Jonathan P. Williams, M.S.

EDUCATION

M.S. in Biology, California State University, Northridge, August 2006
Thesis: The relationship between El Nino/Southern Oscillation events and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) in the Southern California Bight from 1997 to 2004.

B.S. in Marine Biology, Chemistry minor, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 2002

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Studies of age and growth of marine fishes
• Faunal breaks
• Characterizing the effects of Marine Protected Areas
• Ichthyoplankton settlement patterns
• Characterization of fish assemblages
• Otolith abnormalities (aragonite replaced by vaterite)

RESEARCH SUPPORT

• CSUN Graduate Equity Fellowship (2005-06), Otolith structure and the age and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis), $1500
• CSUN/GRIP Graduate Thesis Support (2005), Age, growth and determination of growth rings of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) (age class I-IV) using multiple analyses of saggital otoliths, $800
• CSUN Graduate Equity Fellowship (2004-05), The effects of cross-sectional density on the survival of spotted sand bass (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus) larvae in the laboratory, $1000

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Occidental College (2007) - Adjunct Instructor

• Oceanology; course provides an introduction to marine sciences to rising high school seniors for full college credit

California State University, Northridge (2003-2006)

• General Biology Laboratory (Teaching Associate)
• Biological Principles I Laboratory  (Teaching Associate)
• Biological Principles II Laboratory (Teaching Associate)
• Life in the Sea (Graduate Assistant)
• Pelagic Organisms (Graduate Assistant)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
(funding sources italicized)

Bight '08: Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 2008 Regional Survey Field Sampling and Laboratory Analyses Project (2008-present)
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP)

• Otter trawls between 20-500 m in the Santa Barbara Channel and near Oceanside

Monitoring and Research of the Rocky Reef Resources in Santa Monica Bay (2008-present)
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission (SMBRC)

• Dive transects between 5 m and 30 m using SCUBA at ~75 sites near Malibu, Palos Verdes, Los Angeles Harbor, Santa Catalina Island, San Nicolas Island and San Clemente Island
• Identification and size/density estimation of fish, invertebrates, and algae along 30 m transects using CRANE methods

Ichthyoplankton of King Harbor, Redondo Beach, California (2006-present)
Previous funding by: Water Intake Structure Environmental Research (WISER), California Energy Commission

• Diel benthic, midwater, and surface plankton tows
• Operation of 17', 18', 26' and 28' vessels

Investigation of Life History Parameters of Common Nearshore Marine Fishes (2006-present)
Previous funding by: Water Intake Structure Environmental Research (WISER), California Energy Commission

• Dive transects to 18 m using SCUBA inside King Harbor and near Rocky Point, Palos Verdes Peninsula
• Aging of larval white croaker (Genyonemus lineatus) and spotfin croaker (Roncador stearnsii)
• Aging of juvenile and adult queenfish (Seriphus politus) and spotfin croaker (Roncador stearnsii)
• Operation of 28’ vessel

Receiving Water Monitoring and Reporting Program (2006-present)
Chevron Products Company, El Seguno Refinery

• Water quality testing using hydrocast data obtained by Sea-Bird oceanographic profiler
• Water sampling using Niskin bottles for the purpose of chemistry and bacteria analyses
• Sediment sampling using Van Veen grabs for the purpose of chemistry, grain size, and toxicity analyses
• Sediment sampling using diver cores for the purpose of infaunal analyses
• Operation of 28’ vessel

Website Development and Maintenance (2004-Present)

• Vantuna Research Group at Occidental College (2008-present)
• Nearshore Marine Fish Research Program (2004-2007)
• CSUN Marine Biology Graduate Student Association (2004-2007)

Least Tern Foraging Study (2008-2009)
United States Navy

• Determination of forage fish prey size and species via otolith analysis

Fisheries Inventory and Utilization Study in San Diego Bay (2005, 2008, 2009)
Unified Port of San Diego

• Beam and otter trawls
• Beach and purse seines

Rocky Reef Resources of the Port of Los Angeles (2008-2009)
Port of Los Angeles

• Dive transects between 3 m and 25 m using SCUBA at 13 sites in the Port of Los Angeles and Horseshoe Kelp areas
• Identification and size/density estimation of fish, invertebrates, and algae along 30 m transects using CRANE methods

Assessment of Subtidal Rocky Reef Resources in Santa Monica Bay (2007-2008)
Santa Monica Bay Restoration Commission (SMBRC)

• Dive transects between 5 m and 30 m using SCUBA at 86 sites in Los Angeles County
• Identification and size/density estimation of fish, invertebrates, and algae along 30 m transects using CRANE methods

Determination of Fish Assemblages in Morro Bay, CA (2006-2008)
San Luis Obispo Science and Ecosystem Alliance (SLOSEA)

• Beam and otter trawls
• Beach and purse seines
• Operation of 18’ vessel

White Seabass Gill Net Sampling Program (2003-2006)
Ocean Resource Enhancement and Hatchery Program (OREHP), California Department of Fish and Game

• Deployment, retrieval and repair of gill nets
• Small craft operation and maintenance (17’ & 18’ vessels)
• Examination of white seabass for coded wire tags (CWT)
• Measurement and aging of white seabass using saggital otoliths

Study of Fish Assemblages in the Port of Los Angeles (2003-2006)
Port of Los Angeles

• Fish transects at depths to 25 m using SCUBA

Wet Lab Assistant, California State University, Northridge (2004-2006)

• Care of animals used for research and as classroom teaching aides

Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP) Nearshore Survey (2004-2005)
Cooperative Research and Assessment of Nearshore Ecosystems (CRANE)

• Identification and size/density estimation of fish, invertebrates, and algae along 30 m transects using SCUBA

Bight '03: Southern California Coastal Water Research Project 2003 Regional Survey Field Sampling and Laboratory Analyses Project (2003)
Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP)

• 800 m otter trawls in Santa Monica Bay

Intern/Aquarist, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL (2001)

• Care of Galleries 2 (South America), 3 (Northeast Pacific Ocean), 4 (Illinois Lakes and Streams), and 5 (Africa and Australia)
• Approximately 20 tanks per gallery
• Tanks range in size from 300 to 6000 gallons
• Included fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and mammals
• Assisted in training of North American river otters (Lutra canadensis)
• Fish, reptile and invertebrate husbandry

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION
SCUBA

• 401 logged dives with 12974 min of bottom time (up to 35 meters)
• PADI Open Water Diver (2004)
• NAUI Master Scuba Diver (2004)
• American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) Scientific Diver (2004)
• Heartsaver First Aid (2004)
• Oxygen First Aid for Scuba Diving Injuries (2004)
• Caulerpa taxifolia Control Protocol Certification (2006)

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Western Society of Naturalists, 2003-Present
• American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists, 2004-Present
• American Academy of Underwater Sciences, 2004-Present
• Southern California Academy of Sciences, 2006-Present
• International Biogeography Society, 2006-Present
• American Fisheries Society, 2007-Present

PUBLICATIONS

Pondella, D. J., II, J. P. Williams and E. F. Miller.  2009. (Abstract) The ichthyoplankton of King Harbor, Redondo Beach, California, 1974-2006.  Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences 108(2):121 (.pdf)

Miller, E. F., J. P. Williams, D. J. Pondella, II and K. T. Herbinson. 2009. Life history, ecology and long-term demographics of queenfish (Seriphus politus). Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science 1:187–199 / DOI: 10.1577/C08-018.1 / (pdf)

Williams JP, LG Allen, MA Steele, DJ Pondella II. 2007. El Niño periods increase growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) in the Southern California Bight. Marine Biology 152(1): 193-200 / DOI: 10.1007/s00227-007-0673-5 / (pdf)

Williams, J. 2006. The relationship between El Niño/Southern Oscillation events and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) in the Southern California Bight from 1997 to 2004. MS thesis. California State University, Northridge. (pdf)

Williams, J. 2006. The relationship between El Niño/Southern Oscillation events and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis). (Abstract) Southern California Academy of Sciences Bulletin 105 (2-1): 26 (.pdf)

REVIEWER FOR:

• Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences
• Fisheries Research
• NOAA - National Marine Fisheries Service

TECHNICAL REPORTS

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S. Spring 2009. Quarterly Receiving Water Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery.

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S. 2009.  The Rocky Reef Resources of the Port of Los Angeles: A Progress Report on Research Activities in Conjunction with SCCWRP’s Bight ’08 Rocky Reef Program.

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S. Fall 2008. Quarterly Receiving Water Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery.

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  October 2008.  Enhanced Receiving Water Monitoring Report (February 2007 to November 2007) Associated with Chevron's El Segundo Ocean Outfall. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  August 2008.  Annual Receiving Water Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S. May 2008. Quarterly Receiving Water Monitoring Report.  Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337). 

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  February 2008.  Semi-annual Water Quality and Chemistry Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  December 2007.  Quarterly Receiving Water Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  November 2007.  Enhanced Receiving Water Monitoring Report (February 2006 to November 2006) Associated with Chevron's El Segundo Ocean Outfall. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  August 2007.  Annual Receiving Water Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  May 2007.  Quarterly Receiving Water Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  February 2007.  Semi-annual Water Quality and Chemistry Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

Daniel J. Pondella, II, Ph.D. and Jonathan Williams, M.S.  November 2006.  Quarterly Receiving Water Monitoring Report. Chevron Products Company, El Segundo Refinery (NPDES permit No. CA000337).

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

Williams, J., D. Pondella II, and J. Claisse. Getting to know your South Coast MPAs: Nearshore rocky reef ecology of Point Vicente SMR. Southern California Academy of Sciences - Los Angeles, CA, 2010.

Williams, J., D. Pondella II, and E. Miller.  Life history of the spotfin croaker (Roncador stearnsii): an otolith based update to a 47 year old study.  International Otolith Symposium - Monterey, CA, 2009.

Williams, J., D. Pondella II, and E. Miller.  Life history of the spotfin croaker (Roncador stearnsii) and the potential impact of once-through cooling systems.  American Fisheries Society - San Francisco, CA, 2007.

Williams, J.  The relationship between El Niño/Southern Oscillation events and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis).  American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists – New Orleans, LA, 2006.

Williams, J.  The relationship between El Niño/Southern Oscillation events and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis).  Southern California Academy of Sciences – Malibu, CA, 2006.

Williams, J.  Otolith structure and the age and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis).  CSUN Student Works Symposium – Northridge, CA, 2005 (Poster)

Williams, J.  Otolith structure and the age and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis).  American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists – Tampa, FL, 2005 (Poster)

Williams, J. and L. Allen.  Age and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) including an investigation into the significance of subannular ring formation.  CSUN Student Works Symposium – Northridge, CA, 2004 (Poster)

Williams, J. and L. Allen.  Age and growth of juvenile white seabass (Atractoscion nobilis) including an investigation into the significance of subannular ring formation.  Western Society of Naturalists – Sonoma County, CA, 2004 (Poster)

COAUTHORED PRESENTATIONS

Pondella, D. J., II, J. P. Williams and E. F. Miller. The ichthyoplankton of King Harbor, Redondo Beach, California, 1974-2006.  Southern California Academy of Sciences - Marymount College, 2009.

Pondella, D. J., II, J. Williams and E. Miller. 2008. The ichthyoplankton of King Harbor, Redondo Beach, California, 1974-2006. Understanding the Environmental Effects of Once Through Cooling, Research Results Symposium - University of California, Davis, 2008.

Pondella II, D., J. Williams, E. Miller.  The ichthyoplankton of King Harbor, Redondo Beach from 1974-present. American Fisheries Society - San Francisco, CA, 2007.

GUEST LECTURES

2008, Occidental College, Oceanology. "Fishes: Classification, Form & Function, and Ecology; The Power of Observation."

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

• Dr. Dan Pondella II, pondella@oxy.edu, Assistant Professor, Occidental College
• Dr. Larry Allen, larry.allen@csun.edu, Professor of Biology, CSUN
• Dr. Michael Franklin, drmfranklin@aol.com, Associate Professor, CSUN
• Dr. Mark Steele, steele@csun.edu, Post-Doctoral Researcher/Lecturer, CSUN

(updated 8/09)