William Ardren, Ph.D.

Bill joined the region in May of 2023, after serving as the Director of the Service's Midwest Fisheries Center in Wisconsin. He brings 25 years of experience providing science leadership to enhance recovery and restoration of native species at the local, regional, and national levels. His previous positions include Regional Geneticist at the Abernathy Fish Technology Center in Washington State and Senior Fish Biologist at the Lake Champlain Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Vermont. Bill has served as a core member of national teams focused on review of priority propagation programs at National Fish Hatcheries and improvement of science support for Species Status Assessments. He grew up in Duluth, MN, and received a B.A. in biology from St. John's University; Ph.D. in fisheries science from University of Minnesota; and has been a visiting scholar at Dartmouth College. He has authored over 50 scientific papers and is a two-time recipient of the Service's Rachel Carson Award for Exemplary Scientific Accomplishment.

Bill enjoys spending time with his wife Sara and daughters Megan and Molly. He is passionate about supporting science-based decisions in collaborative conservation partnerships.