Brian Alper

Contact Information

Email: brian.alper@maine.edu

Advisor: Dr. Walt Golet

Education

B.A. in Marine Science with minors in Applied Mathematics and Aquaculture & Aquarium Sciences, University of New England

Biography

Areas of Interest: movement and feeding ecology, along with age, growth, and life history of highly migratory species

Proposed Research: the development of epigenetic aging techniques on blue marlin, white marlin, and swordfish

Brian Alper is a masters student in the Pelagic Fisheries Lab (PFL) under the guidance of Dr. Walt Golet. Brian received his B.S. in marine sciences at the University of New England (UNE), where his undergraduate research centered around the geochemistry and microstructure of striped bass (Morone saxatilis) otoliths and scales. Following graduation, Brian worked as a technician at the PFL collecting and processing biological samples from the commercial Atlantic bluefin tuna (ABFT) fishery. Afterwards, he moved out to California where he worked as an otolith specialist at the Otolith Geochemistry and Fish Ecology Laboratory (OGFL) at the University of California, Davis. In this role, he headed various projects on the age, growth, and life history of longfin (Spirinchus thaleichthys) and delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus). In January of 2025, Brian made his return to the Northeast and the PFL as a masters student, researching age and growth of highly migratory pelagic species. His current project focuses on developing epigenetic aging techniques for various billfish including swordfish (Xiphias gladius), blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), and white marlin (Kajikia albida).