Professional Summary
I am a seasoned Oceanography Professional with 20+ years of scientific research and program management experience in marine science. Recognized for demonstrating a natural aptitude for team leadership, as well as for field research and biology. Professional focal points include oceanography, field operations, research and analysis, program management, presentations, laboratory operations, health and safety, training and development, and logistics. Exceptionally dedicated professional with keen interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, as well as team collaboration, process enhancement, and project coordination expertise.
Professional Experience
- Manage all aspects of Hawaii Ocean Time-series (HOT) and Simons Collaboration for Ocean Processes and Ecology (SCOPE) field operations and science technicians.
- Direct and oversee regular field-based oceanographic research cruises, including full responsibilities of Chief Scientist.
- Collaborate with HOT and SCOPE principal investigators regarding operations management, personnel management, logistical planning, and organization of science support and field operations.
- Orchestrate and conduct regular logistics meetings with the goal of enhancing HOT- SCOPE personnel communication and coordination of science and field logistics.
- Compose written reports as well as travel to and present findings at conferences and workshops.
- Monitor and maintain research laboratories at UH Mānoa and UH Marine Center. Retain all duties as listed below for SCOPE Field Operations Coordinator and C-MORE Hale Laboratory Manager.
- Coordinate, delegate, and supervise SCOPE field operations and technicians during research cruises.
- Contribute to continual field based oceanographic research cruises, including serving as Chief Scientist.
- Coordinate with SCOPE principal investigators, SCOPE project scientists, and HOT principal investigators regarding operations and personnel management, logistics, and direction for science support and field operations.
- Schedule and oversee logistics meetings to bridge communication and coordination between SCOPE and HOT programs, delineate operation outcomes, and strategize on future scientific field logistics.
- Execute chemical and microbiological analyses utilizing standard protocols while working independently to develop new or improved methods.
- Accomplish all requirements detailed below for C-MORE Hale Laboratory Manager.
- Chart successful course of development while overseeing the Center for Microbial Oceanography: Research and Education (C-MORE) laboratories
- Advance laboratory organization, ensuring more than 60 personnel, including principal investigators, students, post-docs, and technicians, adhere to appropriate laboratory and safety policies.
- Integrate and monitor operations for laboratory health, hazmat, radiation, and safety requirements.
- Preserve laboratory equipment, chemical, freezer, and instrumentation inventories, certifying all are in proper working condition
- Train, guide, and mentor all new personnel
- Liaise with collaborators on the U.S. mainland and at foreign universities.
- Delivered field and laboratory support for ongoing microbial and oceanographic research projects in partnership with C-MORE and HOT.
- Spearheaded the experimental research data collection of biogeochemical and microbiological samples throughout research cruises.
- Organized and conducted comprehensive chemical and microbiological analyses employing standard protocols, working independently to develop new and/or enhance existing methods.
- Originated, developed, and commenced independent research projects related to ongoing programs.
- Organized, directed, and oversaw interns and project personnel.
- Certified laboratories at UH Mānoa and UH Marine Center were clean and prepared for use.
- Operated as guide and deck crew on a cruise between Ushuaia, Argentina, Antarctica, South Georgia, Tristan Da Cunha, and Cape Town, South Africa for a total of 7,432 nautical miles.
- Authored and presented lectures on board in Oceanography and topics related to the Southern Ocean, Antarctica, and plankton ecology.
- Designed and conducted hands-on educational activities, including plankton tows and wildlife site visits.
- Facilitated the coordination of zodiac tours and landings ashore, such as hiking excursions, historical site exploration, and wildlife viewing.
- Accomplished all sail handling, sail training, deck operations, and maintenance.
- Provided significant field and laboratory support for continual oceanographic research within the HOT Program
- Calibrated, maintained, and operated oceanographic field sampling equipment and instrumentation.
- Designed, coordinated, and contributed to monthly five-day oceanographic research cruises.
- Synthesized, scrutinized, and interpreted biogeochemical and microbiological analyses.
- Organized and readied the field laboratory at UH Mānoa and UH Marine Center.
- Instructed high school, undergraduate, and graduate students regarding the operation of oceanographic field sampling equipment and routine chemical and microbiological analyses performed in HOT.
- Ascertained complex biological data from Pacific Halibut aboard research vessels in the Gulf of Alaska.
- Garnered and evaluated detailed and accurate fishing records from commercial fishers.
- Completed assignments associated with the gathering of biological and statistical data.
- Served as key de-briefer for the Hawaii longline observer program, with accountability for ensuring quality data were collected and recorded accurately from the fishery.
- Presided over the training and guidance of new observers and de-briefers.
- Verified the accuracy of protected species data and sample collection.
- Observed and assessed observer computer data entry and editing routines, making recommendations for improvement where possible.
- Conducted in-depth vessel safety orientations to assure compliance to all safety standards.
- Functioned as crew member on multiple sail training trips between New York, NY and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
- Operated as watch officer, responsible for sail handling and navigation as well as the safety of the ship and its passengers.
- Educated students ages 8-65 through basic seamanship, navigation, and vessel safety procedures.
- Achieved measurable success as the ship’s safety and navigation officer, inspecting the ship’s emergency and safety equipment and updating navigational charts with appropriate corrections.
- Observed and recorded data while aboard commercial pelagic longline fishing vessels targeting swordfish and tuna.
- Garnered detailed data regarding vessel activity, fishing operations, and incidental interactions with protected species, such as sea turtles, marine mammals, and sea birds within an independent and self-supervised environment.
- Measured and tallied all fish that were caught while documenting data on fishing efforts.
- Logged measurements and attached satellite transmitters to the carapace of incidentally caught live sea turtles
- Extracted DNA tissue samples from sea turtles, sharks, and marine mammals.
Licenses and Certifications
- United States Coast Guard 100 ton Near Coastal Masters License. (February 2017)
- Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC). (February 2017)
- United States Coast Guard small boat handling certification. (May 1999)
- PADI advanced open water SCUBA diving certification. (May 1999)
- CPR and First Aid Certification. (October 2014)
- RCUH Employee of the Year Finalist (2018
- Art of Leadership Certificate, University of Hawaii (November, 2016)
- University of Hawaii Laboratory safety, hazardous waste, biological safety and radiation safety training. (January 2013)
- University of Hawaii Marine Center forklift operation training. (January 2003)