My name is Tholen Blasko. I am a senior (2021) at Washington State University majoring in Biology and German. I am honored to be an SOE-300 TA with Dr. Bill’s class this year.

I grew up along the Skykomish River, which cultivated a passion for salmon and salmon conservation from an early age. I plan on working in the fisheries biology field after graduating from WSU. I am currently working on my honors thesis, with Dr. Bill as my advisor, studying the effects of dam-removal on the Chinook salmon of the Elwha River. I have seen how major salmon restoration projects can bring people from all backgrounds together and unite them with a common goal. I spent time with Snohomish County Surface Water Management on their Snohomish River estuary restoration project and participated in an inter-agency salmon conservation summit hosted by the Tulalip Tribe.

I enjoy working with other people and growing my leadership skills. I have served on campus as a Resident Advisor, Honors 198 Facilitator, Simulated Client for the School of Veterinary Medicine, and currently, as an Assistant Hall Director for the Stephenson Complex.

I spend most of my free time in the outdoors. I am an avid fly-angler, frequenting the Grande Ronde and other areas in the Palouse almost every weekend. I also enjoy backpacking near my home in the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest, Henry M. Jackson Wilderness and the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. I like to travel and was able to study abroad with WSU in Berlin in 2019.

I am looking forward to serving on the virtual ecology team, exploring Kamiak Butte and its ecology through the amazing VR experience Aidan has set up. Don’t hesitate to email me with any questions about the class, the virtual ecology experience, or if you want to talk about fish!

Tholen graduated Honors College with Distinction in Spring 2021.