Experience


Skills and Certification

  • Registered Professional Biologist
  • St. John Ambulance Marine Advanced First Aid
  • Restricted Radio Operator - Marine Commercial
  • Marine Emergency Duties 2
  • Small Vessel Operator's Certificate
  • Open Water Diving certificate (PADI) and research diver training (UBC)
  • Computer skills - proficient with word processing, spread sheets, graphing and statistical packages, GIS, webpage design, graphics, video, and audio editing and processing, modelling, programming (numerous languages)
  • Read French
  • Class 5 B.C. Drivers License
  • Instruction Skills Workshop (post secondary teacher training)
  • PID 101 (Instructional and Curriculum Design)
  • Canoeing: flatwater levels I and II; moving water level III (tandem); flatwater instructor; Capilano College Canoe I program
  • CORE (Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Education)

Employment

Oceanographer - Pacific Salmon Foundation (2015)

  • engaged in PSF's Skeena Estuary Assessment project to provide expert opinion on the following:
    • Indicators, indicator groupings, and benchmarks;
    • Spatial delineations of the Skeena estuary;
    • Available datasets;
    • Review of available data and quality assessment;
    • Input on the assessment framework; and
    • Input on the monitoring framework.

Skeena River Estuary Assessment



Oceanographer - Prince Rupert Legacy Inc., City of Prince Rupert (2015)

  • acted as a community scientist to review the potential impacts of a proposed LNG project on the airshed and watershed in and around District Lot 444

District Lot 444



Oceanographer - UFAWU-CAW, T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation and the Prince Rupert Environmental Society (2013-2015)

  • research and report writing in response to the Environmental Impact Statement and the Draft Environmental Assessment Report for the BG LNG proposal for Ridley Island and the Pacific Northwest LNG proposal for Lelu Island

Flora Bank



Oceanographer - Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition and Skeena Wild Conservation Trust (2013-2015)

  • research, ArcGIS data analysis, report writing, and sensitive habitat map development on the Skeena River estuary habitat effects on juvenile salmon

Skeena estuary



Oceanographer - Marine Planning Partnership for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) (2012-2013)

  • reviewing draft documents and associated resource lists, and suggesting data sources and published/unpublished studies to improve the specificity and accuracy of the current conditions and trends for the North Coast sub-region
  • correcting and revising content in the North Coast base case document
  • drafting new content for the conditions and trends in the North Coast base case document
  • revising the Central Coast Current Conditions and Trend Report document

Marine Planning Partnership for the North Pacific Coast



Oceanographer - Ridley Terminals Inc. (2011-2013)

  • bathymetric mapping and side scan sonar survey of RTI's site in Prince Rupert Harbour
  • benthic video surveys of RTI's site in Prince Rupert Harbour

Canpotex terminal



Oceanographer - World Wildlife Fund (2011-2012)

  • towed video camera survey of 29 eelgrass beds around Chatham Sound

Lucy Island



Oceanographer - Mavi Innovations (2010-2012)

  • oceanographic modeling of tidal currents around Kaien Island using ROMS (Regional Ocean Modeling System)
  • measuring currents around Kaien Island using a shipboard acoustic doppler current profiler

Butze Rapids



Oceanographer - World Wildlife Fund/Mountain Equipment Coop Science Grant (2010-2011)

  • survey of the Lucy Islands' eelgrass bed using a towed benthic video camera system, a high definition drop camera, side-scan sonar, and multibeam sonar
  • beach seining to record species of small fish and mobile invertebrates using the eelgrass bed as habitat
  • comparison of the productivity of the Lucy Islands' eelgrass bed with other eelgrass beds, such as Flora Bank, in the Skeena River estuary region in order to better understand the relationships between global climate changes, changes in river flow and sedimentation patterns, and changes in eelgrass productivity
  • assessment of the damage caused to the Lucy Islands' eelgrass bed by the use of anchors during the course of recreational boater activities in the area
  • examination of the ecological relationship of the Lucy Islands' eelgrass bed to the Lucy Islands' role as an established IBA for rhinoceros auklets, pigeon guillemots, glaucous-winged gulls, and black oystercatchers

Lucy Island



United Fishermen and Allied Workers' Union - CAW (2011)

  • Literature review on potential impacts of oil on plankton and the planktonic larvae of commercial fisheries species

Plankton Review



Oceanographer - Stantec (Jacques Whitford Stantec AXYS Limited) (2008-2011)

  • benthic grab sampling for chemical analyses for the Canpotex - Ridley Island Potash Terminal Project
  • benthic video surveys and bathymetric mapping of for the Canpotex - Ridley Island Potash Terminal Project
  • benthic video and deep water drop camera surveys for the Canpotex Potash Terminal Project disposal at sea application
  • benthic grab sampling for chemical and macroinvertebrate analyses for the Canpotex Potash Terminal Project disposal at sea application
  • macroinvertebrate baseline study for the Canpotex Potash Terminal Project disposal at sea spplication

Canpotex terminal



Oceanographer - Herring Conservation and Research Society (2009-2010)

  • designed and carried out a series of experimental towed benthic video surveys and high definition drop camera surveys to assess herring spawn density on both the North and South Coast

Big Bay



Oceanographer - World Wildlife Fund (2008-2009)

  • survey of the Flora Bank eelgrass bed using a towed benthic video camera system and a side-scan sonar

Flora Bank



Professional Biologist (Environmental Assessment) - Keystone (2009)

  • benthic video surveys for the Klemtu B.C. Ferry Terminal Project
  • GIS mapping of organism distribution

Klemtu



Oceanographer - Rescan (2009)

  • plankton sample analysis (identification and enumeration of all species present) for Kitsault Project

Kitsault



Oceanographer - Rescan (2009)

  • benthic grab sampling and coring for chemical analyses at Ridley Island

Ridley Island



Oceanographer - Turning Point Initiatives/Blue Revolution Consulting Group Inc. (2008-2009)

  • CTD casts (temperature, depth, and salinity) and dissolved oxygen measurements at two sites in the Prince Rupert Harbour for 8 months as part of the Preliminary Scallop Hatchery Site Evaluation Project

Prince Rupert Harbour



Professional Biologist (Fish Scale Analysis) - AECOM (2008)

  • carried out fish scale analysis of bull trout from Wapati Pilot Project

Wapati River



Professional Biologist (Species Assessment) - Gitga’at Lands and Resources Stewardship Society (2008-2009)

  • carried out cockle and clam surveys at various sites within the Gitga’at Traditional Territory
  • designed and carried out mussel abundance and photographic biodiversity surveys at two sites within the Gitga’at Traditional Territory

Hartley Bay



Professional Biologist (Research) - North Coast-Skeena First Nations Stewardship Society (2008)

  • literature review and report - "Review of the Environmental and Socio-economic Impacts of Marine Pollution in the North and Central Coast Regions of British Columbia"
  • GIS mapping project associated with the report

North Coast



Professional Biologist (Environmental Assessment) - Golder Associates Ltd. (2007 - 2008)

  • benthic video surveys and bathymetric mapping for the Banks Island Wind Farm Project
  • benthic organism identification
  • GIS mapping of organism distribution and bottom topography

Banks Island Wind Farm Project



Graphic Design Artist - various small contracts (2006 - Present)

  • advertisements, posters, web page design, power point presentations, video and photo editing

Sea Storm Scienc and Technology Services logo



Oceanographer (Harmful Algal Bloom Studies) - Northcoast Water Quality and Biotoxin Program (2000 - 2009)

  • identified and enumerated both harmful and non-harmful algae in Northcoast waters
  • compared plankton studies with PSP results to ascertain the validity of plankton sampling as an early warning system for PSP
  • designed an educational HTML program for use by mariculture operators in identifying plankton

Phytoplankter



Oceanographer - Jacques Whitford (2007)

  • benthic grab sampling for chemical and benthic macroinvertebrate analyses for the Fairview Container Port Expansion Project

Fairview Container Port Expansion Project



Professional Biologist (Environmental Assessment) - Jacques Whitford (2007)

  • benthic video surveys of 1 site for the Enbridge Project
  • benthic organism identification
  • GIS mapping of organism distribution and diversity

Enbridge Project



Professional Biologist (Environmental Assessment) - Jacques Whitford (2007)

  • benthic video surveys of 2 sites for the Fairview Container Port Expansion Project
  • benthic organism identification
  • GIS mapping of organism distribution and diversity

Fairview Container Port Expansion Project



Oceanographer - Keystone Environmental Ltd. (2006)

  • benthic grab sampling for chemical and benthic macroinvertebrate analyses for the CN dock fire site and Aquatrain dock site

Prince Rupert docks



Professional Biologist (Environmental Assessment/Oceanographer) - Jacques Whitford (2006)

  • benthic video surveys of 1 site for the Westpac LNG Project
  • benthic grab sampling for chemical and benthic macroinvertebrate analyses
  • benthic organism identification
  • GIS mapping of organism distribution and diversity

Ridley Island



Professional Biologist (Environmental Assessment) - Jacques Whitford (2006)

  • eelgrass mapping of 3 sites for the Kitimat LNG Terminal Project
  • GIS mapping of eelgrass distribution and density
  • modeling of eelgrass distribution relative to depth and bottom hardness

Kitimat LNG Terminal Project



Professional Biologist (Habitat Specialist) - Coastal and Ocean Resources Inc. (2006)

  • biological observations for shoreline assessment survey of the Queen of the North diesel spill

Queen of the North sinking



Professional Biologist (Environmental Assessment) - Jacques Whitford (2006)

  • benthic video surveys of 1 site for the Enbridge Project
  • benthic organism identification
  • GIS mapping of organism distribution and diversity

Enbridge Project



Professional Biologist (Resource Study) - WorleyParsons Komex (2006)

  • marine resource study for the proposed Gingolx (Kincolith) sewage outfall designs

Kincolith



Professional Biologist (Resource Study) - WorleyParsons Komex (2006)

  • marine resource study for the feasibility study/conceptual design of the Metlakatla sewage outfall

Metlakatla



Instructor (Biology/Chemistry/ Oceanography) - Northwest Community College (1994-2006)

  • designed laboratory manuals and student study guides
  • developed second year Oceanography courses, including a course on marine pollution and water quality sampling techiques
  • instructed lecture and laboratory sections
  • developed a Coastal Integrated Resources Management Program for the Prince Rupert campus of Northwest Community College
  • designed and instructed online courses (including building a Linux server and developing software)

Northwest Community College



Professional Biologist (Habitat Specialist) - Ministry of Transportation (2001-2002)

  • performed a marine ecology assessment of proposed bridge crossing sites for the Digby Island/Tsimshian Peninsula Access Project

Digby Island/Tsimshian Peninsula Access Project



Navigator and Professional Biologist - Coastal and Ocean Resources Inc. (2000)

  • participated in the CORI aerial video surveys in the Prince Rupert area of the Northcoast
  • as a biologist, provided continuous biological commentary for the flight line and photographed representative sections of the shoreline
  • as a navigator, logged flight lines and photo numbers on map, directed pilot in flight line strategy, provided geographic reference points to the audio sound track of the video, and monitored the electronic mapping and logging system

CORI aerial video surveys



Professional Biologist (Habitat Specialist) - Archipelago Marine Research Ltd. (1998-1999)

  • worked as a subcontractor on the development of a fish habitat management plan for the Prince Rupert Harbour
  • performed field verification of airborne multispectral imaging of intertidal vegetation (Borstad)
  • involved in the development of habitat classification criteria, classification and mapping of habitat in the harbour, production of a final report, and public consultation

Prince Rupert Harbour fish habitat management plan



Oceanographer - Institute of Ocean Sciences (1998)

  • performed CTD casts and bongo plankton hauls in the Strait of Georgia and in various inlets along the west coast of B.C.

CCGS Vector



Oceanographer - UBC Access (Guided Independent Study at UBC) (1994-1998)

  • designed the course manual for the Oceanography 310 (oceanography for non-science students) distance education course offered by UBC Access
  • designed lesson plans, self-testing exercises, assignments, and exams
  • developed audiovisual aids (audiotape) as supplementary material for the course
  • tutored, graded, and made course revisions

UBC Access



Post-doctoral Position - Oceanography Department, UBC (1994)

  • worked for Drs. P.J.Harrison and R.J.Andersen
  • wrote papers based on research done during my Ph.D. degree
  • cultured dinoflagellates
  • performed preliminary studies on feeding deterrents produced by several species of dinoflagellates
  • studied the feeding deterrent effects of several phycotoxins involved in shellfish poisoning

UBC Department of Oceanography



Laboratory Technician - Norwest Soil Research Ltd. (1988)

  • worked for Dr. T.F. Guthrie on an industrial N.S.E.R.C. grant
  • performed analysis of macro-, micro-, and trace elements in soil and tissue samples
  • developed a new technique for determination of organic and inorganic carbon in soils using a Leco carbon analyzer
  • worked on urea analysis using an enzymatic method
  • "debugged" new analytical techniques to be used in the lab



Research Assistant - Chemistry Department, UBC (1987)

  • worked for Dr. M.W. Blades on an N.S.E.R.C. grant
  • performed computer modeling of an ICP torch for various elements
  • programmed computers in Pascal
  • performed calculations for paper entitled "The electronic partition functions of lanthanide atoms and ions between 1500 K and 8000 K"

UBC Chemistry Department



Research Assistant - Chemistry Department, UBC (1986)

  • worked for Dr. Dutton on a N.S.E.R.C. grant
  • purified carbohydrates using gel exclusion chromatography and phenol extraction techniques
  • conducted carbohydrate analysis using mass spectroscopy, H1nmr, C13nmr, gas chromatography, and carbohydrate cleavage reactions
  • grew and purified strains of E. coli
  • isolated strains of E. coli bacteriophage from sewage
  • purified capsular polysaccharide from E. coli cells

Offices Held

  • Board Member of Transition Prince Rupert (2014)
  • Board Member/Editor of the Association of Professional Biology (2013-2014)
  • Vice President/Editor of the Association of Professional Biology (2011-2013)
  • Board Member/Editor of the Association of Professional Biology (2010-2011)
  • Board Member of the Northwest Science and Innovation Society (2007-2010)
  • Advisory Committee Member for the City of Prince Rupert Liquid Waste Management Plan (2007)
  • Steering Committee Member, Northcoast Biotoxins and Water Quality Program Society (2005-2007)
  • Board Member, Tidepool Natural History Discovery Society (2005)
  • Board Member, Northcoast Biotoxins and Water Quality Program Society (2000-2005)
  • Treasurer, Northcoast Shellfish and Mariculture Association (1998)
  • Board Member, Northwest Maritime Institute (1995-1997)

Activities and Interests

  • bike touring, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, rock-climbing, mountaineering, SCUBA diving
  • creative writing, drawing, photography, celtic art forms
  • gardening
  • music: woodwinds and guitar