Elsa K. Toskey, MSc.

       EDUCATION                                                 

Master of Science, Environmental Science                          

Washington State University                                                                      Jul 2023

GPA: 4.00

Awards:

Boeing Graduate Fellowship in Environmental Studies 2022 – 2023

       Cougar Creek & Salmon Creek Confluence Fellowship 2022 – 2023

         Robert Lane Fellowship in Environmental Science 2022 – 2023

         Kate B. Webster Endowment Fund Scholarship 2022 – 2023

         L.M. Hidden Charitable Trust Scholarship – STEM 2022 – 2023

Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science – Biological Sciences                          

The University of Texas at Austin                                                            Dec 2018

GPA: 3.90

Honors: College Scholar 2016 – 2018

        Research + Fieldwork                             

Fisheries Research Scientist, NOAA Fisheries                  Jul 2024 – Present

• Contractor in service to the Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA Fisheries) via Ocean Associates, Inc.
• Investigated freshwater foodscapes of juvenile salmon and steelhead, modeling drift invertebrate densities, availability, and environmental drivers to directly inform habitat restoration strategies across western North America.
• Collaborated with over 60 scientists at NOAA and other federal, state, and local agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and universities to advance research on stream food web dynamics and habitat restoration for salmon conservation.
• Authored/co-authored 2 peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts (with 3 more in progress) for publication in scientific journals.
• Used R, Git, GitHub, and ArcGIS (spatial analysis, frequentist and bayesian modeling, data visualization, and data wrangling/management) to compile and analyze a large dataset (6160 records) of drift invertebrate samples and environmental covariates.
• Co-mentored two undergraduate Hollings Scholars.
• Collected data and samples in the Puget Sound (townetting for fish and plankton tows) and in the Elwha River system (drift invertebrate sampling).
• Presented research findings at two regional conferences (American Fisheries Society, WA-BC chapter, and Society for Freshwater Science, PNW chapter).

Salmon Data Support Biologist, WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife   

Sept 2023 – May 2024

• Analyzed historical escapement, run reconstruction, and harvest datasets with R.
• Co-authored a technical report, Puget Sound Comprehensive Chum Salmon Report: A State of the Science, Population Trends, and Harvest Co-Management on Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Returning to the Puget Sound Region of Washington State.
• Performed field collection of live and dead salmon scales and tissue for genetic stock identification and age, and recorded sex and length.
• Represented WDFW in the management of Puget Sound salmon resources, recreational, and commercial fishing interests consistent with Fish and Wildlife Commission policies, US v WA co-management principles, and Pacific Salmon Treaty obligations.

Graduate Research Assistant, Washington State University

Jul 2020 – Jul 2023

• Researched the relative importance of abiotic, biotic, and spatial factors in structuring the macroinvertebrate metacommunity in a temperate rainforest.
• Authored 2 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals (Aquatic Sciences and Water).
• Used multivariate and regression techniques to analyze quantitative and spatial salmon habitat and macroinvertebrate data in R.
• Collected benthic and drift invertebrates and measured chlorophyll-a content of periphyton and seston/phytoplankton from wadeable streams.
• Measured water quality, chemistry, flow, and habitat variables.
• Identified macroinvertebrates to genus using a dissecting microscope.

Hydrology Assistant, National Park Service                            Feb – Mar 2020

• Designed a study to assess change in E. coli levels following rain.
• Monitored E. coli levels in the Chattahoochee River.

Botany Technician, University of Idaho                                   Apr – Aug 2019

• Performed vegetation surveys in the sagebrush steppe as part of a research project studying the effects of cattle grazing on Greater sage-grouse nesting success.
• Worked independently and in a team to identify and measure grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Keyed out plants with a dichotomous key.
• Navigated rough dirt roads with 4WD. Hiked up to 10 miles a day to field sites.

Science Coordinator/Crew Lead, Longhorn Stream Team

Aug 2015 – Dec 2018

• Led a team of citizen scientists in field measurement of water quality of remote rivers reached by multiday canoe trips.
• Maintained and serviced water-quality instruments.
• Compiled, organized, and proofed data for a joint EPA, TCEQ, and Texas State University database.
• Trained volunteers in water chemistry testing and river navigation.
• Applied for and received grants.

        Environmental Education                       

Naturalist/Raft Guide, Oregon River Experiences      Jun 2024 – Apr 2025

• Developed and delivered daily, site-specific curriculum on natural and human history for multi-day river trips on the Owyhee, Rogue, Grande Ronde, and Lower Salmon Rivers (class III-IV), in partnership with Road Scholar.

Teaching Assistant, Washington State University        Jan 2021 – Dec 2022

• Lab TA for SOE 110 (Environment, Human Life, and Sustainability).
• Lab TA for BIOL 107 (Cell Biology and Genetics).
• Lecture TA for BIOL 107 (Cell Biology and Genetics).

Naturalist/Raft Guide, Mother Lode River Center

May 2017 – Oct 2019 (Summers)

• Head guide on class III+ rafting trips on the South Fork American River.
• Taught school groups about river science (aquatic invertebrates, hydrology, conservation, botany) and Gold Rush history. Facilitated team-building activities.

        Selected Publications                              

Toskey, EK, Matsuoka, T, Kiffney, PM, Naman, S, Liermann, MC, et al. 2025.DRIFteRS: A dataset of drift invertebrate densities in streams and rivers across western North America, 1997–2024. (In review at Ecology; data published at Environmental Data Initiative).

Stearman, L., Lamb, JJ, Toskey, EK, Fullerton, A. 2025. Bycatch data provide decade-scale inferences into key ecological processes for anadromous-salmonids in wilderness streams. (In review).

Toskey EK, Bollens SM, Kiffney PM, Martens KD, Rollwagen-Bollens G. 2024. The relative importance of abiotic, biotic, and spatial factors in structuring the macroinvertebrate metacommunity in a temperate rainforest. Aquatic Sciences, 86:110.

        Professional Organizations                   

Society for Freshwater Science, PNW Chapter member       2020 – present

Ecological Society of America, national member                    2023 – present

       Certifications                                              

NOLS Wilderness First Responder, Exp. Jul 2026