Dr. J. Ellen Marsden, Professor of Fisheries Biology, retired from the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at ̽̽ (̽̽) in May 2024. She was celebrated for her countless contributions to ̽̽ and the state of Vermont at a ceremony during the spring semester, where she was honored with an Emerita citation.
Ellen earned her PhD from the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University. After working as a scientist in the Illinois Natural History Survey and Director of the Lake Michigan Biological Station, she joined the Rubenstein School in 1996 and was promoted to full Professor in 2006.
Ellen’s research has focused on restoration, ecology, behavior, and genetics of fish in the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain. She is an expert on lake trout and non-native, invasive species including alewife and zebra mussels. Her expertise and career have been featured in many forms of media, including .
A highly accomplished author, Ellen’s published work includes 140 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Throughout her 26-year career at ̽̽, she has secured over $12 million in external funding. Ellen’s research has been recognized with awards from the New York Council of Trout Unlimited and the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission. In February of 2024, she was honored with the New York Chapter of the American Fisheries Society’s Professional Achievement Award in recognition of her profound impact on the field of fisheries science and conservation and in honor of her leadership and contributions.
“It has been an honor to work alongside Ellen in the Wildlife and Fisheries Biology program in the Rubenstein School,” said Allan Strong, Interim Dean of the Rubenstein School. “Her expertise in the field of fisheries and her commitment to creating an excellent student experience is unmatched.”
During her teaching career at ̽̽, Ellen has been awarded the Glen Elder Leadership Award for support of students in the LGTBQ community and the Marcia Caldwell Award for commitment and dedication to the students in the Rubenstein School. She served as the advisor or co-advisor for 20 M.S. and 4 Ph.D. students, 10 post-doctoral associates, and 10 ̽̽ undergraduate honors theses.
“I could not have asked for a better mentor than Ellen, both as an undergraduate professor and master’s advisor,” said Lee Simard, BS ’12 and MS ’16, Fisheries Biologist with Vermont Fish and Wildlife. “Ellen is a leading expert in her field, well connected to other scientists across the country, and adept at always identifying and funding important projects. Just as important though is that Ellen is truly passionate and excited about the work that she does. That passion and excitement is contagious anytime you work with her.”
This appreciation for Ellen’s passion and excitement was echoed by colleagues at ̽̽ and the State of Vermont. Ellen has held numerous leadership roles in professional organizations including the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission, the Journal of Great Lakes Research, and the Lake Champlain Basin Program. She is also an American Fisheries Society Fellow. Her enthusiastic partnership with agencies and nonprofit organizations earned her a reputation for helpfulness and care for local ecosystems.
“Ellen has a special ability to relate her own excitement and wonder about fish and their behavior to students, the public, policymakers, and resource managers,” said Breck Bowden, ̽̽ Professor Emeritus, former Director of the Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center and the Lake Champlain Sea Grant program. “Her research has been driven by curiosity, but always focused on revealing practical knowledge that has been useful for the management of important recreational fish species. She has left an impact on the aquatic resources we enjoy and depend on and has inspired a new generation of fish ecologists and managers.”
“I have had a great collaborative relationship with Ellen for over 25 years,” said Bernie Pientka, Fisheries Biologist with Vermont Fish and Wildlife. “When she arrived at ̽̽ she served on my thesis committee for my master’s degree, and when I joined Vermont Fish and Wildlife, I started to interact with her regularly. We’ve since worked on multiple projects together and she has always been there to talk about fisheries and bounce ideas back and forth with. Whenever we need help with field sampling, Ellen has always been there willing to help. Her fisheries work on Lake Champlain will always be recognized.”
Over the past few years, Ellen was instrumental in securing the Rubenstein School’s research vessel, the Marcelle Melosira, through her partnership with the Great Lakes Fisheries Commission. She also helped to design the research vessel, equipping it with state-of-the-art gear for a wide range of lake and fisheries research needs. The Marcelle Melosira now serves as a classroom and research space for future scientists following in Ellen’s footsteps and learning from her legacy.
In the year ahead Ellen will remain at ̽̽ to assist faculty and graduate students with their research projects and wrap up some of her own on Lake Champlain.