Experience

NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

• United States
• Government Administration
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Research Scientist

  • Jan 2023 - Present

  Currently a Research Scientist in Offshore Wind Research and Monitoring Initiative (RMI) branch of the Division of Science and Research (NJDEP). Develops and manages diverse projects assessing impacts of offshore wind developments on marine resources (e.g. habitat, fish and fisheries, marine mammals, birds and bats, etc.). Collaborates with diverse stakeholders, academics, and state/regional/federal entities to address research needs at the local (New Jersey) and regional (Mid-Atlantic Bight) spatial scale. For for information on the RMI and current projects visit https://dep.nj.gov/offshorewind/rmi/ Show less



East Carolina University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate Researcher

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  Manages interdisciplinary project evaluating migration corridors and offshore spawning habitat for southern flounder in North Carolina. Project incorporates acoustic telemetry, UAV operations, ichthyoplankton sampling, otolith aging and microchemistry, DNA barcoding, and larval dispersal modeling. Also manages Beaufort Inlet Ichthyoplankton Sampling Program (BIISP) a long-term estuarine monitoring program with NOAA. Laboratory Manager for Dr. Rebecca Asch at ECU. Manages interdisciplinary project evaluating migration corridors and offshore spawning habitat for southern flounder in North Carolina. Project incorporates acoustic telemetry, UAV operations, ichthyoplankton sampling, otolith aging and microchemistry, DNA barcoding, and larval dispersal modeling. Also manages Beaufort Inlet Ichthyoplankton Sampling Program (BIISP) a long-term estuarine monitoring program with NOAA. Laboratory Manager for Dr. Rebecca Asch at ECU.



University of Massachusetts Amherst

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate Researcher

  • Jun 2018 - Sep 2019

  . Implemented fisheries research program for the conservation and management of recreational fisheries in the Outer Islands, Seychelles. Worked with local fishing guides and fishers to assess the spatial ecology, stress physiology, and population genetics of recreationally target species. Fish were tagged with PIT tags and surgically implanted acoustic transmitters. Deployed and maintained array of 80+ acoustic receivers and 40 T/P loggers. Established long-term catch and harvest databases to monitor fishing impacts. Evaluated influence of human activity on resident trevally (C. ignobilis) using wildlife cameras and biologgers. Managed program outreach and media, trained fishing guides and local Seychellois on tagging, sampling, and fish monitoring methods. Assisted Island Conservation Society officers with various projects including long-term coral and fish monitoring research, sea turtle satellite tagging, and more. Show less



Bonefish & Tarpon Trust

• United States
• Non-profit Organization Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate Researcher

  • Mar 2018 - Sep 2019

  Contributed to research throughout the southeastern coastal US evaluating tarpon and permit migration and behavior. Conducted fish collection, acoustic/electronic telemetry, and maintenance of interstate acoustic receiver network. Contributed to outreach and educational activities and worked with state management agencies, NGO’s, and the recreational fishing community to build fisher buy-in. Contributed to research throughout the southeastern coastal US evaluating tarpon and permit migration and behavior. Conducted fish collection, acoustic/electronic telemetry, and maintenance of interstate acoustic receiver network. Contributed to outreach and educational activities and worked with state management agencies, NGO’s, and the recreational fishing community to build fisher buy-in.



California State University, Long Beach

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Graduate Student

  • Jun 2014 - Aug 2018

  Conducted M.S. thesis research evaluating the physiological and behavioral impacts of catch and release management strategies on popular marine gamefish in southern California. Responsible for project development (grant writing, permit applications), field operations and logistics, deliverables, and supervision of research assistants. Conducted fish collection and surveys, blood/tissue collection and biochemical processing, telemetry (acoustic, electronic, conventional), and maintenance of acoustic receiver network. Responsible for data management, analyses, and producing written/oral communications for variety of science and non-science audiences. Contributed to projects evaluating spatial ecology and biology of various species, including leopard, horn, and white sharks, other marine fish species, green sea turtles, and abalone. Show less



Florida Museum of Natural History

• United States
• Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Research Technician

  • Dec 2012 - May 2014

  Worked in the Florida Program for Shark Research managing the development, organization, and analysis of the International Sawfish Encounter Database (ISED). Collaborated with international research groups and governments, fishing communities, and NGO’s to spread awareness of sawfish conservation status, benthic habitat loss, best practices, and management needs. Produced written and oral communications for science and non-science audiences, including a federal long-term management plan. Participated in numerous outreach and education activities. Assisted with protected species (smalltooth sawfish and shark) telemetry projects in southern Florida. Show less



U.S. Forest Service

• United States
• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Fisheries Technician

  • May 2012 - Dec 2012

  Worked as a Seasonal Invasive Fisheries Technician on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest. Conducted abundance and distribution surveys monitoring invasive fish and benthic invertebrate species throughout coastal watersheds. Contributed to habitat rehabilitation projects, salmon tagging and population monitoring with government collaborators. Awarded Type II Wilderness Firefighter certificate at Guard School in Sweet Home, OR . Deployed on 12 wildfires in Oregon, Utah, Montana, and Wyoming and assisted with controlled burns on RRS NF. Show less



University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Undergraduate Research Assistant

  • Sep 2008 - Mar 2012

  Conducted Honors Thesis project quantifying ontogenetic changes in myoglobin concentration in musclular tissues for several gamefish (roosterfish) and shark (blue, mako, thresher) species. Collected and processed tissue samples, performed fish dissections, and conducted biochemical analyses/gel electrophoresis. Defended thesis to Honors Committee. Conducted Honors Thesis project quantifying ontogenetic changes in myoglobin concentration in musclular tissues for several gamefish (roosterfish) and shark (blue, mako, thresher) species. Collected and processed tissue samples, performed fish dissections, and conducted biochemical analyses/gel electrophoresis. Defended thesis to Honors Committee.



James Cook University

• Australia
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Aide

  • Jul 2011 - Sep 2011

  Contributed to project evaluating the cross-shelf distribution, abundance, and inter-species competition of corals at Orpheus Island, QLD. Conducted diver surveys, photographed and identified coral species, and collected various biological/morphological data. Contributed to project evaluating the cross-shelf distribution, abundance, and inter-species competition of corals at Orpheus Island, QLD. Conducted diver surveys, photographed and identified coral species, and collected various biological/morphological data.



Rutgers University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Undergraduate Research Fellow

  • May 2010 - Sep 2010

  Research Experience for Undergraduates (National Science Foundation) Fellow at Rutgers University Marine Science Field Station. Evaluated the use of motion-activated acoustic transmitters for quantifying summer flounder commercial bycatch mortality. Conducted video analysis of captive flounder and acoustic telemetry/tracking of wild flounder in Great Bay estuary. Research Experience for Undergraduates (National Science Foundation) Fellow at Rutgers University Marine Science Field Station. Evaluated the use of motion-activated acoustic transmitters for quantifying summer flounder commercial bycatch mortality. Conducted video analysis of captive flounder and acoustic telemetry/tracking of wild flounder in Great Bay estuary.



U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Biological Science Technician

  • May 2009 - Aug 2009

  Stationed at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Contributed to abundance and distribution surveys for various coastal resources, including estuarine/benthic fishes, invertebrates, shore birds, and vegetation. Assisted with protected species population surveys and habitat conservation (e.g. piping plover), environmental monitoring, bat banding, habitat rehabilitation, and sediment sampling. Stationed at Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Contributed to abundance and distribution surveys for various coastal resources, including estuarine/benthic fishes, invertebrates, shore birds, and vegetation. Assisted with protected species population surveys and habitat conservation (e.g. piping plover), environmental monitoring, bat banding, habitat rehabilitation, and sediment sampling.

• Research Fellowship

  • Sep 2007 - Aug 2008

  American Fisheries Society Hutton Fellow at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Contributed to research evaluating age and growth, diet, and distribution of juvenile bluefish in the western Atlantic. Responsible for fish dissection, gut content, otolith processing/aging, and fisheries-independent catch data analysis. American Fisheries Society Hutton Fellow at University of Massachusetts Amherst. Contributed to research evaluating age and growth, diet, and distribution of juvenile bluefish in the western Atlantic. Responsible for fish dissection, gut content, otolith processing/aging, and fisheries-independent catch data analysis.



NOAA: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

• Government Administration
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Jun 2008 - Jul 2008

  Assisted on NOAA Benthic Fish/Shellfish Research Cruise on the R/V Delaware conducting trawl surveys of George's Bank area. Assisted research biologists and contributed to trawl operations, fish identification and biological sampling, environmental monitoring, sediment sampling, and assisted with analysis of catch and biological data. Assisted on NOAA Benthic Fish/Shellfish Research Cruise on the R/V Delaware conducting trawl surveys of George's Bank area. Assisted research biologists and contributed to trawl operations, fish identification and biological sampling, environmental monitoring, sediment sampling, and assisted with analysis of catch and biological data.



Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

• Research Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Research Assistant

  • Jun 2007 - Aug 2007

  Worked in the Marine Resources Center, Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory. Assisted with predator-prey interaction experiments, video analysis, and animal husbandry. Responsible for fish collection, sampling and dissection, gut content analysis, and otolith processing/aging of bluefish. Worked in the Marine Resources Center, Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory. Assisted with predator-prey interaction experiments, video analysis, and animal husbandry. Responsible for fish collection, sampling and dissection, gut content analysis, and otolith processing/aging of bluefish.