STEM Shoutout: Dr. Megan Osborne

Genetic diversity of Rio Grande silvery minnow studied by UNM professor

UNM Research Professor Megan Osborne is working on the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Genetics Assessment and Monitoring project, which monitors the effects conservation actions, like captive
breeding, have on genetic diversity in the Rio Grande Silvery silvery minnow.

Osborne has been working with Thomas Turner on this project. It has been funded by the Bureau of Reclamation for $182,477 this year, but the study has been running since 2002.

“This study is one of the longest genetic monitoring studies conducted in a non-salmonid freshwater fish,” Osborne said.