Mark Gaikowski
About Mark Gaikowski
Mark Gaikowski serves as the Director of the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center at the U.S. Geological Survey, where he has worked since 2014. He has extensive experience in biological research and resource management, having previously held positions as a Research Physiologist and Supervisory Biologist at the USGS.
Current Role at U.S. Geological Survey
Mark Gaikowski serves as the Director of the Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center (UMESC) at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He has held this position since 2014, managing a multidisciplinary team of specialists in fields such as ecology, animal physiology, and analytical chemistry. His role involves overseeing research initiatives that support the biological resource needs of the Department of Interior through the UMESC research program.
Previous Experience at U.S. Geological Survey
Prior to his current role, Mark Gaikowski worked at the U.S. Geological Survey as a Research Physiologist from 1993 to 2009. During this 16-year tenure, he contributed to various research projects and developed expertise in biological sciences. He transitioned to the position of Supervisory Biologist in 2009, where he has continued to apply his knowledge and leadership skills for the past 15 years.
Educational Background in Biology
Mark Gaikowski earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in General Biology from The University of South Dakota, where he studied from 1987 to 1991. He furthered his education at the same institution, obtaining a Master of Arts (MA) in Biology from 1991 to 1994. His academic background provides a solid foundation for his extensive career in environmental sciences and research.
Research Focus and Methodologies
In his current role, Mark Gaikowski focuses on producing, integrating, and transferring scientific information for species to ecosystem-level management of natural resources. He oversees research that includes manipulative experiments, descriptive studies, and long-term resource monitoring. His work leads experimental efforts conducted at multiple spatial scales, ranging from ecosystem to cellular levels.