Georgetown College. Georgetown University.

Leisurely casting his rod in the Wood River, 10-year-old Matthew Hamilton’s thoughts only focused on catching more trout than his dad did. Hamilton never guessed that in 20 years he would be working on research to support the management of fishing across the entire Chesapeake Bay.

For kids growing up in Hamilton’s family, fishing was a common recreational activity-- much like fishing is for people who live along the Chesapeake Bay and it’s tributaries. But most recreational fishermen aren’t aware of the details that go into conserving and protecting the fish populations that make their sport sustainable.

As Hamilton grew older, his math skills developed and his fishing interests expanded into a passion for conservation biology. In school, Hamilton was introduced to the study of population genetics, which combines both detailed mathematical concepts with studies of biological phenomena.

Hamilton’s love of fly fishing overlaps frequently with his current career as a population geneticist. For scientists studying the abstract, mathematical models of how populations shift and change, fish populations provide concrete examples under varying biological conditions. This means Hamilton and his students often get to combine “specimen collection” duties with a relaxing day of fishing out on the Chesapeake Bay.

Hamilton has a boat named "Permanent Sabbatical" and earned a Coast Guard Captain's license.

Whether catching fish for research purposes or for fun, Hamilton has managed to combine both hobby and career, making a significant impact on the management and conservation of one of his favorite fish, the striped bass.

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