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  • Theresa Venello

    Senior Oceanographer

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    Theresa Venello is a Biological Oceanographer specializing in pelagic marine ecosystem responses to climate change. Her work prior to joining Applied Marine Sciences (AMS) included investigating planktonic crustacean physiological responses to ocean acidification in Polar regions as well as zooplankton community responses to the 2015 Marine Heatwave event in the NE Pacific known as “The Blob”. Theresa also used a functional assessment approach to examine changes in ecological roles of zooplankton species over a 30-year time frame. She has extensive fieldwork experience, logging 120+ days at sea from 2015-2018 working closely with Fisheries and Oceans Canada on their North Pacific Oceanographic and Zooplankton Monitoring Programs. Additionally, Theresa has worked on coastal survey projects looking at predator-prey dynamics between gray whales and plankton prey as well as Atlantic Harbor seals and seasonal fish species. Theresa is proficient in R, as well as time series and multivariate statistical analysis. She has 4 publications in respected marine science journals and has presented her research at international scientific conferences. Theresa earned a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from the University of Victoria, a M.Res. in Marine Biology from the University of Plymouth and a B.S. in Marine Science from Stockton University.

    Certifications

    • Boating Safety Course (Delaware, 2021)
    • Protected Species Observer/Passive Acoustic Monitor -PAMGUARD (2014)
    • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (2013)
    • PADI Drysuit Diver (2013)
    • PADI Open Water Diver (2009)

    Publications

    • Stevens, C.J., Sahota, R., Galbraith, M.D., Venello, T.A., Bazinet, A., Hennekes, M., Yongblah, K., Juniper, S.K. (2022). Lipid composition of mesozooplankton functional group members in the NE Pacific over a range of productivity regimes. Marine Ecology Progress Series. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps14004.
    • Venello, T.A., A.R. Sastri, K.D. Suchy, M.D. Galbraith, and J.F. Dower. (2021). Drivers of variation in crustacean zooplankton production rates differ across regions off the west coast of Vancouver Island and in the subarctic NE Pacific. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsab236.
    • Venello, T.A., Sastri, A.R., Galbraith, M.D., Dower, J.F. (2021). Zooplankton Functional Group Responses to Environmental Drivers off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Canada. Progress in Oceanography. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2020.102482.
    • Venello, T.A., Calosi, P., Turner, L.M., Findlay, H.S. (2018). Overwintering individuals of the Arctic krill Thysanoessa inermis appear tolerant to short-term exposure to low pH conditions. Polar Biology, 41: 341. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-017-2194-0.

    Applied Marine Sciences, Inc.

    October 4, 2022
  • Diane Stafford

    Senior Administrative Assistant

    At AMS, Diane Stafford specializes in the set-up and creation of detailed invoices tailored to meet client needs and performs monthly invoicing and accounts receivables. Diane is proficient in MS Excel and Word, and uses such to prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting. She also handles insurance and compliance, expense reimbursements, business licensing and permits, logistics for field planning, equipment procurement and management. Diane has a B.S. in Business administration Finance and Economics from Heald College.

    Applied Marine Sciences, Inc.

    October 4, 2022
  • Robert Spies

    Senior Scientist, Principal

    Bob Spies has 35 years experience in applied marine ecology and its application to management. He has investigated the fate and effects of radionuclides, petroleum hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydrocarbons in marine ecosystems. Specific research projects conducted over his career have included investigations into the effects of organic contaminants on endocrinology and reproduction of starry flounder in San Francisco Bay and kelp bass in southern California, alterations of benthic communities by petroleum seepage, and benthic-pelagic transfer of contaminants in marine foodwebs, to name just a few. Bob has also coordinated or assisted in the management of large restoration and conservation programs for agencies at all levels. Major tasks undertaken included serving as Chief Science Advisor to governments on the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Restoration Program, advisor to the Calfed Program to restore aquatic ecosystem functions in the Central Valley of California, and Director of the Alaska SeaLife Center, which is dedicated to studying the causes of decline in North Pacific marine mammal and bird populations.

    Publications

    • Spies RB, Burns, KA. and Mukhtasor M, 2017, The Montara Oil Spill: A 2009 well blowout in the Timor Sea. Archiv. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 73(1):55-62
    • Spies RB, Senner S, and Robbins CS, 2016, An overview of the northern Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. Gulf of Mexico Science. 33: 98-121.
    • Spies RB, Peterson, C, and 20 other co-authors. 2012, A tale of two spills: Novel science and policy implications of an emerging new oil spill model, Bioscience 62: 461-469.
    • Kondolf GM, Angermeier PL, Cummins K, Dunne T, Healey M, Kimmerer W, Moyle PB, Murphy D, Patten D, Railsback S, Reed DJ, Spies RB, Twiss R, 2008, Projecting cumulative benefits of multiple river restoration projects: An example from the Sacramento-San Joaquin river system in California, Environ. Manag. 42: 933-945.
    • Oros, DR, Ross JRM, Spies RB and Mumley T, 2007, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in San Francisco Bay: A 10-year retrospective of monitoring in an urbanized estuary. Environ. Res. 105: 101-118.
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    • Thompson, B., et al.,2006, Biological effects of anthropogenic contaminants in the San Francisco Estuary. Environ. Res. 105: 145-155.
    • Spies RB. (editor/author) 2006, Long-term ecological change in the northern Gulf of Alaska. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 589 pp. (several chapters written by R. Spies).
    • Mundy PR, and Spies RB, 2005, Introduction, pp. 1-14, in The Gulf of Alaska. Biology and Oceanography, Alaska Sea Grant Publication, Fairbanks Alaska, 214 pp.
    • Spies RB and Thomas P, 1997, Reproductive and endocrine status of mature female kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus from a contaminated site in the Southern California Bight and estrogen receptor binding of DDTs, Chapter 9, in Chemically-induced alterations in functional development and reproduction of fishes, R.M. Rolland, M. Gilbertson and R.E. Peterson (Eds.) Society of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Technical Publication Series, SETAC Press, Pensacola, Fl.
    • Gunther AJ, Spies RB, Stegeman JJ, Woodin B, Carney D, Oakden J, and Hain L, 1997. EROD activity as an independent measure of contaminant-induced mortality of invertebrates in sediment bioassays. Mar. Environ. Res. 44:41-49.
    • Spies RB, Rice SD, Wolfe DA, and Wright BA, 1996, The effects of the Exxon Valdez Oil spill on the Alaskan Coastal environment, pp. 1-16, in: Rice, S.D.,Spies RB, D.A. Wolfe, and B.A. Wright (Eds.) Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Proceedings, Anchorage, Alaska, 2-5 February 1993. American Fisheries Society Symposium No. 18.
    • Spies RB, Thomas P, and Matsui M, 1996. Effects of DDT and PCB on reproductive endocrinology of Paralabrax clathratus in southern California. Mar. Environ. Res. 42, 175-176. (abstract)
    • Spies RB, Stegeman JJ, Hinton DE, Woodin B, Okihiro M, Smolowitz R, and Shea D, 1996, Biomarkers of hydrocarbon exposure and sublethal effects in embiotocid fishes from a natural petroleum seep in the Santa Barbara Channel. Aquatic Toxicol. 34:195-219.
    • Spies RB. 1995, Restoring Prince William Sound. Science 269, 1328-1329. (letter)
    • Rice DW, Seltenrich CB, Keller ML, Spies RB, and Felton JS, 1994, Mixed-function oxidase-specific activity in wild and caged speckled sandabs Citharichtys stigmaeus in Elkhorn Slough. Environ. Poll. 84, 179-188.
    • Spies RB, 1993, So why can’t science tell us more about the effects of the Exxon Valdez oil spill ?, pp. 1-5, In: Exxon Valdez oil spill symposium, EVOS Trustee Council, Anchorage Alaska.
    • Rice DW, Seltenrich CP, Keller ML, Spies RB, Felton JS, 1993, Seasonal and annual distribution of organic contaminants in marine sediments from Elkhorn Slough, Moss Landing Harbor and nearshore Monterey Bay, California. Environmental Pollution 82: 79-91.
    • Anderson JW, Reish DJ, Spies RB, Brady ME, and Segelhors EW, 1993, Human impacts, pp. 682-766, In: Ecology of the Southern California Bight (M.D. Daily, J.W. Anderson, and D.J. Reish, eds.) University of California Press, Berkeley, 926 pp.
    • Melanacon MJ, Alscher R, Benson W, Kruzynski G, Lee RF, Sikka HC, Spies RB, 1992, Metabolic products as biomarkers, In: Biomarkers: Biochemical, physiological and hstological markers of anthropogenic stress (Huggett et al., Eds) Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton, Florida.
    • Bauer JE, Spies RB, Vogel JS, Nelson DE, and Southon JR, 1990, Radiochemical evidence of fossil hydrocarbon cycling in sediments of a nearshore hydrocarbon seep. Nature 348, 230-232.
    • Spies RB, Stegeman JJ, Rice Jr. DW, Woodin B, Thomas P, Hose JE, Cross J, and Prieto M, 1990, Sublethal responses of Platichthys stellatus to organic contamination in San Francisco Bay with emphasis on reproduction, pp. 87-122, in Biological Markers of Environmental Contamination. Lewis Publishers, Chelsea, Michigan .
    • Spies RB, Rice Jr. DW, Thomas PJ, Stegeman JJ, Cross JN, and Hose JE, 1989, A field test for correlates of poor reproductive success and genetic damage in contaminated populations of starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus. Mar. Environ. Res. 28: 542-543.
    • Spies RB, Kruger H, Ireland R, Rice Jr. DW 1989, Stable isotope isotope ratios and contaminant concentrations in a sewage-distorted food web, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 54, 157-170.
    • Spies RB, Bauer JE, and Hardin DH, 1989, A stable isotope study of sedimentary carbon utilization by Capitella spp.: effects of two carbon sources and geochemical conditions during their diagenesis, Mar. Biol. 101: 68-74.
    • Spies RB, Hardin DH, Toal JP,. 1989, Organic enrichment or toxicity? A comparison of the effects of kelp and crude oil in sediments on the colonization and growth of benthic infauna, J. Exp. Mar. Ecol. 124, 261-282.
    • Phillips DJH, and Spies, RB, 1988, Chlorinated hydrocarbons in the San Francisco estuarine ecosystem, Mar. Poll. Bull. 19, 445-453.
    • Bauer JE, Montagna, PA, Spies RB, Hardin DH, Prieto M, 1988, Microbial biogeochemistry and heterotrophy in sediments of a marine hydrocarbon seep, Limnol. Oceanogr. 33, 1493-1513.
    • Spies RB, Rice Jr. DW, 1988, The effects of organic contaminants on reproduction of starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus (Pallas) in San Francisco Bay. Part II. Reproductive success of fish captured in San Francisco Bay and spawned in the laboratory, Mar. Biol. 98, 191-202.
    • Spies RB, Rice Jr. DW, Felton JW, 1988, The effects of organic contaminants on reproduction of starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus (Pallas) in San Francisco Bay. Part I. Hepatic contamination and mixed-function oxidase (MFO) activity during the reproductive season, Mar. Biol. 98, 181-189.
    • Melzian, BD, Zoffma C, Spies RB, 1987, Chlorinated hydrocarbons in lower continental shelf fish collected near the Farallon Islands, California, Mar. Poll. Bull. 18, 388-393.
    • 1987 P.A. Montagna, J.E. Bauer, J. Toal, D.H. Hardin and Spies RB. Temporal variability and the relationship between benthic meiofaunal and microbial populations in a natural coastal petroleum seep, J. Mar. Res . 45, 761-789.
    • Spies RB, B. Andresen and D.W. Rice, Jr. 1987, Benzthiazoles in estuarine sediments as indicators of street runoff, Nature 327: 697-699.
    • Spies RB, 1987, The biological effects of petroleum hydrocarbons in the sea: Assessments from field and microcosms, pp. 411-467 in: Long-term environmental effects of offshore oil and gas development. D.F. Boesch and N.N. Rabalais, Eds. Elsevier-Applied Sciences, London.
    • Montagna PA, Bauer JE, Prieto MC, Hardin DH, and Spies RB, 1986, Benthic metabolism in a natural coastal petroleum seep, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., 34, 31-40.
    • Montagna PA and Spies RB, 1985, Meiofauna and chlorophyll associated with Beggiatoa mats of a natural submarine petroleum seeps, Mar. Environ. Res. 16, 231-242.
    • Spies RB, 1984, Benthic-pelagic coupling in sewage affected ecosystems, Mar. Environ. Res. 13, 195-230.
    • Spies RB and DesMarais DJ, 1983, Natural isotope study of trophic enrichment of marine benthic communities by petroleum seepage, Mar. Biol. 73, 67-71. Steurmer DH, Spies RB, Davis PH, Ng DJ, Morris, CJ, and Neal S, 1982, The hydrocarbon chemistry of the Isla Vista Marine Seep Environment, Mar. Chem. 11, 413-426.
    • Spies RB, Felton JS, and Dillard LJ, 1982, Hepatic mixed-function oxidases in California flatfish are increased in contaminated environments and by oil and PCB ingestion. Mar. Biol. 70, 117-127.
    • Spies RB and Davis PH, 1982, Toxicity of Santa Barbara seep oil to starfish embryos. III. Influence of parental exposure and the effects of other crude oils, Mar. Environ. Res. 6, 3-11.
    • Steurmer DH, Spies RB and Davis PH, 1981, Toxicity of Santa Barbara seep oil to starfish embryos. I. Hydrocarbon composition of test solutions and field samples, Mar. Environ. Res. 5, 275-286.
    • Spies RB, Marsh K, Kercher JR, 1981, Dynamics of radionuclide exchange in the calcareous algae Halimeda at Enewetak Atoll, Limnol. Oceanogr. 26, 74-85.
    • Davis PH, and Spies RB, 1980, Infaunal benthos of a natural petroleum seep: a study of community structure, Mar. Biol. 59, 31-41. Spies RB, Davis PH, Stuermer D, 1980, Ecology of a petroleum seep off the California coast. in Marine Environmental Pollution (R. Geyer, Ed.). Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 229-263.
    • Spies RB, 1975, Structure and function of the head of flabelligerid polychaetes, J. Morph . 147, 187-208.
    See Robert Spies’ featured documents

    Applied Marine Sciences, Inc.

    October 4, 2022
  • Erika Senyk

    Marine/Aquatic Scientist

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    Erika Senyk is a Marine/Aquatic Scientist at Applied Marine Sciences (AMS) assisting in projects including water quality assessments and quantifying the impacts of marine plastics in local marine environments. She has over seven years of experience managing and performing field studies in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. She measured nutrient levels and performed water and soil quality assessments in urban and rural lakes, streams, rivers, and wetlands in Minnesota, as well as in coastal areas of the Monterey Bay region. Prior to her employment with AMS, Erika conducted a two-year study as a research technician for California State Parks, measuring the impact of a growing visitor population on marine birds and mammals at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. She has extensively researched the environmental impacts of marine plastics, as well as current technological advances being used to mitigate the issue. Erika has experience in managing large databases for both local and remote projects, and she developed educational programs to inspire environmental stewardship in underserved communities in St. Paul, Minnesota, as well as in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties. Erika received a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and a M.S. in Applied Marine and Watershed Science from California State University Monterey Bay.

    Certifications

    • Qualified Industrial Stormwater Practitioner (California, 2022)
    • Reef Check EcoDiver (Caribbean, 2017)
    • BoatU.S. Foundation’s Boating Safety Course (California, 2015)
    • PADI Open Water Diver (2014)

    Applied Marine Sciences, Inc.

    October 4, 2022
  • Paul Salop

    Senior Scientist, Principal

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    Paul Salop has over 15 years of experience working for consulting firms and state and Federal agencies. Paul is currently serving as Project Manager for AMS in its role supporting the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program’s (ACCWP) stormwater monitoring and watershed management efforts, managing all field collection efforts and field quality control for the Status and Trends Component of the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in the San Francisco Estuary, investigating TMDL pollutant reduction implementation options for an EPA Grant Project, and receiving water monitoring for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to inform modeling efforts and infrastructure upgrades. Paul manages quality assurance for AMS and has served as Quality Assurance Officer on multiple projects, including ones conducted for both federal (e.g., EPA) and State agencies (e.g., California State Prop 13 and Prop 50 grant projects). Paul has an MS in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University and a BS in Industrial Engineering from North Carolina State University.

    Certifications

    • American Academy of Underwater Scientists (2021)
    • NAUI Diver First Aid (2021)
    • PADI Drysuit Diver (2004)
    • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver (1993)
    • PADI Open Water Diver (1991)
    • Engineer in Training (North Carolina, 1989)
    See Paul Salop’s featured documents

    Applied Marine Sciences, Inc.

    October 4, 2022
  • Aroon Melwani

    Senior Scientist, Principal

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    Aroon Melwani is a senior marine scientist specializing in experimental design, sample collection, and quantitative analysis of environmental data. He has over 16 years experience supporting local, regional and state agencies on sediment and water quality, contaminant bioaccumulation, and biological assessments. His technical expertise includes data management, statistical analysis, data integration, empirical modeling, and R programming.

    Aroon has collaborated with scientists, policy makers, and environmental managers on the design and optimization of several major environmental programs, including regional and statewide bioaccumulation monitoring surveys, the San Francisco Bay and Delta RMPs, and sediment quality studies at the regional and state level. Aroon is also highly experienced in sampling designs based on EPA’s Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified (GRTS) method for ambient condition assessments. Aroon has both implemented the GRTS method, as well assisted in the interpretation of probabilistic data for water quality and habitat evaluations at the regional scale. Aroon received a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from Macquarie University, an M.S. in Marine Science from California State University at Monterey Bay, and a B.S. in Oceanography and Marine Biology from the University of Southampton.

    Certifications

    • PADI Open Water Diver (1997)

    Publications

    • Melwani. A.R., Negrey, J., Heim, W.A., Coale, K.H., Stephenson, M.D., and Davis, J.A. 2019. Factors influencing methylmercury contamination of black bass from California reservoirs, Environmental Pollution 251: 850-861
    • Goncalves, P., Anderson, K., Thompson, E.L., Melwani, A.R., Parker, L., Ross, P.M., Raftos, D.A. 2016. Rapid transcriptional acclimation following transgenerational exposure of oysters to ocean acidification, Molecular Ecology 25(19): 4836-49.
    • Raftos, D.A., Melwani, A.R., Haynes, P.A., Muralidharan, S., Birch, G.F., Amaral, V., Thompson, E.L., Taylor, D. 2016. The Biology of Environmental Stress: Molecular biomarkers in Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata), Environmental Science: Processes and Impacts 18: 1129-1139.
    • Melwani, A.R., Thompson, E.L., Raftos, D.A. 2016. Differential proteomic response of Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) to prolonged environmental stress, Aquatic Toxicology 173: 53-62.
    • Green, T. J., Chataway, T., Melwani, A. R., Raftos, D. A. 2016. Proteomic analysis of hemolymph from poly (I:C)-stimulated Crassostrea gigas. Fish & Shellfish Immunology 48: 39-42.
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    • Anderson, K., Taylor, D.A., Thompson, E.L., Melwani, A. R., Nair, S.V., Raftos, D.A. 2015. Meta-analysis of studies using Suppression Subtractive Hybridization and Microarrays to investigate the effects of environmental stress on gene transcription in oysters, PLoS ONE 10(1): e0118839.
    • Birch, G., Melwani, A.R., Lee, J., Apostolatos, C. 2014. The discrepancy in concentration of metals (Cu, Pb and Zn) in oyster tissue (Saccostrea glomerata) and ambient bottom sediment (Sydney estuary, Australia). Marine Pollution Bulletin 80(1-2): 263-274.
    • Greenfield, B.K., Melwani, A.R., Bay, S. 2014. A tiered assessment framework to evaluate human health risk of contaminated sediment, Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 11(3): 459-473.
    • Melwani, A.R., Gregorio, D., Jin, Y., Stephenson, M., Ichikawa, G., Siegel, E., Crane, D., Lauenstein, G. Davis, J.A. 2014. Mussel Watch Update: Long-term trends in selected contaminants from coastal California, 1977- 2010 Marine Pollution Bulletin 81(2): 291-302.
    • Thompson, B., Ranasinghe, J.A. Lowe, S., Melwani, A.R., Weisberg, S.B. 2013. Benthic macrofaunal assemblages of the San Francisco Estuary and Delta, USA Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 185: 2281-2295.
    • Greenfield, B.K., Melwani, A.R., Allen, R.M., Slotton, D.G., Ayers, S.M., Harrold, K.H., Ridolfi, K., Jahn, A., Grenier, J.L., Sandheinrich, S.B. 2013, Seasonal and annual trends in forage fish mercury concentrations, San Francisco Bay, Science of the Total Environment 444: 591-601.
    • Thompson, B., Weisberg S.B., Melwani, A.R., Lowe, S. Ranasinghe, J.A., Cadien D.B., Dauer D.M., Diaz, R.J., Fields, W., Kellogg, M., Montagne, D.E., Ode, P.R., Reish, D.J., Slattery, P.N. 2012. Low levels of agreement among experts using best professional judgment to assess mesohaline and limnetic benthic macrofaunal condition in the San Francisco Estuary. Ecological Indicators 12: 167-173.
    • Melwani, A.R., Greenfield, B.K., Byron, E.R. 2009. Empirical estimation of biota exposure range for calculation of bioaccumulation parameters. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management. 5: 128-139.
    • Melwani, A.R., Bezalel, S.N., Hunt, J.A., Grenier, J.L., Davis, J.A. 2009. Spatial trends and impairment assessment of mercury in fish from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed. Environmental Pollution. 157: 3137-49.
    • Melwani A.R, Kim S.L. 2008. Benthic infaunal distributions in shallow hydrothermal vent sediments. Acta Oecologica. 33(2): 162-75.
    See Aroon Melwani’s featured documents

    Applied Marine Sciences, Inc.

    October 4, 2022
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