I have more than 25 years of professional experience operating a world-class fisheries research laboratory (Age and Longevity Research) with proficiency in specimen preparations, microscopy and structural growth interpretation, fine-scale micromilling of biogenic materials, and pioneering use of analytical instrumentation in life history and paleoclimate studies. I am an expert in the use of sclerochronology to establish valid timelines and life history parameters for aquatic organisms. My work has evolved into a long line of pioneering bio-geo-chemistry applications used to challenge existing life history studies with the development of innovative techniques in age estimation and validation. My career pursuits cover numerous disciplines within marine science and continues to directly involve research in ichthyology, radiochemistry, marine ecology, and chemical-physical oceanography.
This line of work began with the work I did for my Master of Sciences degree in Marine Science from Moss Landing Marine Labs (MLML) - California State University in 1997. My thesis involved validating the life span of Pacific grenadier (Coryphaenoides acrolepis) — a deep-sea fish found along the deep slopes of the northern Pacific Ocean — at over 54 years. I continued this research for more than 10 years at MLML through grant and contract funding and operated the Age and Longevity Research Laboratory. My work at MLML led to the confirmation of high life spans for numerous marine organisms, some at more than 100 years, and pioneering use of the New Wave Research micromilling machine (http://www.nwrlasers.com ).
In 2009, I finished a PhD in Ichthyology and Fisheries Science at Rhodes University in South Africa by working to validate the age and longevity of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides; commonly known as the Chilean sea bass) and orange roughy (Hoplostethus atlanticus) using lead-radium dating. At that time, I relocated the Age and Longevity Research Lab to Hawaii when I joined the Life History Program at NOAA Fisheries. My research focus with NOAA was working to determine the age, growth, and longevity of important tropical reef and bottom fishes from the Hawaiian Archipelago and farther abroad in the western central Pacific Ocean. The first species I worked with was opakapaka (Pristipomoides filamentosus; Hawaiian pink snapper) — the work utilized both lead-radium and bomb radiocarbon dating and was the first of its kind in the region. This research continued with other fishes and corals from various regions of the world’s oceans — see Fishes, Invertebrates, and Miscellaneous blogs on my personal website for a list and description of work-to-date under MLML, NOAA, and the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
I have moved on from NOAA and I am now working from Sweden with my wife and family. Work I recently published on freshwater fishes (bigmouth buffalo and alligator gar) and the most valuable fisheries in the world (yellowfin and bigeye tuna), along with advances in I’ve made in the use of innovative technology (LA-AMS), have led to opportunities that I am using to continue with making connections to do this research throughout the world.
Thank you for your interest and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or opportunities to do research. I am open for business.
Age and growth estimation and validation of freshwater fishes.
Age estimation of marine fishes using state-of-the-art methodologies.
State-of-the-art radiocarbon assays - Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.
Connecting marine and maritime industry with science.