a southeastern U.S. reservoir. Amer. Fish. Soc., Trans., 132 (3): 560-575. Ph.D., Mississippi State University Committee Chairperson: William H. Bayliff
2003
McBRIDE, RICHARD, Michael P. Fahay, and Kenneth W. Able. 2002. Larval and settlement periods of the northern searobin (Prionotus carolinus) and the striped searobin (P. evolans). U.S. Nat. Mar. Fish. Serv., Fish. Bull., 100 (1): 63-73. Ph.D., Rutgers University Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
2002
SOH, SUNG KWON, Donald R. Gunderson, and Daniel H. Ito. 2001. The potential role of marine reserves in the management of shortraker rockfish (Sebastes borealis) and rougheye rockfish (S. aleutianus) in the Gulf of Alaska. U.S. Nat. Mar. Fish. Serv., Fish. Bull., 99 (1): 168- 179. Ph.D., University of Washington Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
2000
TERWILLIGER, MARK A., and Thomas A. Munroe. 1999. Age, growth, longevity, and mortality of blackcheek tonguefish, Symphurus plagiusa (Cynoglossidae: Pleronectiformes) in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. U.S. Nat. Mar. Fish. Serv., Fish. Bull., 97 (2): 340-361. M.A., College of William and Mary Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1999
HENDRY, ANDREW P., Jay E. Hensleigh, and Reg. R. Reisenbichler. 1998. Incubation temperature, developmental biology, and the divergence of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) within Lake Washington. Canad. Jour. Fish. Aquatic Sci., 55 (6): 1387-1394. M.S., University of Washington Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1998
HARE, JONATHAN. 1997. Size, growth, development, and survival of the planktonic larvae of Pomatomus saltatrix. Ecology, 78 (8): 2414-2431. Ph.D., State University of New York Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1997
NEWMAN, STEPHEN J., David McB. Williams, and Garry R. Russ. 1996. Variability in the population structure of Lutjanus adetii (Castelnau, 1873) and L. quinquelineatus (Bloch, 1790) among reefs in the central Great Barrier Reef, Australia. U.S. Nat. Mar. Fish. Serv., Fish. Bull., 94 (2): 313-329. Ph.D., James Cook University Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1995
FLEMING. IAN A., and Mart T. Gross. 1994. Breeding competition in a Pacific salmon (coho; Oncorhynchus kisutch): measures of natural and sexual selection. Evolution, 48 (3): 637-657. Ph.D., University of Toronto Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1994
ROELL, MICHAEL J., and Donald J. Orth. 1993. Trophic basis of production of stream-dwelling smallmouth bass, rock bass, and flathead catfish in relation to invertebrate bait harvest. Amer. Fish. Soc., Trans., 122 (1): 46-62. Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1993
McALLISTER, MURDOCH K., and Randall M. Peterman. 1992. Decision analysis of a large- scale fishing experiment designed to test for a genetic effect of size-selective fishing on British Columbia pink salmon (Onchorhynchus gorbuscha). Canad. Jour. Fish. Aquatic Sci, 49 (7): 1305- 1314. M.S., Simon Fraser University Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1992
KRAMER, SHARON HENDRIX. 1991. Growth, mortality, and movements of juvenile California halibut Paralichthys californicus in shallow coastal and bay habitats of San Diego County, California. U.S. Nat. Mar. Fish. Serv., Fish. Bull., 89 (2): 195-207. Ph.D., University of California at San Diego Committee Chairperson: William H. Bayliff
1991
BALDWIN, CAROLE C. 1990. Morphology of the larvae of American Anthiinae (Teleostei: Serranidae) with comments on the relationships within the subfamily. Copeia, 1990 (4): 913-955. M.S., College of Charleston Committee Chairperson: William H. Bayliff
1990
MESA, MATHEW G., and Carl B. Schreck. 1989. Electrofishing mark-recapture and depletion methodologies evoke behavioral and physiological changes in cutthroat trout. Amer. Fish. Soc., Trans., 118 (6): 644-658. M.S., Oregon State University Committee Chairperson: William H. Bayliff
1987
OLSON, ROBERT. J., and CHRISTOPHER H. BOGGS. 1986. Apex predation by yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares): independent estimates from gastric evacuation and stomach contents, bioenergetics, and cesium concentration. Canad. Jour. Fish. Aquat. Sci., 43 (9): 1760-1775. M.S., San Diego State University (RJO); Ph.D., University of Wisconsin (CHB) Committee Chairperson: David A. Farris
1986
MAYER, KATHLEEN S., Foster L. Mayer, and Arthur Witt, Jr. 1985. Waste transformer oil and PCB toxicity to rainbow trout. Amer. Fish. Soc., Trans., 114 (6): 869-886. M.S., University of Missouri-Columbia Committee Chairperson: Elizabeth F. Edwards
1986
SOWDEN, TERRY K., and G. Power. 1985. Prediction of rainbow trout embryo survival in relation to groundwater seepage and particle size of spawning substrates. Amer. Fish. Soc., Trans., 114 (6): 804-812. M.S., University of Waterloo Committee Chairperson: Wen-hwa Kwain
1983
MYERS, KATHERINE W. 1982. Temporal use of an Oregon estuary by hatchery and wild juvenile salmon. In Kennedy, V.S. (editor), Estuarine Comparisons, Academic Press, New York: 377-392. M.S., Oregon State University Committee Chairperson: Wen-hwa Kwain
1981
INCZE, L.S., R. A. Lutz, and L. Watling. 1980. Relationships between effects of environmental temperature and seston on growth and mortality of Mytilus edulis in a temperate northern estuary. Mar. Biol., 57 (3): 147-156. M.S., University of Maine Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1981
DERISO, R. B. 1980. Harvesting strategies and parameter estimation for an age-structured model. Canad. Jour. Fish. Aquat. Sci., 37 (2): 268-282. Ph.D., University of Washington Committee Chairperson: John B. Pearce
1980
REDDING, J. M., and C. B. Schreck. 1979. Possible adaptive significance of certain enzyme polymorphisms in steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri). Fish. Res. Bd. Canada, Jour., 36 (5): 544- 551. M.S., Oregon State University Committee Chairperson: Norman G. Benson
1972
ARNOLD, DEAN E. 1971. Ingestion, assimilation, survival, and reproduction by Daphnia pulex fed seven species of blue-green algae. Limnol. Ocean., 16 (6): 906-920. Ph.D., Cornell University Committee Chairperson: William J. Richards
1971
FOX, WILLIAM W., JR. 1970. An exponential surplus-yield model for optimizing exploited fish populations. Amer. Fish. Soc., Trans, 99 (1): 80-88. M.S., University of Miami Committee Chairperson: Ernest O. Salo
1970
STOBER, QUENTIN J. 1969. Underwater noise spectra, fish sounds and response to low frequencies of cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki) with reference to orientation and homing in Yellowstone Lake. Amer. Fish. Soc., Trans., 98 (4): 652-663. Ph.D., Montana State University Committee Chairperson: Ernest O. Salo
1967
BAYLIFF, WILLIAM H. 1966. Population dynamics of the anchoveta, Cetengraulis mysticetus, in the Gulf of Panama, as determined by tagging experiments. Inter-Amer. Trop. Tuna Comm., Bull., 11 (4): 173-352. Ph.D., University of Washington Committee Chairperson: Ernest O. Salo
1966
FISCHLER, KENNETH J. 1965. The use of catch-effort, catch-sampling and tagging data to estimate a population of blue crabs. Amer. Fish. Soc., Trans., 94 (4): 287-310. M.S., University of Washington
1965
SUND, PAUL N. 1964. The chaetognaths of the waters of the Peru region. Inter. Amer. Trop. Tuna Comm., Bull., 9 (3): 113-216. University of Washington
1964 HOBSON, EDMUND S. 1963. Feeding behavior in three species of sharks. Pacif. Sci., 17 (2): 171-194. Ph.D., University of Hawaii
Background: Inspiration for the W.F. Thompson Award
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