Patrick Shirey connects people to nature. Equally comfortable in waders conducting fieldwork as in a business suit meeting with policymakers, Patrick uses his training in aquatic ecology and law to effect ecological restoration and inform environmental policy. In addition to his work, Patrick is passionate about his hobbies of growing native plant species like pawpaw and having a landscaped edible yard that contributes to biodiversity. 

Patrick served the American Fisheries Society in 2015 as their first policy fellow, working to update their policy statements on threatened and endangered species. His national awards include a Graduate Student Policy Award from the Ecological Society of America in 2010, and a George Melendez Wright Climate Change Fellowship from the National Park Service to study native brook trout and their habitat on the wild and scenic Namekagon River in Wisconsin (2012-2013). He was a selected participant for an interdisciplinary, post-doctoral symposium series in 2014 - Ecological Dissertations in the Aquatic Sciences - hosted by the University of Hawaii and supported by the National Science Foundation. Patrick also received one of four Emerging Leaders Mentorship Awards from the American Fisheries Society in 2016 to participate and learn in Governing Board meetings. Patrick currently serves the American Fisheries Society's Resource Policy Committee as Chair (2017-2020), having previously served as Vice Chair (2016-2017). He also serves the American Fisheries Society Northeastern Division as President-elect. 

Patrick has appeared for interviews as a guest on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and Science Friday, and local radio (WOJB in Reserve, WI). 

Affiliation
Assistant Professor

Department of Geology and Environmental Science
University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260-3332

Certifications

Certified Ecologist (esa.org)

Certified Fisheries Professional (fisheries.org)

Education

Ph.D. Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame

J.D. Law, The Pennsylvania State University, The Dickinson School of Law,

M.S. Wildlife Science, New Mexico State University

B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Science, The Pennsylvania State University

International study experience: International Summer School in Irish Studies: Irish History and Anglo-Irish Literature. University College Cork. Cork, Ireland.