In this new role, Schrank’s primary responsibility will be leading and supervising MNSG’s team of extension educators on the Duluth and St. Paul campuses.
“Beginning in her role as our Fisheries and Aquaculture Extension Educator in March 2020, Amy’s leadership, organizational, and people skills were clear from the outset. She has played a critical role in the success of the MNSG-led Great Lakes Aquaculture Collaborative (GLAC), the Yellow Perch egg-to-market project, Aquaculture Market Study and the Invasive Cattail research project, said MNSG Director John A. Downing. “Amy is currently the principal investigator for eight funded projects and all are making excellent progress toward completion.”
Schrank will share responsibility with the MNSG leadership team for forging strategies to meet MNSG’s strategic plan goals and outcomes.
Schrank's Ph.D. in zoology and physiology is from the University of Wyoming and her entire career has focused on research and teaching in aquatic ecosystems, including 20 years focused on the Great Lakes region.
“In my position at Minnesota Sea Grant, integrating research and outreach to meet the needs of Minnesotans has been deeply motivating both professionally and personally, said Schrank.”
Increasing the outcomes of MNSG extension projects and improving the extension program's profile through networking within the university, the Great Lakes region and nationally are priorities for Schrank.
“I plan to take advantage of opportunities for Minnesota Sea Grant extension educators to collaborate with faculty, researchers, and extension on the UMN Twin Cities campus to extend our reach and mission to more diverse communities in Minnesota and the Great Lakes region,” said Schrank.
Schrank also seeks to create opportunities for students in MNSG internships and fellowships to work directly with extension educators to gain hands-on, real-world extension work experience.
“I am eager to use a combination of research and outreach to address our current challenge of finding novel ways to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse community of water users within the context of a changing climate, said Schrank.”
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Minnesota Sea Grant is a systemwide program of the University of Minnesota and one of 34 federal-university Sea Grant partnerships across the country that bring applied water science to communities. Minnesota Sea Grant’s extension educators, researchers and communicators work with community members, local decision-makers, policy leaders, and personnel from resource agencies, business and industry to protect, enhance and restore habitats, ecosystems and the services those ecosystems provide. We are what makes the University of Minnesota a Sea Grant institution.
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CONTACTS
Amy Schrank, fisheries and aquaculture extension educator, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth.
John A. Downing, director, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth.
Marie Thoms, communications manager, Minnesota Sea Grant, University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota Duluth.