Luke Hunt, Ph.D.
Associate Director of Conservation, California

Department: Conservation

Area of Focus: Sierra Meadow Restoration and Low Impact Development

Background: Luke joined American Rivers in 2010. Prior to American Rivers, Luke helped start an innovation and engineering design group, where his favorite project was developing a low-cost surgical machine for treating cataract in the developing world. He also worked on the antifreeze proteins found in Antarctic fish (including 100 under-ice scuba dives), and on habitat change in the Columbia River basin (including countless kayak surveys of the steeper tributaries). Luke has a Ph.D. in biomechanics and ecology from Stanford, where his dissertation focused on the nonlinear ecology of sea-level rise and climate change. Luke loves critically relevant science, testing strategies and stretching molds.

Education: B.S. & M.S. in Earth Systems from Stanford University
Ph.D. in Biology from Stanford University.

Favorite River: Stanislaus River