Rachel Roday

Fish Biologist

Rachel is a biologist with a passion for understanding the impact of humans on fish and their habitats. Hailing from Long Island, Rachel’s academic journey took her from studying shark physiology and fish behavior to ecology and restoration. While completing her master’s degree at the University of Delaware, Rachel researched American shad migration patterns and habitat use in the Delaware River Basin—work that first connected her with Inter-Fluve as the team explored dam removal opportunities in the area.

Why focus on shad? Once the backbone of the East Coast’s largest fishery, American shad populations have plummeted due to dams and other barriers blocking their historic migration routes. As diadromous fish, shad rely on a remarkable instinct to return to their ancestral spawning grounds, making them especially vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.

Rachel’s expertise in aquatic systems and restoration is complemented by her work addressing marine and coastal policy issues through programs such as the Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship, a NOAA initiative that pairs emerging scientists with federal agencies and legislative offices to support coastal communities. She brings this diverse background to Inter-Fluve, contributing to projects that reconnect fish to the places they belong.