College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Senior Water Policy Advisor, Michigan DNR

Biography: Dr. Tammy J. Newcomb serves as a Senior Water Policy Advisor for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR).  In her current role, she leads statewide issues for the Department such as preventing Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes, and coordination of cross departmental issues related to the Great Lakes.  She recently led implementation of a newly created $5 million invasive species program for the State of Michigan and a $1 million innovation challenge on invasive carp.  Dr. Newcomb received her B.S. and Ph.D. in Fisheries and Wildlife from Michigan State University and her M.S. from West Virginia University in Forestry.  Prior to her current appointment she served as the MDNR Fisheries Division Research Program Manager.  Before she began service with the MDNR, Dr. Newcomb was an Assistant Professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a research program focused on management of regulated rivers.   Dr. Newcomb is adjunct Associate Professor at Michigan State University, a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Science Advisory Board and has enjoyed serving on three National Academy of Science Panels regarding the Klamath River Basin and the Columbia River.