Education

B.S.--1985, Biology and Zoology, University of Idaho, Moscow

M.S.--1990, Zoology, University of Idaho, Moscow

Ph.D.--1995, Zoology, Texas Tech University, Lubbock

1995-1997 Postdoctoral Fellow, Aquaculture Research Institute, University of Idaho

1997-2001 Research Scientist, Aquaculture Research Institute, University of Idaho

2001-present, Assistant Professor, Fish Genetics, Department of Animal and Veterinary Science /

Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Research Program

Research in my laboratory examines and quantifies genetic variation among individuals and populations to explore artificial selection and the evolutionary consequences of drift, natural selection and hybridization. We typically investigate these processes using non-coding genome regions such as mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite loci and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as proxies. However, the raw material for both natural and artificial selection lies within the heritable portion of the coding and regulatory regions of the genome which have historically received much profound thought but, until recently, little in-depth attention. Fortunately, analyses of global gene expression can now be accomplished using quantitative PCR and microarray technologies (expression profiling).  Most recently, my laboratory has been engaged in several studies which use quantitative PCR to detect disease and broaden our previous population genetic research by evaluating functional genomic differences among populations of trout, salmon, sturgeon, zebrafish and other species.

Selected Publications

Powell, M. S., V. A. Paragamian and J. Dunnigan. In press. Mitochondrial variation in North American burbot, Lota lota, with special reference to the Kootenai River in Idaho and Montana . North American Journal of Fisheries Management.

Foltz, J. R., K. P. Plant, K. Overturf, K. Clemons, and M. S. Powell. In press. Detection of Nucleospora salmonis in steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Journal of Fish Diseases.

Narum, S. R., D. Hatch, A. J. Talbot, P. Moran, and M. S. Powell.  In press.  Iteroparity in complex mating systems of steelhead trout.  Journal of Fish Biology.

Narum, S. R., W. D. Arnsberg, A. J. Talbot, and M. S. Powell. 2007. Reproductive isolation following reintroduction of Chinook salmon with alternate life histories. Conservation Genetics. online first.

Kozfkay, C.C., M. R. Campbell, S. Yundt, M. Peterson, and M. S. Powell. 2007. Incidence of hybridization between naturally sympatric westslope cutthroat trout and rainbow trout in the Middle Fork Salmon River drainage , Idaho . Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 136:624-638.

Narum, S. R., M. S. Powell, R. Evenson, B. Sharp, and A. J. Talbot. 2006. Microsatellites reveal population substructure of Klickitat River native steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and genetic divergence from an introduced stock. North American Journal of Fisheries Management 26:147-155.

Cegelski, C. C., M. R. Campbell, K. A. Meyers and M. S. Powell. 2006. Multi-scale genetic structure of Yellowstone cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki bouvieri in the upper Snake River basin . Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135:711-726.

Narum, S. R., S. Boe, P. Moran and M. S. Powell. 2006. Small scale genetic structure and variation in steelhead trout of the Grande Ronde River . Transactions of the American Fisheries Society 135:979-986.

Powell, M. S., K. Overturf, C. Hogge, and K. Johnson. 2005. Detection of Renebacterium salmoninarum in Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha using quantitative PCR. Journal of Fish Diseases 28:615-622.

Williams, R. N. and M. S. Powell. 2005. The Diversity, Structure and Status of Populations. Page 99-172 In: (R. N. Williams ed.) Return to the River, Elsevier Press, St. Louis , MO.

Lichatowich, J. A., M. S. Powell and R. N. Williams 2005. Artificial Production and the Effects of Fish Culture on Native Salmonids. Pages 417-464 In: (R. N. Williams ed.) Return to the River, Elsevier Press, St. Louis , MO.  

Powell, M. S. and J. C. Faler. 2004. Genetic analysis of Oncorhynchus nerka. Completion Report. Project No. 199009300, Bonneville Power Administration, Portland , OR .

Brannon, E.L., M.S. Powell, T.P. Quinn and A. Talbot. 2004. Population structure of Columbia River basin chinook salmon and steelhead trout. Reviews in Fisheries Science 12:99-232.

Williams, R., Lichatowich, J, P. Mundy and M. Powell. 2003. Integrating artificial production with salmonid life history, genetic and ecosystem diversity: A landscape perspective. Special Publication of Trout Unlimited. http://www.tu.org

Gamperl, A. K., K. J. Rodnick, H. A. Faust, E. C. Venn, M. T. Bennett, L.I. Crawshaw, E.R. Keeley, M. S. Powell, and H.W. Li. 2003.  Metabolism, swimming performance, and tissue biochemistry of high desert redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss ssp.): Evidence for phenotypic differences in physiological function. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 75:413-431.