Andrew Rypel, Ph.D.

Andrew Rypel, Ph.D.

  • School Director and Professor
  • School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences
(334) 844-9125
alr0149@auburn.edu
203 Swingle Hall
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Dr. Andrew L. Rypel is Director of the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture & Aquatic Sciences at Auburn University, where he leads programs spanning freshwater and marine fisheries, aquaculture, conservation, and aquatic ecology. A nationally recognized fisheries scientist, his research focuses on fish conservation, ecosystems, and ways of managing natural resource to balance human and environmental needs. As Director, Dr. Rypel is passionate about building innovative discovery and training programs, expanding partnerships, and strengthening Auburn’s land-grant and extension missions for Alabama.

Education

  • BA, Environmental ScienceSaint Louis University2001

  • MS, FisheriesAuburn University2004

  • Ph.D.University of Alabama2008

Professional Experience

Dr. Rypel was previously a Professor and the Peter B. Moyle and the California Trout Chair in Coldwater Fish Ecology at UC Davis in the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Biology and Director for the Center of Watershed Sciences at UC Davis. He also has experience as a Research Fishery Scientist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and as a faculty member at Virginia Tech.

In early 2025, he returned to Auburn University as the Director of the School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences.

Research

Dr. Rypel's research is often powered by interests in freshwater conservation, fisheries management, actionable conservation science and ecosystem ecology. Freshwater fisheries, biodiversity and ecosystem function are in a state of collapse at all scales. One of the core challenges facing freshwater conservation science is that knowledge is simply lacking on ecological relationships between species and environments. Dr. Rypel often targets multidisciplinary questions emerging at the science-policy nexus; therefore collaborating with agencies, conservation practitioners, and the public is a major part of his work. He hasalso long been attracted to basic pursuits in ecology, including the development, testing and application of ecological theories, especially if this work can lead to improved conservation actions.