Jacob Katz, Ph.D.

Jacob Katz, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist




Biography

Jacob was born with gills. Fascinated with what happened below the water line he grew up chasing fish in every creek, puddle, river and pond he could find. Jacob earned his Ph.D. in ecology at the UC Davis Center for Watershed Sciences with Dr. Peter Moyle. He directed CalTrout’s Central California region from 2011 until 2025, when he transitioned his role to Senior Scientist on CalTrout’s new Science Team. Jacob’s work focuses on the ecological function of large river valleys and demonstrates how integrating working scientific knowledge of natural processes into the management of land and water results in multiple benefits for farms, fowl, and fish.

Learn more about Jacob’s journey into fish and farms in an article titled “Chasing Nigiri” by the Northern California Water Association.