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July
17, 2001
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an
online newsletter for and by NOAA employees
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Dr. Paul Moran aims high. He believes the challenge is to not only harness 
the energetic enthusiasm of young scientists, but to direct it toward
needed studies that also meet rigorous publication standards. A research
population molecular geneticist at NOAA's Northwest Fisheries Science
Center in Seattle, Paul's the new Employee of the Month. He is being
honored for not only setting such standards but for achieving them.
He has a proud track record. One high school senior taken under Paul's wing was curious about why wild coho salmon swimming in the nearby Chehalis River were genetically different from hatchery salmon that have shared the same river for decades. The young scientist was eager to apply a recently completed DNA-fingerprinting assignment to her quest. Working with DNA extracted from fin clips, and Paul and other members of NOAA's Conservation Biology team, she discovered genetic differences, duplicated her experiments with NOAA's genetic research technology, and then went on to win major awards in national and state competitions. Paul says that this is the first time in recent years that a high school student has directly contributed new information to NOAA's continuing research. Six years ago, a high school senior working with Paul and his colleagues discovered the first DNA markers for studying steelhead/cutthroat hybridization. Paul plans to conduct more tests on Chehalis salmon and hopes to publish the results, with his young scientist as the first author. Paul's most recent tutelage, and his work with many students before her, has helped the Northwest Fisheries Center to directly influence the career choices of Washington's middle and high school students. He and his NOAA colleagues have also worked to effectively improve biology curricula in Washington's schools. His collaborations with Project GROWS (Genetic Research on Washington Salmon) and with two state organizations building high school biology curricula have produced exciting, ongoing relationships among NOAA scientists, students and educators. Paul's convictions and dedication reflect proudly on him and NOAA. And they are clearly stirring the dreams and contributions of budding young scientists.
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