Featured Scientist

Scott Harris participates on fish survey on the Middle Fork Eel River. CDFW Photo by Amanda Ekstrand.

Scott L. Harris is an environmental scientist with CDFW’s Northern Region, based in Mendocino County. Scott is responsible for monitoring and managing salmonid populations in the Eel River and Mendocino coast watersheds as part of the North Central District Salmon and Steelhead Management Project, a multi-faceted effort funded through the Sport Fish Restoration Act (SFRA). His fieldwork includes counting adult salmon and steelhead through spawning ground surveys and ladder counts at the Van Arsdale Fisheries Station (VAFS), counting juvenile salmonids migrating to the ocean and determining resident trout distribution in the Mendocino National Forest. Much of his time is spent at the VAFS fish ladder studying the biological effects of water releases from the Potter Valley Project (PVP). He also consults on fish passage issues, evaluating man-made structures (fish ladders, etc.) at road crossings to determine whether they are damaged, blocked or in need of cleaning, and whether the design is adequate to meet the need.

What or who inspired you to become a scientist?

The “what” is water. I am fascinated with water, salt or fresh. I grew up in Southern California and spent most of my time at the beach. When I was about 10, I was instantly hooked on the ocean when I first put a mask on and saw what was taking place under the waves. At about the same age, I found a local stream and was mesmerized by the number of animals that lived in and around that stream. Then came my love affair with PBS, NOVA, Wild Kingdom, the local library, etc. I’m guessing a lot of folks went through a similar progression.

The “who” probably started with Carl Sagan, Marlin Perkins (and, of course, Jim Fowler, Perkins’ assistant), my friend’s mom (a science teacher) and my dad (an engineer). Today I am surrounded by many colleagues who feed my interest in science and I would bet these folks are inspirational for many others, young and old.

My fascination with water continues today with my job. However, my work with the department requires the understanding of the physical aspects of water, not just the biological aspects. In stream restoration, it is necessary that one understands hydrology and fluvial (movement of sediment in water) processes.

What is a typical day like for you at work?

If there was a typical day, I would probably quit! There are days when I am greeted at my door by hunters that need a bear or deer validated. When a hunter takes a deer or bear, the animal must be reviewed and then some paperwork is completed indicating that the take was legal. In addition, a tooth must be extracted from bears. The tooth is used to determine age and this information is used as a tool in management of our black bear populations. Sometimes I’m asked to pull a bear tooth in the Safeway parking lot or at the gas station. This is not exactly fisheries but I absolutely believe I am part of a team. Typically, if I receive a call before 9 a.m., I know my day will change and that someone needs help. Many days include a wild card. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

I am one of the lucky ones. During the year, I spend 90 percent of my time in the field. So, 90 percent of the year, I leave my office excited and with a smile on my face, ready to learn something new or hopefully teach someone something new.

What is your favorite species to interact with or study?

For those who know me, they know how important herps and birds are to me. I bring that knowledge to many of my colleagues. However, there are two species that I have a special fondness for: The Middle Fork Eel River summer Steelhead and the Pacific Lamprey.

We conduct an annual free dive/snorkel survey on the Middle Fork Eel River that was named the “Death March” 30 or more years ago. This 26-mile, five-day survey is conducted in the Middle Eel/Yolla Bolly Wilderness located in Trinity and Mendocino counties with the intent to enumerate adult summer Steelhead. Dozens of department employees have been on the Death March over the years and I guarantee that they have yet to forget it. This annual survey began in 1966.

In 2009, I took over the activities at the Van Arsdale Fisheries Station located in the upper Eel River. Through our activities there, Pacific Lamprey became a target species for study. I have been collaborating with two people, Damon Goodman with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Stewart Reid with Western Fishes, both of whom are known for their background and expertise on Pacific Lamprey. We have all learned some amazing things about Pacific Lamprey. There has already been one “white” paper written from this work and I believe there are at least another two in the making.

What aspect of working on monitoring salmonid populations is the most challenging?

The projects that are most challenging are typically those with numerous stakeholders or interested parties. I have been involved with the Willits Bypass for decades and this project has seen multiple agencies and interested parties over time. Keep in mind, the Willits Bypass was started in 1955, so the number of interested parties could be considered myriad. Another project with a high number of interested parties is the PVP. With the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing effort underway for the PVP, things are getting interesting.

What is the most rewarding project that you have worked on for CDFW?

There are a few projects that come to mind, but the one that I will tell you about is more about how I have volunteered my time as a mentor. About 10 years ago, a neighbor introduced me to her son, Bryan. Bryan needed a science fair project. Before we decided on a project, I thought it would be good to involve Bryan in some of the fieldwork we conduct. So, he ended up getting a taste of salmon spawning ground surveys, juvenile outmigrant trapping, backpack electrofishing – he even participated in the infamous Death March.

The project we decided on was, to say the least, controversial. The title of the project was “Why is there no water in Alder Creek.” And yes, this project had everything to do with the effect of pot growing on aquatic resources. We conducted the fieldwork on weekends due to Bryan’s school schedule and we worked on maps and tables in the evenings. This project led to numerous field visits with department enforcement and Bureau of Land Management enforcement. Things got a little hairy in the field. It also led to a few threats over the phone. The bottom line is, Bryan’s project won first place at the state level and he even got to have lunch with retired Governor Deukmejian. I remain in touch with Bryan to this day, I suppose, as a father figure.

What is the most challenging aspect of your career as an environmental scientist?

For myself, and probably for most of us in the department who conduct monitoring, research and habitat restoration, it is resources. Not having resources (money) to implement more of what we are already doing is maddening. The challenge is to be OK with so little help.

If you had free reign and unlimited funding, what scientific project would you most like to do?

In, at least, our state’s three largest rivers (Sacramento, Klamath and Eel) I would like to see aquatic habitat (rivers, estuaries, lagoons, vernal pools, etc.) restoration of every conceivable type take place, and as quickly as possible. With the implementation of the restoration would come monitoring the effectiveness of the implementation by evaluating the response by plants, animals and the physical environment.

Any advice for people considering careers in science or natural resources?

Certainly, education plays a key role when it comes to our natural resources and science. Education also includes get involved in internships and/or volunteering. I have mentored 15 AmeriCorps members, two of whom went on to get doctorate degrees in fisheries ecology.

Top photo: Scott Harris hoists a bucket during a fish rescue on Feliz Creek. CDFW photo by Derek Acomb

Erin loads evidence samples onto the Applied Biosystems 3500xl Genetic Analyzer in order to visualize their DNA profiles.


Erin and her husband, Jeff Rodzen, a fisheries geneticist for CDFW, have two children, 4-year-old Ryan and 9-month-old Reagan.


Erin and her husband, Jeff Rodzen, a fisheries geneticist for CDFW, have two children, 4-year-old Ryan and 9-month-old Reagan.


Erin competes in dressage aboard her horse Grande.

Erin Meredith is a senior wildlife forensic specialist. With 18 years at CDFW’s Wildlife Forensics Laboratory (WFL), Erin is the senior member of the four-person scientific team that conducts DNA analysis, species identification and other evidence processing to support CDFW’s criminal cases and protect California’s fish and wildlife from poaching, exploitation and abuse.

CDFW’s lab is just one of approximately 10 wildlife forensic laboratories in the nation. It works on approximately 100 criminal cases every year and plays a key public safety role by helping to identify the correct species and offending animals in attacks that may involve mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, and even great white sharks.

Born in San Jose and raised in Placer County, Erin holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in genetics from UC Davis.

What inspired you to become a scientist?

From a young age, I always enjoyed math and science. I liked the definitive answers and learning about how things worked. In high school, I had a wonderful biology teacher, and I specifically remember him teaching a unit on DNA. At that time, DNA and genetics were just starting to become more mainstream, and I was just so intrigued with how the DNA bases were essentially translated into the “language” of different functions within the body. I think that was the turning point when I knew specifically what I wanted to study in college.

How did you get to CDFW?

While I was at UC Davis, I started working as an intern and undergraduate researcher with a group that did fish genetics. It turned out that they had a long history of contracts for genetic work with CDFW’s Fisheries Branch, so I had my first exposure to the department there. I was not necessarily interested in sticking with fish genetics as I was becoming more interested in the law enforcement and forensic aspects of DNA. I thought I’d end up working in human forensics at the time.

It was my uncle who worked as one of the hatchery coordinators in the department who connected me with wildlife forensics -- kind of by accident. He told me, “Hey, there are these two guys in Region 2 who walk around in lab coats all the time. I’m not exactly sure what they do, but they have something to do with forensics. You should really look into it.” And so I did.

I ended up meeting Jim Banks, who was a senior wildlife forensic specialist and had been with the department for nearly 20 years. He invited me to come in and learn about the techniques they were using and what some of their investigations looked like. Little did I know he was testing me as a replacement for his scientific aid who was about to go off to graduate school. When she left, I got a scientific aid position at the lab. I guess you could say the rest is history.

Unfortunately, the lab has always been very small. For the majority of its existence, it was run by only two full-time staff and scientific aids, so I was actually a scientific aide from 2000 to 2007. It was a long ride. I obtained a full-time position in 2007 when Jim Banks retired.

Let’s say you’re in a social setting without any CDFW colleagues around. How do you explain what you do for a living?

I usually ask them, “Do you ever watch ‘CSI?’ ” Most of the time they say, “Of course, that’s such a cool show.” And then I say, “Just imagine instead of humans, it’s crimes involving wildlife.” My joke is always that human forensics is boring – you only work on one species. With wildlife, the possibilities are essentially endless.

How many species do you typically work on?

We currently have extensive DNA databases and can do individual matching like they do in human forensics on California deer, elk, mountain lion, black bear, coyotes and wolves. We can also use DNA to identify virtually any animal to the species level. The lab has done cases involving everything from abalone to zebra.

Beyond processing criminal evidence, can you explain the lab’s public safety role?

The lab is called in to assist with DNA analyses on many public safety incidents – especially when there is the potential of physical contact between a person and an animal and the department needs to confirm the species or identity the offending animal. Typically, these incidents involve black bear, mountain lion or coyotes, though we’ve also analyzed attacks by other species – deer, river otter, and great white sharks to name a few. By analyzing the DNA left in the form of saliva around bite wounds or even so-called “touch” DNA from claw wounds, we can verify an attack actually happened, confirm the species involved, and, depending on the species, obtain the genetic profile and sex of the offending animal. This genetic information allows us to compare the DNA profiles of trapped suspect animals with the offending animal’s DNA collected directly from the human victim. When these genetic profiles are a match, we can confirm with statistical certainty that the trapped suspect is indeed the offender. If the profiles do not match, we can free the innocent – which has happened a good number of times.

What do you like best about your job?

I like that we can use DNA to tell the story of what actually happened or what is actually present in each case. Many times, the suspected poachers’ stories or even accounts from people involved in possible wildlife attacks just don’t add up. Sometimes even what our wildlife officers believe to be true from their investigation is different than what the DNA shows. DNA doesn’t lie so letting the science speak and tell the true story is a wonderful tool.

If you had free rein and unlimited funding, what scientific project would you most like to take on?

This is a very difficult question as there are so many projects to choose from. As a forensic lab, we try to watch what the human forensic labs are doing and mimic their methods to the best of our abilities. We are currently watching what is happening with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and how this technology will evolve in the forensic community. We are interested in the potential to utilize this to combat issues such as “zone poaching” – killing a deer out of a zone for which the hunter doesn’t have a tag -- or possibly issues regarding hybridization.

With the passage of AB 96 and the resulting new ivory laws in 2015, we are doing more work with wildlife that is trafficked internationally. The demands placed on the WFL have already expanded beyond what we envisioned, resulting in new collaborative efforts and non-DNA-based analyses. I don’t know exactly where any of these paths will lead, but I do know that the WFL will continue to do its best to answer any legal questions through the use of thorough and principled scientific methods.

Tell us something about yourself people would be surprised to learn.

Many people know that I am a lifelong equestrian. I still love to ride and compete, but my secret goal in life is to be on “American Ninja Warrior.” I do a lot of physical fitness type activities, but nowhere near the training needed for that show – yet!

CDFW Photos. Top Photo: Erin Meredith.