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PhD Program
Melissa Laser
melissa.laser@maine.gov
Email Melissa
Doctoral Candidate
Environmental Studies
Entered the program in 2002
Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission
Augusta, Maine
Melissa is the senior planner for the Maine Atlantic Salmon Commission. She received a BS and MS from the University of Maine. She is currently working on her doctorate at Antioch University New England, where she was named as a Switzer Environmental Fellow in 2004. Melissa is the team leader of the Gulf of Maine Distinct Population Segment of Atlantic Salmon Recovery Team, and chair of the Atlantic Salmon Recovery Team Coordinating Committee.
Melissa feels very fortunate to be able to pursue her academic interests while working for the Commission. “The two intersect wonderfully, which benefits both my academic and professional work. The extensive reading and writing I do for the doctoral program continues to shed new light on the problems I encounter working to restore Atlantic salmon. The experience I gain working with extremely diverse and talented professionals on the restoration efforts provides me with a perspective from the ’real world’ which enables me to continue to frame my research objectives in a manner that is directly applicable to the restoration efforts.”
Melissa’s academic and professional focus is on the restoration of riverine systems, particularly systems that support salmonids. She is looking at the restoration of coastal Maine watersheds from an ecosystem perspective. Freshwater habitat for Atlantic salmon appears to be a factor limiting the recovery of the species. Melissa’s research focuses on the restoration of processes within a riverine ecosystem, particularly riparian function, as a method for restoring Atlantic salmon through the creation of diverse abiotic habitat parameters.
© 2007 Antioch University New England, 40 Avon Street, Keene, NH 03431-3516 800.553.8920