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Dr. Leandro Esteban (Steve) Miranda

Dr. Steve Miranda is a fisheries research biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey Mississippi Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and Professor of Fisheries at Mississippi State University, where he has worked since 1986. Steve completed his bachelors at Morehead State University in Biology and Chemistry in 1978, his masters at Auburn University in fishery biology in 1981, and his doctorate at Mississippi State University in Forest Ecology and Statistics in 1986. He worked for Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources in 1977-1978 and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1981-1983.

Dr. Miranda has contributed immensely to inland fisheries management, with more than 140 papers published in the peer-reviewed literature. Broad categories of a few of his contributions include fundamental fish sampling, notably standardized electrofishing protocols, data analysis considerations such as modeling sport fish recruitment and yields, and reservoir classification and management. The scope of his work has ranged from developing crappie management strategies in Mississippi and resolving striped bass controversies in Tennessee to assessing reservoir habitat nationwide and worldwide. Steve was an early proponent of thinking "outside the reservoir" when biologists considered how best to manage reservoir fisheries. His reconceptualization of reservoirs as impounded rivers has influenced, and will continue to influence, the science and management of reservoir fisheries. While reservoir fishery management remains a thrust, Dr. Miranda has broadened his research to include river-influenced oxbow lakes, little studied systems with significant conservation and recreational value in Mississippi and beyond.

In recognition of his expertise, Steve has been invited to contribute chapters to five American Fisheries Society books that are essential text and reference books for fisheries students and practicing professionals. He has directed the graduate programs of 37 students to date, many of whom have emerged as leaders in fisheries management. He received the American Fisheries Society Excellence in Education Award in 2014. Steve has influenced fishery resource management in countries in South America and Europe and hosted nine visiting scientists.

Steve has also developed fishery assessment protocols and a data management and analysis package that have increased fisheries assessment efficiency and fisheries management effectiveness for Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP). He evaluated electrofishing injury for the AFS Fisheries Management Section. Recently, Steve has conducted strategic decision making workshops for MDWFP. He also provides assistance and technical consultation to Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Geological Survey Mississippi water office.

Dr. Miranda has served the fisheries profession, and the fisheries management community in particular, as Associate Editor (1989-1991) and Editor (1991-1996) of North American Journal of Fisheries Management. He was Chair of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society Reservoir Committee. Dr. Miranda was Chair of the Steering and Program committees for the Third National Reservoir Symposium hosted by the Reservoir Committee and co-edited the proceedings (Multidimensional Approaches to Reservoir Fisheries Management, American Fisheries Society Symposium 16) of that meeting.